Ohio State announced Monday that wide receiver James Clark would graduate in the spring and not return to the football team. The move would put Ohio State at 88 scholarships, still three above the limit.
Another shoe dropped shortly thereafter.
Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch first reported Monday afternoon that redshirt freshman offensive lineman Tyler Gerald, a four-star 2016 signee from IMG Academy by way of Portsmouth, Ohio, has left the team.
Several sources said Gerald quit taking part in the off-season conditioning program a couple of weeks ago. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
An Ohio State spokesman confirmed Gerald's exit to Eleven Warriors and Urban Meyer spoke of the departure in his first spring practice press conference.
"He just quit," Meyer said. "I had nothing to do with that one."
Gerald is the third offensive lineman to leave the program during this offseason cycle. Kyle Trout intends to graduate this spring and play at Cincinnati in the fall. Evan Lisle transferred to Duke.
The move takes Ohio State to 87 scholarships, still two above the NCAA limit. OSU has until it plays Indiana on Aug. 31 to get to 85 scholarships.
The Buckeyes start spring drills Tuesday.
