Urban Meyer Updates J.T. Barrett Suspension, Scholarship Loss
Urban Meyer discussed J.T. Barrett's suspension from the team on Monday following his OVI arrest. Barrett will also lose his scholarship, in addition to being sidelined.
Urban Meyer and his Ohio State Buckeyes were able to spend the bye week preparing for this Saturday’s game against Minnesota, but Meyer certainly couldn’t enjoy the slight break.
Meyer spoke about the suspension during his press conference Monday and said Barrett will forfeit his scholarship for one term with a chance to earn it back. “As of now,” Barrett won’t lose his captaincy. Meyer also said that Barrett didn’t need to be suspended, but he chose to do so anyway.
Barrett was “blown away, devastated” when he showed up to Meyer’s house. “All his concern was about the team, as you can imagine,” Meyer said. Barrett told his coach he “felt fine,” and “it didn’t even cross his mind” that he was driving illegally. “I was just trying to give someone a ride home,” Barrett stated.
Here’s more of what Meyer had to say about the situation:
On the decision to suspend Barrett
“If I look back now, the biggest mistake I probably gave second chances to some people that maybe shouldn’t.”
On whether Barrett will regain the starting spot
“If he’s good enough and if he’s earned that … I haven’t gone that far yet.”
On the suspension
“He has to go to counseling and some other things through the university. That will be done.”
On Barrett’s character
“When people start attacking with who he is, especially when they don’t know him, that’s going to be the toughest thing he’s ever had to deal with… Now there are some questions of who you are.”
On a 6 a.m text message informing him of Barrett’s arrest
“I woke up and asked Shelley, ‘did I read this right?’ Then I dealt with it in the next six hours.”
On Braxton Miller being the backup quarterback
“There’s no question he’s our No. 2 quarterback.”
On Miller transitioning back to quarterback
“He can throw. Is he ready to throw? That’s what we’re going to work on this week.”
Ohio State and Minnesota will kick off at 7 p.m. E.T. on Saturday.
