Former Ohio State running back stands in the end zone during warmups of a game against Illinois Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. OSU won, 17-7.
Lantern file photo
Former Ohio State running back Jaamal Berry had it in his head that he was going to be able to showcase his talents for NFL scouts and general managers at OSU’s Pro Day Friday.
But then Berry said he was told he couldn’t, because of an NFL rule that was “new” to him.
“I guess it’s a rule that I could only do it in my hometown, like a hometown state school or school I was just attending,” Berry said.
That school was Murray State in Murray, Ky., where Berry transferred to prior to the 2012 season. He was suspended from the OSU football team Nov. 2, 2011, after his involvement with an incident that saw him charged with assault, battery and disorderly conduct.
Former Buckeye linebacker Etienne Sabino — who graduated from OSU after the 2012 season — was allowed to participate Friday, because of a rule that allows players who are just one year removed and not with an NFL team to work out at their former college, an OSU spokesman said.
In Berry’s case, he was unable to work out Friday with former Buckeyes who he called “some of his best friends” because he has not been at the school since being charged.
An OSU spokesman said Friday he “was under the impression” Berry was going to work out Friday.
“(I thought) that he had gotten some approval like that,” the spokesman said.
Despite the circumstances under which Berry left OSU, he said he still views his time at OSU as a positive in his life.
“Leaving here was a big wake up call for me, even going to a smaller school,” Berry said. “A lot of things that I got here wasn’t going down at Murray State. It made me grow up real fast and appreciate the moment, live in the moment. So I’m definitely grateful for that.”
Berry played in 11 games as a Buckeye from 2010-11, averaging 25.4 yards per kickoff return after being recruited by former OSU coach Jim Tressel.
Berry said he called his former coach after he graduated from Murray State in December, to thank him.
“When I graduated and finished I let him know I graduated and thanked him for the opportunity to experience some of the best years of my life to come here,” Berry said.
The former OSU running back — who is from Pinecrest, Fla. — said he might go back to his home state to see if he can get a chance to show scouts what he can do, after he talks to his agent.
