Ohio State redshirt-freshman defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle has been reinstated to the football program an OSU spokesman confirmed to The Lantern Monday evening.
OSU coach Urban Meyer also confirmed at a Monday press conference following practice that Sprinkle had been reinstated, but said he will still face additional steps before he plays for the Buckeyes.
“He lost his scholarship for the summer, so he’s going to have to pay for his scholarship,” Meyer said. “He’s going to be suspended for the first game. He’s got, every week, community service and a multitude of other things to take care of business before he’ll ever see the field.”
Sprinkle was part of the morning session of the opening day of fall camp Monday.
Sprinkle was arrested following an early morning fight outside a Lorain, Ohio bar July 5, and was originally charged with rioting, failure to disperse, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cocaine before pleading no contest to a reduced failure to comply charge July 31.
According to the court reports, Sprinkle received a 30-day suspended sentence in addition to a $500 fine and two years of probation. The felony charge for possession of cocaine was dropped.
Meyer confirmed that Sprinkle’s reinstatement stemmed from the drug charges being dropped, in addition to his negative test for cocaine. Meyer said if anything had shown up on the drug test, Sprinkle would not have been part of the team going forward.
The Elyria High School graduate has never appeared in a game for the Buckeyes after enrolling early and redshirting in 2013.
OSU is scheduled to begin the 2014 season against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for noon.
