Ohio State Releases Rod Smith From Program

The troubled tale of Rod Smith and Ohio State came to an end on Tuesday, as coach Urban Meyer announced the running back had been dismissed from the football team

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What began with potential brimming with promise came to a troubling end on Tuesday, as Ohio State coach Urban Meyer announced that running back Rod Smith was dismissed from the team.

“Rod Smith has left the Ohio State football team in order to deal with some personal issues,” Meyer said through a released statement Tuesday afternoon. “We will continue to support Rod and we wish him the best.”

Smith, who reportedly failed a drug test, will retain his scholarship, as he is on pace to graduate from Ohio State.

The dismissal was the final chapter of what had been a series of incidents surrounding Smith, who arrived to Columbus as one of the nation’s top prep backs. Verbal disputes with coaches, along with missing the team plane for the Gator Bowl in 2011, were also compounded with his inability to hold on to the ball when given a chance to play extensively.

Smith had rushed for 104 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries this season and had also become a special teams standout for the Buckeyes. His play of late had gained the trust of Meyer.

“He was out the gate in spring, a non-factor,” Meyer said earlier this month. “When I was getting ready for training camp, there was part of me saying we probably won’t have a back.

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