Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence reportedly failed another drug test, won't play Saturday (Update)
Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence was supposed to make his 2014 debut on Saturday against Kent State, but the junior was ruled ineligible on Friday and his OSU career may be in jeopardy.
Eleven Warriors was the first to report that Spence, who was suspended for the first three games of this season and last season’s Orange Bowl, failed a drug test. Spence’s initial suspension stemmed from testing positive for ecstasy before last season’s Big Ten Championship Game.
Per BuckeyeGrove.com, Ohio State subsequently confirmed in a statement that Spence will not play Saturday due to a violation of OSU and Big Ten rules. The school did not specify the violation.
"Ohio State junior Noah Spence is ineligible to play for the Buckeyes tomorrow against Kent State because of a university and Big Ten Conference rule violation," the statement read. "Ohio State and the Spence family will continue to work with the Big Ten until there is a final resolution to this matter."
Spence's parents spoke with Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch and confirmed that their son tested positive for ecstasy again and said that he has a "medical illness." The results of the test were revealed "late this week," after Spence was listed on Tuesday's depth chart.
“We love him dearly, and our focus is to get him the best medical attention we can,” Greg and Helen Spence said in an email to The Dispatch. “We are hopeful that Noah can get healthy and, at some point, resume his career with the Buckeyes.”
Spence's parents met with head coach Urban Meyer, defensive line coach Larry Johnson and their son on Thursday afternoon. According to May, Spence "revealed his problems to his parents" at that meeting.
Folliowing his initial suspension, Spence’s family maintained that the defensive end took the drug “unintentionally” when he was given a drink at a party. When Spence revealed his issues, his parents were surprised but proud that "he had the strength to be honest about it" and take "ownership of it."
May wrote that Spence is "likely suspended indefinitely" since he tested positive for a second time. Spence's parents said that the defensive end will remain on scholarship.
The 6-foot-3, 252-pound Spence, a junior, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2013 after leading the Buckeyes with eight sacks, good for second-best in the conference. He also registered 52 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss.
Spence, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., was a five-star recruit in the class of 2012 that Rivals ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the country.
For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.
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