Ohio State backup running back Rod Smith left the team for in order to deal with personal issues, the university said Tuesday. Various media outlets reported late Monday that Smith failed a drug test and was dismissed from the prorgram, but Ohio State did not mention a dismissal in its statement. “Rod Smith has left the Ohio State football team in order to deal with some personal issues. We will continue to support Rod and we wish him the best,” coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. Meyer later said during a conference call that there were no plans for Smith to return to the team this season but that he will continue to be on scholarship. Smith, a senior, rushed for 101 yards and four touchdowns and added a touchdown catch as mostly a short-yardage back this season. He also contributed on special teams. Smith, who was a highly sought recruit out of Fort Wayne, Ind., has largely fallen short of expectations during his college career. Earlier this year, coach Urban Meyer said he didn’t expect to have Smith on the team this season because of previous issues that included academics. “My turnaround, basically I made up my mind that enough was enough,” Smith told ESPN.com recently. “This is my last year to go out and help this team and try to get film and try to get myself ready for the next level. “We all just sat down, and after the incidents happened, I just made sure I was going to work my butt off to contribute to this team and not let the running backs down. They never turned their back on me. When I was doing all that stuff, they never shied away from me.” Sophomore Ezekiel Elliott and freshman Curtis Samuel are the Buckeyes’ top two running backs on the depth chart. …
Continue Reading: Ohio State RB Smith off the team
