THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Sources close to the Ohio State football program confirmed last night that reserve safety Eugene
Clifford has been granted a release that would allow him to pursue his football career at another
school.
Coach Jim Tressel could not be reached for comment, and attempts to reach Clifford were
unsuccessful.
The sources said Clifford had interest from several schools, including Louisville, Eastern
Kentucky and Western Carolina, but it appears he is most interested in transferring to Tennessee
State. Located in Nashville, Tenn., the school is in the NCAA Division I Football Championship
Subdivision, meaning Clifford would be eligible to play this fall.
Clifford, from Cincinnati Colerain, had a troubled stay at Ohio State. One of the top-ranked
prospects in the 2006 recruiting class, he was suspended from the trip to the national championship
game last season after breaking unspecified team rules. On July 4 weekend, he was arrested in
Cincinnati after allegedly punching two employees of the Holy Grail sports bar while the employees
were trying to break up a fight.
Clifford played on special teams last season.
Tressel had said a little over a week ago that a decision on Clifford's future at Ohio State
likely would be made this week.
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