Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett was arrested and cited for operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OVI) early Saturday morning. As a result, he has been suspended for next Saturday’s game against Minnesota. The Buckeyes are on a bye this weekend.
BREAKING: Columbus Police sources: J.T. Barrett arrested for OVI early Saturday morning near campus. https://t.co/D9nyHWep6D
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) October 31, 2015
According to a story by ElevenWarriors.com, Barrett was pulled over by the Columbus Police Department north of the Ohio State campus after attempting to avoid an OVI checkpoint. He was administered a breathalyzer test which registered slightly over Ohio’s legal limit of .08. The 20-year-old Barrett was later released and picked up by fellow OSU quarterback Cardale Jones.
Barrett started his first game of the season last Saturday on the road against Rutgers, replacing Jones who had been largely inconsistent for most of the season. He was immediately the shot in the arm OSU needed at the position. In a 49-7 rout of the Scarlet Knights, Barrett threw for 223 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while also rushing for 101 yards and adding two scores on the ground.
The above Eleven Warriors report cites a statement from athletic director Gene Smith saying that since the offense was a misdemeanor, Barrett is not subject to a mandatory two-week suspension as per the student-athlete code of conduct. That said, there are grounds for him to be assessed such a penalty since it’s an alcohol-related offense and he’s under the age of 21.
Smith also stated that the length of the suspension is at the discretion of head coach Urban Meyer. As such, it’s likely he will only miss next Saturday’s game in Columbus.
Jones will reassume his duties as starting quarterback in place of Barrett next week against the Golden Gophers.
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