Ohio State Urban Meyer said during Big Ten Media Days that he would wait until he had all the facts to make a decision on the future of Carlos Hyde, who had been suspended for his alleged involvement in an assault case that took place earlier this month.
Well, here are the facts: despite what a grainy video may or may not show, no charges will be filed against the running back.
Still, Meyer has taken it upon himself to hand down disciplinary action. In a statement Tuesday night, Meyer said Hyde, the team’s leading rusher among running backs last year, will be suspended for at least the first three games of the season (Buffalo, San Diego State, at California).
“Carlos Hyde will be suspended for at least the first three games of the 2013 season for conduct not representative of this football program or this university,” Meyer said. “He will be required to fulfill additional obligations before he is allowed to play in a game.”
Meyer said during media days last week that he was infuriated by recent off-the-field incidents involving his players and vowed to take a stricter approach to discipline.
Did he get it right with Hyde? You could argue that, since Hyde is technically cleared in the eyes of the law, Meyer didn’t have to suspend him at all.