OHIO STATE FOOTBALL

Thompson will miss 3 months with injury

Central grad breaks ankle at OSU practice

8/7/2013

Thompson

KIRK IRWIN

COLUMBUS — Central Catholic graduate Jayme Thompson’s first season at Ohio State took a hard-luck detour Wednesday.

Thompson suffered a broken left ankle that will sideline him for three months, his father, Deon, said.

The freshman safety remained stoic as he was carted off the Buckeyes’ outdoor practice fields early in the team’s second full-pads session of fall camp. But the result of the X-rays hit hard. Thompson will undergo surgery today to have screws placed in his ankle.

"Jayme was pretty upset," Deon Thompson said. "He just felt like he wants to be out there helping the guys get ready for battle. This is a potential national championship year, and he really wanted to contribute, and he thought all indications pointed toward an opportunity for that to happen. It’s hard not being out there."

But he added: "He’ll be back. You’ll see."

A four-star prospect who helped lead the Fighting Irish to a Division II state title last season, Thompson had impressed OSU coaches.

Behind senior starters Christian Bryant and C.J. Barnett, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Thompson appeared in the fray for a backup or nickel role, competing against five-star freshman — and his summer roommate — Vonn Bell, redshirt freshman Tyvis Powell, sophomore Devan Bogard, and senior Corey Brown among others. He was working with the second and third teams, and a strong candidate to play on special teams.

Bryant said his designated "little brother" had adjusted well. Before learning the extent of the injury, Bryant said Thompson is "going to overcome this because I feel like he knows what he has to do to contribute to this team, whether it be on special teams or defense."

Thompson hopes to return to practice in November, though he will likely redshirt and have four years of eligibility remaining.

As a senior at Central last season, he had 48 tackles, an interception, and two fumble recoveries.

MILLER CLEARED: Ohio State has cleared Braxton Miller of any wrongdoing after memorabilia autographed by the quarterback appeared on an auction Web site, a school spokesman said today.

Three footballs and a mini-helmet signed by Miller were being hawked on eBay by a seller who also has several items from Johnny Manziel — the Heisman-winning quarterback at Texas A&M reportedly under investigation for profiting from his autographs. ESPN reported Manziel accepted a "five-figure flat fee" from a broker in exchange for a signing session in January.

An OSU official said there is "no issue" with Miller. A brief investigation reportedly found that Miller had signed the merchandise during a fan autograph session before last month’s Big Ten kickoff luncheon in Chicago.

Per the NCAA’s bylaws on amateurism, players can not cash in on their celebrity.

GET READY: The Buckeyes officially enter training-camp mode Friday as their practices shift from the team facility to nearby Ackerman Field. Twelve practices in nine days will ensue.

“Right now, this is all candy," coach Urban Meyer said. "I'll talk to you in about a week. People will be asleep on the mattresses by now. Camp is terrible. But we're not in camp yet. This is just practice.”

Asked if he wished for hotter weather to toughen the team, Meyer said, "Just see what goes on next week at Ackerman Field. It's awful."

EXTRA POINTS: Starting left guard Andrew Norwell was carted off with an apparent foot injury, and did not return. There was no update on his status. Redshirt freshman Pat Elflein and sophomore Chase Farris filled in on the first team. ... Freshman Dontre Wilson remained the buzz of camp, showcasing his speed as both a back and receiver. "He’s got something that we didn’t have last year and that’s just ‘jets,’” Meyer said. ... Barnett labeled Bradley Roby the best second-team cornerback in the country. Roby practiced with the second team as he awaits punishment from a misdemeanor assault charge last month. Senior running back Carlos Hyde, who faces a three-game suspension, is also practicing.

Contact David Briggs at: dbriggs@theblade.com, 419-724-6084 or on Twitter @DBriggsBlade.