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Terrelle Pryor (born June 20, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2008−2010. Considered the most recruited high school football-basketball athlete in southwestern Pennsylvania since Tom Clements,[1] Pryor was widely regarded as the nation's top football prospect of 2008, and was named "Junior of the Year" by Rivals.com.[2] Pryor originally hoped to be a two-sport athlete as he was also one of the nation's most heralded high school basketball players, but he has chosen to focus on football
In high school, Pryor was clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash,[4] and because of his athleticism and 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) frame, he drew comparisons to former Texas standout Vince Young.[5] Pryor also lived up to his recruiting ranking as a basketball player by leading the Jeannette Jayhawks to win their first WPIAL Championship in over 20 years, and then on to win the Pennsylvania PIAA state basketball championship game as a senior. During his junior year, he led the Jayhawks to their first Pennsylvania PIAA Class "AA" state football championship game where they lost to the Warriors of Wilson Area High School.[6] During the 2007 football season, Pryor and the Jayhawks repeated as champions of the WPIAL. In the Pennsylvania state semi-finals against Wilmington, Terrelle became the first player in Pennsylvania history to run for 4,000 yards and also throw for 4,000 yards. The following week, Pryor led the Jayhawks to their first-ever Pennsylvania state championship by defeating the Dunmore Bucks, 49-21.[7][8] At the conclusion of the season, Pryor had quarterbacked the Jayhawks to a Pennsylvania state season record of 860 points.[9] Pryor's high school accomplishments include being the two-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year, the offensive Player of the Year and the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Pryor was widely considered[by whom?] the top football recruit in the Class of 2008. He was ranked number four in the ESPNU 150 and the number one quarterback. Throughout his high school career, Pryor acquired numerous scholarship offers, initially committing to the hometown University of Pittsburgh to play basketball under coach Jamie Dixon. However, by his senior year his top interests were Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Oregon. Sports Illustrated called Pryor's announcement "the most anticipated signing day announcement in history."[12]
Pryor originally intended to announce his decision on February 6, National Signing Day, but later changed his mind, stating he still had not decided among Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State.[13][14] Following the Jeannette basketball team's state championship victory on March 15, Pryor stated he would make his college decision within one week.[15] On March 19, 2008 Pryor announced at a press conference that he would attend Ohio State University
Pryor saw limited action in the Buckeye's season opener against Youngstown State. He took more snaps against USC on September 13, 2008, completing 7 of 9 passes for 59 yards, as well as rushing for 40 yards on 11 carries.
On September 20, 2008, Pryor threw for four touchdowns (an Ohio State record for a freshman) and one interception in his first career start for Ohio State. Ohio State beat Troy 28-10. On October 4, 2008, Pryor ran for the winning touchdown against Wisconsin on an option play with running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. On October 25, 2008 against Penn State Pryor threw for a career high 226 yards, connecting on 16 of 25 passes.[17] Against Illinois on November 15, 2008, Pryor had his first career 100 yard rushing day running for 110 yards and a touchdown. In the Fiesta Bowl he lined up at receiver and caught his first touchdown pass in college. Pryor led Ohio State to a 8-1 record as a starter in his freshman year; his only loss as a starter was against Penn State. (Todd Boeckman made the start in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas.) Following the 2008 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media and Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the coaches
Before his sophomore year began he ran a 4.33 forty in a race against Ray Small and many others.[19] He was the fastest Buckeye in 2009.[19] In his sophomore year Pryor led the Buckeyes to another Big Ten Championship. After starting the season slow he eventually developed into a better passer, and went on to earn the 2010 Rose Bowl MVP trophy after leading Ohio State to a 26-17 victory over Oregon. Pryor had the best passing game of his career, and also rushed for 72 yards. Following the 2009 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media.[20]
Entering 2010, Ohio State began second in most polls and Pryor began the season as a favorite for numerous awards. On September 25, 2010, Pryor had a break-out game in a 73-20 win over Eastern Michigan. He had 6 total touchdowns, including one rushing and one receiving. Following the 2010 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by both the coaches and the media.[21] He was edged out by Denard Robinson as the 2010 Big Ten Conference MVP as voted by the Big Ten coaches. They had the same number of first place votes.[22]
On December 23, 2010, the NCAA ruled that Pryor and four of his teammates would be suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, as a sanction for selling memorabilia
Terrelle Pryor (born June 20, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2008−2010. Considered the most recruited high school football-basketball athlete in southwestern Pennsylvania since Tom Clements,[1] Pryor was widely regarded as the nation's top football prospect of 2008, and was named "Junior of the Year" by Rivals.com.[2] Pryor originally hoped to be a two-sport athlete as he was also one of the nation's most heralded high school basketball players, but he has chosen to focus on football
In high school, Pryor was clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash,[4] and because of his athleticism and 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) frame, he drew comparisons to former Texas standout Vince Young.[5] Pryor also lived up to his recruiting ranking as a basketball player by leading the Jeannette Jayhawks to win their first WPIAL Championship in over 20 years, and then on to win the Pennsylvania PIAA state basketball championship game as a senior. During his junior year, he led the Jayhawks to their first Pennsylvania PIAA Class "AA" state football championship game where they lost to the Warriors of Wilson Area High School.[6] During the 2007 football season, Pryor and the Jayhawks repeated as champions of the WPIAL. In the Pennsylvania state semi-finals against Wilmington, Terrelle became the first player in Pennsylvania history to run for 4,000 yards and also throw for 4,000 yards. The following week, Pryor led the Jayhawks to their first-ever Pennsylvania state championship by defeating the Dunmore Bucks, 49-21.[7][8] At the conclusion of the season, Pryor had quarterbacked the Jayhawks to a Pennsylvania state season record of 860 points.[9] Pryor's high school accomplishments include being the two-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year, the offensive Player of the Year and the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Pryor was widely considered[by whom?] the top football recruit in the Class of 2008. He was ranked number four in the ESPNU 150 and the number one quarterback. Throughout his high school career, Pryor acquired numerous scholarship offers, initially committing to the hometown University of Pittsburgh to play basketball under coach Jamie Dixon. However, by his senior year his top interests were Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Oregon. Sports Illustrated called Pryor's announcement "the most anticipated signing day announcement in history."[12]
Pryor originally intended to announce his decision on February 6, National Signing Day, but later changed his mind, stating he still had not decided among Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State.[13][14] Following the Jeannette basketball team's state championship victory on March 15, Pryor stated he would make his college decision within one week.[15] On March 19, 2008 Pryor announced at a press conference that he would attend Ohio State University
Pryor saw limited action in the Buckeye's season opener against Youngstown State. He took more snaps against USC on September 13, 2008, completing 7 of 9 passes for 59 yards, as well as rushing for 40 yards on 11 carries.
On September 20, 2008, Pryor threw for four touchdowns (an Ohio State record for a freshman) and one interception in his first career start for Ohio State. Ohio State beat Troy 28-10. On October 4, 2008, Pryor ran for the winning touchdown against Wisconsin on an option play with running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. On October 25, 2008 against Penn State Pryor threw for a career high 226 yards, connecting on 16 of 25 passes.[17] Against Illinois on November 15, 2008, Pryor had his first career 100 yard rushing day running for 110 yards and a touchdown. In the Fiesta Bowl he lined up at receiver and caught his first touchdown pass in college. Pryor led Ohio State to a 8-1 record as a starter in his freshman year; his only loss as a starter was against Penn State. (Todd Boeckman made the start in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas.) Following the 2008 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media and Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the coaches
Before his sophomore year began he ran a 4.33 forty in a race against Ray Small and many others.[19] He was the fastest Buckeye in 2009.[19] In his sophomore year Pryor led the Buckeyes to another Big Ten Championship. After starting the season slow he eventually developed into a better passer, and went on to earn the 2010 Rose Bowl MVP trophy after leading Ohio State to a 26-17 victory over Oregon. Pryor had the best passing game of his career, and also rushed for 72 yards. Following the 2009 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media.[20]
Entering 2010, Ohio State began second in most polls and Pryor began the season as a favorite for numerous awards. On September 25, 2010, Pryor had a break-out game in a 73-20 win over Eastern Michigan. He had 6 total touchdowns, including one rushing and one receiving. Following the 2010 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by both the coaches and the media.[21] He was edged out by Denard Robinson as the 2010 Big Ten Conference MVP as voted by the Big Ten coaches. They had the same number of first place votes.[22]
On December 23, 2010, the NCAA ruled that Pryor and four of his teammates would be suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, as a sanction for selling memorabilia
