Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor (born June 20, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). 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, Pryor was widely regarded as the nation's top football prospect of 2008, and was named "Junior of the Year" by Rivals.com. 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 later chose to focus on football.

High school career
At Jeannette High School, Pryor was clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and because of his athleticism and 6 ft frame, he drew comparisons to former Texas standout Vince Young. 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. 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. At the conclusion of the season, Pryor had quarterbacked the Jayhawks to a Pennsylvania state season record of 860 points. 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.

College recruiting
Pryor was widely considered one of the top football recruits 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, Oregon and West Virginia. Sports Illustrated called Pryor's announcement "the most anticipated signing day announcement in history."

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. Following the Jeannette basketball team's state championship victory on March 15, Pryor stated he would make his college decision within one week. On March 19, 2008 Pryor announced at a press conference that he would attend The Ohio State University.

College career
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. 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 40-yard dash in a race against Ray Small and many others. He was the fastest Buckeye in 2009. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Awards and honors

 * 2007 Hall Trophy (U.S. Army Player of the Year)
 * 2007 PARADE National Player of the Year and All-American
 * 2008 Pete Dawkins Trophy (U.S. Army All-American Bowl MVP)
 * 2008 U.S. Army All-American MVP
 * 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (coaches)
 * 2008 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
 * 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Sportsmanship Award
 * 2009 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
 * 2009 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
 * 2010 Rose Bowl MVP
 * 2010 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
 * 2010 Big Ten MVP runner-up
 * 2011 Miller-Digby Award (Vacated award due to NCAA sanctions)

NCAA investigation
On May 31, 2011, head coach Jim Tressel resigned following the reports of players receiving improper benefits. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the NCAA and Ohio State are investigating more than 50 vehicle purchases by Buckeyes players, family members and friends over the past. Sports Illustrated reported that Pryor drove up to eight cars in his three years at Ohio State.

Multiple media outlets also reported that Pryor had been driving on a license that was suspended by the State of Ohio. He drove a Nissan 350Z to a team meeting and workout. ESPN reported that his suspension was to expire on August 18, 2011.

In a subsequent report, ESPN also alleged that Pryor made thousands of dollars autographing memorabilia for a local booster, a charge denied by Pryor's attorney.

Departure
On June 7, 2011, it was announced that Pryor had chosen to withdraw from the university.

On June 26, 2011, Pryor was banned from all contact with the university's athletic program and new incoming recruits. This caused him to become eligible for the NFL's Supplemental Draft.

2011 NFL Draft
Pryor held his Pro Day on August 20, 2011, in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where representatives from 17 NFL teams were present, including the Oakland Raiders. As was widely anticipated, Pryor demonstrated excellent athleticism and speed for a 6' 4½" athlete weighing in at 240 pounds. His 40-yard dash times were clocked from 4.32 to 4.54 seconds, a range of times considered extremely fast for an athlete of his height and weight.  Some scouts noted that the turf he ran on was soft, and that he would be even faster on the harder turf he might often encounter in the NFL.  His throwing wasn't as impressive, as he completed 27 of 39 passes for just under a 70% completion rate, with 4 of those passes dropped by receivers.  Quarterbacks are usually expected to complete around 90% of their passes on their Pro Days, as there are no defenders to prevent the passes from being completed to their receivers.

2011
The Oakland Raiders selected Pryor in the third round of the 2011 Supplemental Draft on August 22, 2011; he was the last pick longtime owner Al Davis made in his tenure with the Raiders. Three days later, Pryor and the Raiders agreed to a 4-year contract. Pryor served an NFL-mandated 5-game suspension at the beginning of the 2011 NFL season (the suspension being from the Ohio State scandal), but was still able to work out with the club. Pryor was reinstated the day following the team's win over Houston.

On October 23, 2011, in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Pryor saw his first NFL action. He lined up at the wide receiver spot, motioned behind center and ran a quarterback sneak. The play was nullified due to a false start penalty on Pryor.

2012
Pryor sat most of the 2012 season, but was the starting quarterback in the season finale against the San Diego Chargers after season-long starting quarterback Carson Palmer went down with an injury the previous week. In his first start, Pryor threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in a three-point loss to the San Diego Chargers.