On the same day coach Jim Tressel resigned in the wake of an NCAA investigation, The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the NCAA and Ohio State are looking into whether star quarterback Terrelle Pryor received cars and other extra benefits.
Pryor, who will be a senior this fall, has already been interviewed at least once by investigators, the paper reported.
The newspaper cited unnamed sources who said this is the most significant inquiry of Pryor. The NCAA and Ohio State are also probing more than 50 car purchases by Buckeyes players, their families and friends.
He and four other players have been suspended for the first five games this fall for accepting improper benefits from a local tattoo-shop owner. Tressel knew of those benefits and did not report it to Ohio State or NCAA officials.
Tressel resigned early Monday citing NCAA violations which he said had "been a distraction" for Ohio State.
The newspaper's sources say that Pryor has been connected to at least six vehicles during his time at Ohio State.
Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch would not confirm to the newspaper whether Pryor is being investigated.
"The university continues to work with the NCAA as they investigate matters involving our football program, and we will continue to do so until the conclusion of the investigation," Lynch said. "We are unable to comment on specific players' situations because of federal law."
