When Torrance Gibson committed to then-Ohio State assistant Tom Herman and Zach Smith in 2014, the four-star dual-threat quarterback prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had the look of a future star for the Buckeyes.
Now a redshirt freshman wide receiver, Gibson's college career has been put on hold by a semester-long suspension from the university for violating the school's code of conduct.
In his regular media availability on Monday, Urban Meyer announced that he disagreed with the suspension but would not fight the punishment since it is a school decision and "not athletic department or football." When pressed for a follow-up, Meyer offered little-to-no elaboration on the violation or Gibson's future, only acknowledging that this situation is not "unique."
Gibson is gifted athletically, and though visions of him leading Urban Meyer's offense have shifted since his move to wideout, the redshirt freshman still has a bright future ahead if he can make his way onto the field.
According to Cleveland.com, Gibson "had some trouble with the rules as a true freshman" and did not make the team's traveling roster or get to dress at points during the season.
The move from quarterback to wide receiver is challenging for any top high school prospect, but Gibson's size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and talent set him up with an opportunity to contribute in 2016 as a deep threat on the outside. Whatever this issue is with the school has not only hurt the Buckeyes in 2016 but reset the clock on Gibson's college career.