Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor apologized to his former coach and declared his NFL intentions at a press conference with his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on Tuesday.
Pryor, who was facing a five-game suspension in the Buckeyes’ upcoming season, elected to skip his final year of eligibility when he departed from the university last week. In his first address to the media since leaving OSU, the quarterback apologized to former coach Jim Tressel, who resigned on May 30.
“To coach Jim Tressel, I apologize for what all went down,” Pryor said. “I regret the fact that you’re not there anymore, and I regret the fact that I’m not there anymore.”
Pryor also confirmed that he will enter the NFL supplemental draft.
“I’m working hard every single day, on the field and off the field, to be a better quarterback,” he said.
On Monday, Rosenhaus signed Pryor to his firm, Rosenhaus Sports Representation, which specializes in draft preparation, career management and media relations services. Rosenhaus said that he spoke with Tressel as he considered signing Pryor.
Rosenhaus said he was “moved” and “touched” by the former OSU coach’s comments about the quarterback.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a coach speak more fondly of a player than Jim Tressel spoke about Terrelle,” Rosenhaus said. “He talked about him in the same way you would talk about a son. There’s no way I would be representing (Pryor)… without Jim Tressel’s involvement.”
Rosenhaus said he is confident his new client can succeed in the NFL.
“For anyone who questions where he’s gonna be drafted, I expect him to be a first-round pick in the supplemental draft,” he said. “This league needs quarterbacks. Are you kidding me? He’s gonna be a great NFL quarterback.”
The NFL has not announced a date for the supplemental draft. OSU will begin its upcoming season under new coach Luke Fickell on Sept. 3 at Ohio Stadium against the Akron Zips.
