Columbus, OH

The NCAA announced that Ohio State's football program faces a ban from postseason competition next season as punishment for a string of violations that occurred under former coach Jim Tressel, according to reports.

Thus the Buckeyes won't be able to compete in the Big Ten Championship Game or any bowl game after the 2012 regular season under new coach Urban Meyer.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions also ruled Ohio State will lose nine football scholarships over the next three years. Ohio State already reduced its own number by to five scholarships over that period after reporting to the NCAA illegal payments to players by a booster.

The NCAA also added a third year of probation to the two-year probationary period the school had already docked itself. Ohio State was charged with failing to monitor the football program — a serious offense.

The postseason ban may have been disappointing to the school.

A show-cause penalty, which prevents ex-Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel from being hired by another college, will also be levelled.

Tressel was at the center of the firestorm with the program as allegations that some of his players, including former star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, were trading memorabilia for cash and tattoos at a tattoo parlor and he allegedly sat on the information.

Ohio State vacated all of its wins from the 2010 season over the violations, and Tressel departed as well.

Ohio State plays Jan. 2 in the Gator Bowl against Florida under interim coach Luke Fickell. Meyer is already recruiting for the program.

Buckeyes land 5-star defensive end Noah Spence

Urban Meyer continues to make an impact at Ohio State and he hasn't even coached a game yet.

Meyer and the Buckeyes made another big splash in the recruiting pool as 5-star defensive end recruit Noah Spence has committed to Ohio State.

The top rated defensive end in the 2012 class, Spence re-opened his recruiting following the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State.

The Nittany Lions were the favorites to land Spence but the sex-abuse scandal and firing of coach Joe Paterno have cost them again. Spence had announced he would make his decision at the Under Armour All American game but gave the Buckeyes a verbal commitment following a campus visit this weekend.

Spence is considered one of the top ten players at any position by several scouting sources. The 6-4, 245-pounder from Bishop McDermott High in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania had offers from every major program in the country including Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Southern Cal, Miami, Alabama, and LSU.

Since taking the Ohio State job, Meyer has focused solely on recruiting thanks to a special waiver granted by the NCAA that allowed Luke Fickell and his staff to coach the Buckeyes through the Gator Bowl, while Meyer is able to recruit and put the finishing touches on his own staff.

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