NEW YORK, April 19 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court Monday barred Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett from entering Saturday's NFL draft, overturning a lower court.
In February, Clarett was declared eligible for the NFL draft by U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, who ruled the league violated anti-trust laws. She later refused to suspend the ruling.
As part of the league's collective bargaining agreement, NFL rules stipulate that players must be out of high school three years to be eligible for the draft. But Clarett challenged the rule in a Sept. 23 lawsuit.
Clarett ran for 1,327 yards and helped the Buckeyes capture a national championship as a freshman in 2002. But he was suspended by the school prior to the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend, then lying to investigators.
On Monday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the NFL has "demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits."
