COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett reportedly reached a plea agreement just before jury selection was to start in his criminal trial.
Clarett reached a deal in which he will serve up to 7 1/2 years in prison. Clarett was facing trial on charges stemming from an arrest for aggravated robbery in January and a high-speed chase in August.
The prosecutor and victims of a Jan. 1 robbery, in which Clarett allegedly brandished a gun, approved the plea deal. Jury selection had been set to begin Monday.
The Franklin County prosecutor's office said, Clarett was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David W. Fais and can be eligible for early release after 3 1/2 years.
As a freshman in 2002, Clarett ran for 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Ohio State to the national championship. He was suspended in 2003 and subsequently dropped out of school. He was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos but was cut in the preseason.
