Maurice Clarett, Nighthawks are the Locomotives’ next challenge

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Maurice Clarett never stopped dreaming about football.

Even as the former Ohio State star running back spent the last three and a half years in prison, he knew he could make a comeback.

“I am a fan of the sport, so I always thought about it,” Clarett said. “I always kept up with it. I have been a fan since I was a kid, so it’s always been a part of my life.”

And for the first time in his life, Clarett is playing games as a professional football player. After a judge granted him early release from the Toledo Correctional Institution six months ago, Clarett worked out and ultimately signed a contract with the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks.

The Nighthawks (2-0) travel to Las Vegas for a game at 7 p.m. Friday at Sam Boyd Stadium against the Locomotives (1-1).

“The best thing about this was I didn’t have any expectations coming in,” Clarett said. “I told myself I wanted to give it all I had and take the process day by day. And that’s what I’ve been doing. Up to this point, I’ve had success.”

Clarett is playing mostly special teams for the Nighthawks, the UFL’s lone expansion franchise this season that has catapulted to the front of the standings. He did receive five carries for 12 yards in the Nighthawks game last week, a 23-20 victory against the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

There’s a chance Clarett could see an increase in action against Las Vegas, especially because Omaha starting running back Ahman Green is nursing a minor groin injury. Clarett’s not worried about his workload and insists he’s ready to tackle any role coach Jeff Jagodzinksi throws at him.

“Coach tells us before each game how much we’re going to play and how much carries he expects us to have,” Clarett said. “We go from there.”

Although Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel is more concerned with game planning for Green and Omaha quarterback Jeff Garcia, he acknowledged the attention Clarett’s presence has brought to the UFL.

Fassel said he hoped Clarett’s time in the league helped him get his life back on track.

“He’s made some dramatic mistakes,” Fassel said. “Now, he’s got a second chance and it’s up to him. Only time will tell. I wish the young man the best of luck to do that and hopefully he does, but it’s still up to him.”

Clarett’s story captivated sports audiences across the nation in 2002, when he led Ohio State to its first national championship in more than 30 years as a freshman.

That would be the only year he spent in college, however, as coach Jim Tressel dismissed Clarett from the team after a slew of off-field transgressions, including filing a false police report.

The Denver Broncos selected Clarett in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, but the team released him before the end of training camp. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to robbery and carrying a concealed weapon charges and received 7 ½ years in prison.

During a Wednesday afternoon teleconference, Clarett would not answer any questions about the time he spent in prison or how it affected his life. Asked how he has matured and what he has learned, an Omaha media relations official intervened and replied “next question.”

“I take things day-by-day,” Clarett said. “I don’t get too far ahead of myself or too far behind myself.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.