Ohio State announced that former Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett will be the Victory Bell ringer before the 2026 football season opener against Ball State on Sept. 5.
Clarett, who won the national championship with the Buckeyes in 2002, is the ninth Victory Bell Ringer since Ohio State began the tradition last season.
Jim Tressel, Clarett's coach in the national championship-winning season, will be honored the same day with his enshrinement into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor.
Clarett's first year with the Buckeyes stands as one of the most impactful freshman seasons in Ohio State history. As the first freshman running back to start a season opener for Ohio State since 1943, Clarett totaled 1,237 rushing yards on 222 carries with 18 total touchdowns.
Clarett won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 5-yard run during the second overtime of the national championship game against Miami.
Earlier in the game, Clarett chased down Miami safety Sean Taylor following an interception, stripped the ball and recovered it, preventing a costly turnover.
Clarett had a troubled next few years after his rise to fame, including multiple legal troubles in the 2000s and an indefinite suspension from Ohio State after an academic scandal. He went to prison after admitting to carrying a concealed weapon and robbing two people outside a nightclub in Columbus.
Since his release from prison in 2010, Clarett became a motivational speaker and mentored college athletes.
About a year ago, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day brought Clarett back into the fold at Ohio State, where Clarett has been mentoring players.
This year, Clarett has been active in the Columbus community with his housing initiative Champion's Bridge. He renovated an old hotel property on the North Side and converted it into temporary housing while providing services to seniors and pregnant people facing homelessness. He also turned another building at the old Super 8 at 1078 E. Dublin Granville Road into a child wellness campus.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ex-Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett to ring Victory Bell in season opener
