When Maurice Clarett came out against “The” Ohio State University, alleging the Buckeyes were violating NCAA regulations, it looked like the running back’s reputation was headed back towards legitimacy.

Of course, Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and athletic director Andy Geiger denied all the claims, but quickly, several other former Buckeyes spoke out about violations.

I refused to believe Clarett wasn’t the bad guy he was made out to be after taking on the NFL for the right to enter the NFL Draft after his freshman season, only to lose the case, and after showing up to an NFL workout out of shape.

I hesitate to say it, but I actually had some respect for Clarett at that point.

In interviews, Clarett said that he thought if he kept the violations quiet then Tressel would help him get back onto the field. And after that didn’t happen, he said he felt betrayed. Clarett wanted to make everything right and just wanted a shot at the NFL, which he said he was training hard for.

But any respect or legitimacy Clarett may have gained was lost Saturday at the NFL combine. After the Buckeye fiasco, Clarett said he just wanted to have his shot at the NFL and was working hard to be prepared for the combine.

Well, when you post 40-yard dash times of 4.82 and 4.72, comparable to the fullbacks in Clarett’s group, it surely doesn’t say your working hard.

After the 40-yard dash, Claret decided not to continue with the rest of the workouts.

That a boy, Maurice, way to show everyone what you’re truly made of.

Maybe scouts could have looked over the time when you skipped the combine because you weren’t in playing shape. Or, maybe they’d forget about when you had a private workout a month later and showed up over playing weight. But this is the last straw.

It’s amazing, really, that Clarett has been able to ride one season of on-field success into loads of media attention and fame. But, I’m sure that will quickly fade after his performance at this year’s combine and with analysts predicting that Clarett is dropping to a sixth or seventh round pick in the draft.