Over two decades ago, Maurice Clarett left the Schottenstein Arena for the final time, wearing his Cleveland Indians hat and a white jogging suit. He had loved that place more than anything, but with controversy swirling, the program’s doors closed on him. Yet, for the third time in the last five years, Ryan Day reminded him that wasn’t the end of the story. So now, there’s a new chapter: Clarett’s daughter, Jayden, is officially part of the Ohio State football team.

“Today was a great day for me and the family. My daughter got a job with the @ohiostatefb team as a recruiting coordinator,” Clarett proudly announced on X. “I walked her around the football facility after practice today and showed her the history of the program.

“Her and her friend Maddie (current recruiting host) joined me in pointing out players and coaches they knew. It was a cool moment for me.”

For over twenty years, since September 2003, Clarett remained estranged from Ohio State football. As the program’s first-ever starting freshman RB a year prior, he had helped the Buckeyes clinch the 2002 national championship title. Clarett had rushed for 1,237 yards (a school record), making him the first freshman to lead a national championship team in rushing since Ahman Green did it for Nebraska back in 1995. 

Add 18 total touchdowns and OSU’s 14-0 record, and the RB was looking at the 2002 Big Freshman of the Year honor. He was also predicted to return for 2003 as a Heisman Trophy contender. But just before it could take shape, Clarett was issued an indefinite suspension for accepting impermissible benefits in violation of NCAA rules. 

A few more controversies followed Clarett that threw him off track and kept him distanced from Ohio State– a 2006 robbery and a 2016 driving under influence. But he was not falling back into it. In June 2016, the former RB launched The Red Zone, a behavioral health and substance abuse agency, and helped college athletes on various teams with mental well-being upon coaches’ requests. 

Through it all, Clarett wanted to rebuild his relationship with Ohio State. He attended games and reunions. But it wasn’t until February 2020 that he found the first spark – he met Ryan Day at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, posed for a picture with him, and went home hopeful. Then last summer, the two met at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and according to Carlett, “it continued to grow from there.”

The former running back now helps mentor the team today, visits their locker room, and travels with them occasionally. However short-lived his time was at OSU, Clarett is grateful for having gotten a start there. Now with his daughter joining him on the journey, you’d understand why he called it a ‘great day’. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t much of a surprise. 

Maurice Clarett’s daughter had been building on to continue the legacy

When Clarett’s eldest daughter, Jayden, was young, she declared she was going to graduate high school at 16. But while she admits she hadn’t given it much thought, in June 2023, she indeed did end up graduating at the said age. 

Her very next step was joining Ohio State. In May 2023, her father announced on X: “She makes me and our family proud. She’s our superstar.”

Two years in, she has got work to do. Ryan Day & Co. haven’t been holding back with their recruiting efforts. The program will be hosting four-star TE Brock Williams, four-star edge rusher George Parkinson IV, and St. Frances Academy two-way athlete Jermaine Smith Jr. this weekend during the game against UCLA. 

What’s more, since Thursday, they have had four additions to the 2026 class, including two flips. They are expected to have more in store with Penn State commit Kevin Brown’s visit and speculations around Micah Smith. It is a busy stretch in the Clarett household.