COLUMBUS, Ohio– Former Buckeyes star running back, and now author Maurice Clarett says he embraced vulnerability in his new book “One and Done.”

“My football career came and happened, but my life basically began after that. And really just detailing in chronological order what has happened, you know what was my reaction to a certain situation and how did I get on to the track that I am now,” says Clarett. 

Clarett, now 36, is nearly two decades removed from his days as a star freshman at Ohio State who helped earn the team a national title in 2002.  Life after that got dicey. He unsuccessfully challenged the NFL on its draft eligibility rules. He later spent nearly four years in prison for a robbery conviction. With those low points in the past, he wants to use his experience to make a difference.

“You always see athletes who’ve basically been in the same situation as Maurice Clarett was in back in 2003. You know, a guy that may struggle academically, and now he’s into substance-abusing, a guy who can’t adjust socially, and there’s a lot of other things that—you know just kids transitioning to college with sports and just the pressure of that,” says Clarett. 

Clarett still spends a lot of time on Ohio State’s campus and is always willing to take the time and pause for a picture or two from loyal Buckeye fans. 

“You’ve had moments where you’ve started off as somebody’s hero, and then they see you reach the pinnacle of your career from a collegiate standpoint, and they’ve also seen the not so good stuff. And for the most part, what I’ve come to realize is that people who start off liking you as a hero of some sort, they always want to see you do good,” says Clarett. 

Clarett says former OSU coach and current Youngstown State University President Jim Tressell is still a part of his life, and some of his accomplishments would not have been possible without Tressell’s support and guidance. 

“He’s been instrumental with me getting back inside the school system and working with the school system. He’s been silently instrumental in doing a lot. He’s the guy that I call if I need anything done,” says Clarett. 

Family is important to Clarett and his girlfriend of 15 years, Ashley.

The couple has a 13-year-old daughter and are expecting a boy next month. 

It’s an opportunity Clarett says has added meaning this time around.

“The first child, I was in prison from 2006 to 2010. And so the formidable years where you really get an attachment to the parent, those were experienced on a visitation table. So now, to be able to be around this and to see it and watch it, it’s something I’m looking forward to,” says Clarett. 

For Clarett, he says if it weren’t for both the highs and lows of life, he wouldn’t be standing where he is today.

“Even when I go inside these classes, and I talk to these kids or any of these universities, this is nothing more than just the renewal of the mind. And that’s basically what happened. Hopefully, they can take that from it and be inspired by it,” says Clarett. 

“One and Done” is available for purchase by following this link.