Remember when we all jumped to conclusions about the running back situation at Ohio State because it was reported Carlos Hyde had assaulted a woman outside a Columbus bar? Well it turns out that was all silly perhaps. Video evidence has surfaced from the bar showing that Hyde never struck any woman, according to a report published by Yahoo! Sports Tuesday evening.
Investigative reporter Charles Robinson reports video from the bar shows Hyde and a woman having some sort of exchange, but despite the woman striking Hyde, the Buckeyes running back never retaliates according to a source. In Robinson's words;
Charges are not expected to be filed against Hyde after video from Sugar Bar 2 shows he didn't appear to make contact with an alleged victim who claimed to have been assaulted early Saturday morning, a source who spoke to Yahoo! Sports on the condition of anonymity said. The source said video shows Hyde speaking in the direction of the alleged victim just prior to her punching him in the head. The video then shows Hyde leaving the area and reaching back in the woman's direction in a non-confrontational manner, the source said. From the video, it doesn't appear Hyde ever made contact with the woman – either before or after she struck him, the source said.
Hyde was initially reported to be dismissed from the program at first, but that was later downgraded to an indefinite suspension until the legal process played out. As long as this video evidence serves as the final word on the situation, Hyde should be reinstated rather quickly by Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.
All in all, this sounds like good overall news for the Buckeyes. Hyde was the team's top running back and second on the team in rushing last season behind starting quarterback Braxton Miller. Hyde is expected to carry the load once again this season, one that could be very promising for Ohio State in the end.
The status of defensive back Bradley Roby remains unchanged after his weekend arrest.
Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast. Follow him on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
