Rough Week For Rutgers: 2 Ex-Players In Jail, 6 Can't Practice

It was a rough week for Rutgers University as the football program found itself dealing with several controversies involving players, ex-players and even the troubles at Ohio State.

Two ex-football players were sent to prison after they were convicted of home invasions. Six current Rutgers players will not be reporting to pre-season camp as an investigation involving possible credit card fraud continues.

Rutgers coach Chris Ash found himself answering questions about a domestic-abuse controversy at Ohio State University, where he served a defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015.

Here is what happened:

Two ex-players go to jail

Three former Rutgers students were sentenced Friday for their participation in home invasions in which the victims, who also were members of the student body, were targeted for drugs and cash, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Ex-player Tejay Johnson, 26, of Egg Harbor was sentenced to serve 12 years in a New Jersey state prison. He received a 12-year term for each of the three-armed robberies.

In court, Johnson gave a nearly seven-minute apology to his victims and family, according to nj.com, saying he made a complete fool of himself. He said that after football ended for him, he turned to codeine and marijuana.

Johnson pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to three counts of armed robbery, three counts of armed burglary and three counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to the MCPO.

Another ex-player, Andre Boggs, 22, of Coatesville, Pa. was also sentenced to serve 12 years in a New Jersey state prison. Boggs pleaded guilty on June 25 to three counts of armed robbery, three counts of armed burglary and three counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to the MCPO.

Kaylanna Ricks, 22, of Perth Amboy was also sentenced to three years of probation.

6 Football Players Won't Report To Camp As Probe Continues: Rutgers

Six Rutgers University football players will not be reporting to pre-season camp as an investigation involving possible credit card fraud continues.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office also told Patch that it is assisting Rutgers campus police as they conduct the probe into a possible credit card fraud by a ring of players on the football team.
Prosecutor Andrew Carey's office is providing legal guidance to Rutgers police, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor told Patch on Thursday.

Read more here: 6 Football Players Won't Report To Camp As Probe Widens: Rutgers

Ohio State controversy

Ash was asked to comment on the decision to put Urban Meyer, on paid administrative leave because of accusations that Ohio State ignored domestic violence allegations against another assistant coach, according to nj.com.

Meyer was put leave with pay on Wednesday after ESPN and others reported the coach knew about the domestic violence allegations made against Buckeyes coach Zach Smith in 2015, even though he previously denied it.

Here is nj.com's video of Ash being asked about Meyer:

With reporting by Carly Baldwin

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