Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Dan “Boom” Herron, receiver DeVier Posey and left tackle Mike Adams were among the five football players suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.

The players’ suspensions will start after the Buckeyes’ BCS bowl appearance in the Sugar Bowl, where they will face off against Ryan Mallett and Arkansas.

The NCAA used the reasoning that the players weren’t educated adequately in the rules, even though there are six full-time “compliance officers” employed in Columbus.

I don’t want to attack the players—they say they sold team memorabilia and other items to help family members in the tough economy—but with a great coach in Jim Tressel and the six guys who supposedly are employed just for this very situation, don’t try to say the kids weren’t taught what is illegal.

They also received improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor.

Regardless of who’s at fault, the situation changes the lives of each of these players, as each now has to consider whether to stay in school or enter the 2011 NFL Draft in April.

Here’s how I think the situation will and should play out for Pryor and Co.