The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Maurice Clarett ran, jumped, lifted weights and caught footballs for pro scouts Monday. By and large, they came away impressed.

"Obviously, he's going to be a bellcow for somebody - he's got that type of ability," said former NFL fullback Tom Rathman, who represented the Detroit Lions. "It's just a matter of him developing as a football player."

Clarett had declined to work out at the NFL combine in February, so this was the first time scouts had seen the 20-year-old who could force his way into the draft later this month, depending on the decision of an appeals court.

Clarett weighed 230 pounds, exactly his playing weight when he last took the field for the Buckeyes 15 months ago. He had times of 4.66, 4.63 and 4.67 seconds in his three 40-yard dashes, a standing long jump of 9 feet, 5 inches and a vertical jump of 36.5 inches. He lifted 225 pounds 19 times.

Almost every NFL team sent a scout. Clarett was joined in some of the drills by cornerback/wide receiver Chris Gamble and wide receiver Drew Carter, teammates on Ohio State's 2002 national championship team.

Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 16 touchdowns - both freshman records at Ohio State - while leading the Buckeyes to a 14-0 record in 2002.

The NCAA suspended Clarett before last season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend and then lying about it to investigators.

He sat out what would have been his sophomore season, then challenged the NFL rule requiring a player to be out of high school for three years before becoming draft eligible. He won the first step in early February when a federal judge ruled that the NFL could not prevent him from being in the draft.

That decision is being appealed by the NFL, and attorneys were filing briefs while Clarett prepared for Monday's workout. The appeal is expected to be heard in New York the week before the April 24-25 draft.

Most of the scouts who talked to reporters after the workout were generally complimentary.

Former NFL wide receiver Paul Warfield, representing the Miami Dolphins, said he wasn't concerned about what many would consider the slow times for Clarett in the 40.

"He's a proven player - at least for one year - in terms of his running ability," Warfield said. "He finds holes, he reads blocks exceptionally well and he played in one of the best conferences in college football. You look at production.

"He certainly gave people an indicator of some of the things that he can do."

Clarett did not speak with reporters.

Clarett's workout

Weight: 230 pounds

40-yard dash times: 4.66, 4.63, 4.67

Standing long jump: 9 feet, 5 inches

Vertical jump: 36.5 inches

Bench press: 225 pounds 19 times

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