COLUMBUS, Ohio — Art Schlichter, the former Ohio State quarterback who has struggled with drug and gambling addictions since his playing days in the late 1970s, again is facing a drug-related charge.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court records show Schlichter, 64, of Columbus, was indicted Friday on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. The charge comes after Schlichter reportedly was found in February with crack pipes in the pockets of his pants.

Schlichter was arrested in Columbus after a state trooper found cocaine in his car, according to court records. Records indicate Schlichter handed the officer the crack pipes. Officers also found cocaine and other drug paraphernalia, records show.

Schlichter has an extensive criminal history. Most recently, a Franklin County judge in September sentenced the 63-year-old to a year of probation for cocaine possession. The charge was filed after Schlichter was found unresponsive in a hotel in June 2022.

Schlichter played at Ohio State from 1978 to 1981 and threw for 7,547 yards and 50 touchdowns in 48 games. He was a two-time All-Big Ten quarterback and was taken by the Colts with the fourth pick in the 1982 NFL Draft.

He only played 13 games in the NFL as he was suspended multiple times for gambling.

Schlichter was released from federal prison in June of 2021 on parole, serving nine years of a prison sentence for charges of federal fraud. He was in prison for his role in a scheme where he promised prospective buyers tickets to college and NFL football games but never delivered them.

Week 1 of the Ohio high school football regular season is here. For the Stark Country area, four games kick off the season Thursday night before the rest of the area jumps in Friday night. We’ll have full coverage of Week 1 throughout the week.

Here’s a look at this week’s games:

Stark County-area high school football schedule – Thursday, Aug. 22 

• Massillon vs. NFL Academy (UK), at Beaverton, Ore., 6:30 
• Warren Harding at McKinley 
• Central Catholic at Perry 
• Fairless at Sandy Valley 

Ohio high school football: 2024 USA Today Network Preseason All-Ohio Football Team

Stark County-area high school football schedule – Friday, Aug. 23 

• Lake vs. McKeesport (Pa.) at Woodland Hills (Pa.), 5 
• Jackson at Mentor 
• Buchtel at Hoover  
• Cle. VA-SJ at GlenOak 
• Green at Dover 
• New Philadelphia at Louisville 
• Canton South at Cle. Benedictine 
• Northwest at Norton 
• Manchester at Coventry 
• Smithville at Tuslaw 
• Campbell Memorial at St. Thomas Aquinas 
• Padua at Alliance 
• Marlington at Warrensville Heights 
• United at Minerva 
• Canfield at West Branch 
• Carrollton at East Liverpool 
• Toronto at East Canton 
• Valley Christian at Malvern 
• Waynedale at Tusky Valley 
• West Holmes at Triway 
• Orrville at Wooster 
• Salem at Poland 

Now that the most important position battle for Ohio State has been settled, the only other major one might be starting to gain clarity.

On Thursday, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day announced that graduate transfer Will Howard had won the quarterback competition over Devin Brown and three freshmen.

Day also appeared to signal that Tegra Tshabola has gained the upper hand for the right guard spot on the offensive line.

Tshaboloa, a 6-foot-6, 327-pounder from West Chester, is a natural tackle. But Josh Simmons and Josh Fryar are returning starters at that position, and coaches believe Tshabola can play guard.

It’s not unprecedented for Ohio State to make such a move. Paris Johnson Jr.’s first year as a starter was at guard before he moved to his natural spot at tackle and became the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Tshabola has been competing primarily at right guard with Carson Hinzman, last year’s starter at center. Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin is the favorite to start at center this year. Day said he has probably been OSU’s most consistent lineman in camp.

Day has also heaped praise on Hinzman. The junior was one of 10 OSU Iron Buckeye recipients for his offseason work.

But Hinzman has been among several linemen who’ve missed time in training camp because of illness.

“We’ve finally gotten through some of this, this funky illness that’s going on,” Day said. “We’re finally getting these guys out there, but we’re just a little bit behind there. Tegra has been there the whole time and has really showed improvement.”

Asked if Tshabola was getting reps at tackle in case Simmons or Fryar are injured, Day said he wanted Tshabola to stay at guard to master that position.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said he believes Tshabola is mobile enough to play guard.

“I think Tegra is really athletic and can really sink his hips,” he said. “He’s really long. You can play long on the offensive line and keep defensive linemen away from people because of your length.

“That’s a really big deal for us. We like offensive linemen that are big because big people beat up little people.”

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