COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football players began reporting to campus Tuesday in preparation for the start of training camp Wednesday and their defense of the national championship.

More than 100 players reported for fall camp. The one notable absentee was running back Maurice Clarett, who is being held out by the university until his NCAA eligibility status is determined.

While the players are eager to get started on the field, they also commented on Clarett's off-field incidents.

"You always hear that NCAA investigations take a long time," tight end Ben Hartsock said. "Hopefully the university will do its own investigation and do it in a timely fashion so there can be some closure to this one way or another."

Quarterback Craig Krenzel (pictured, left) and roommate Alex Stepanovich arrived at about noon knowing that the media would greet them by wanting to know their thoughts on Clarett.

"I don't know anything about the situation besides the fact that he won't be here (Wednesday)," Krenzel said. "If he is not able to play for us, it's obviously a loss. He's a great football player. I've gotten to know him, and he's actually a good kid. He's got a lot of learning to do. But all of us do."

Wednesday is picture day for the Buckeyes. Clarett is not expected to attend. The first official practice will be held Thursday.

Clarett's teammates will attend a meeting Tuesday night and believe that they will see him in camp by the end of the week. Whenever he reports, he will have to play catch-up.

"He's going to be behind," Hartsock said. "You can't say that him not being here isn't going to have an impact. That's going to be an issue."

Latest On Clarett

Clarett's coach said he set up a meeting between the running back and Hall of Fame-inductee Marcus Allen. The only problem: The coach said Clarett didn't show.