Arland Bruce IV not involved in team activities, named in gambling investigation

eligibility.

Gundy said he wasn’t aware of Bruce’s involvement in the investigation until the reports came out last week. Bruce remains on scholarship.

“I have to make a decision on what I think is right,” Gundy said. “It’s not good for him to be involved in team activities now, but also, we have to support him a little bit as he goes through this.”

Defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo’s new 3-3-5 scheme means some shuffling on the defensive front.

Collin Clay played in 12 of OSU’s 13 games last season, all at defensive tackle in a four-man front, but with the new three-man front, Clay embraces his new role as nose guard.

Green started his Cowboy career as an outside receiver. Then he moved to inside receiver. Then to Cowboy back/tight end.

Now, Green is back to inside receiver.

OSU transfer wide receiver Arland Bruce IV is no longer involved with team activities because of his alleged involvement in a gambling scheme while playing at Iowa in 2021 and 2022.

“He’s got some things he has to work out way outside of football,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said after Saturday morning’s practice. “And that’s really all I know.”

The allegations, first reported by the Des Moines Register, stated that while an Iowa player, Bruce placed 132 online wagers on 12 Hawkeye football games across two years, totaling $4,342. NCAA rules state any player who places a bet on their team in any sport will receive a permanent loss of

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Bruce, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound inside receiver, had 44 receptions for 396 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons at Iowa, and he also rushed the ball 22 times for 112 yards and four touchdowns. He transferred to OSU in the spring and was expected to be a big contributor to the offense in 2023.

Gundy said educating players about the dangers of sports gambling has always been a major priority, but he and the staff placed more emphasis on it the past year.

“What has come out with what has gone on across the country has kinda been a shock to everybody,” Gundy said. “We’ve addressed it multiple times just in the last three weeks because of it to try to coach them up on the dangers of it.”

There is no timeline on the investigation or for updates of Bruce’s eligibility status.

Collin Clay enjoying role as nose guard

“It’s new. It’s pretty cool actually now, just because I enjoy playing this position now because just the energy that they brought into this position,” Clay said. “Like, they’re relying on us because we’re in the middle of the defense. So, it starts with us.”

As a defensive tackle last season, Clay often took on double teams, which is something he will see every play as a nose guard. That familiarity made the transition easier.

Clay took his first snaps in nearly three years last season after missing all of 2020 and 2021 with a torn ACL. Being back to full health, Clay said he’s confident in this year’s scheme and his position. Gundy acknowledged Clay’s development and said he played well in Saturday’s 100-play scrimmage.

“Collin is a guy that’s developed his body. He’s now 320-ish (pounds), something like that, and went through a year where he was injured for a while, has kind of grown up and developed some more toughness,” Gundy said. “He is a powerful dude.”

Blaine Green back inside

“Being able to be at like a true receiver position is a little bit more freeing than having to make certain blocks inside the box,” Green said.

Green, a 6-1 redshirt sophomore, said he slimmed up and is getting quicker after returning from Cowboy back. And with Bruce no longer participating in team activities and his eligibility in question, Green could shoulder more duties.

Green said he’s practicing as the inside receiver opposite of Brennan Presley and that the position is more reliant on reading coverages than the outside receiver spots. Green said he feels that with his size and skillset he can match up well with linebackers on the inside, or against corners and safeties on the outside.

“I don’t care if it’s Jalen Ramsey. I don’t care if it’s anybody,” Green said. “If you don’t come with that mindset, you can’t beat that guy off the ball or beat the DB that’s across from you. You don’t have that top-dog mentality.” sports.ed@ocolly.com