Eric Boggs
A difficult and sobering chapter has emerged for former Buckeye Marcus Williamson, a one-time member of the Ohio State secondary who spent five seasons in Columbus. Williamson pleaded guilty Monday in Franklin County to nine counts of robbery, bringing resolution to a case tied to a series of bank incidents across the Columbus area in the spring of 2024.
According to court records, five of those counts are second-degree felonies, with the remaining four classified as third-degree felonies. Originally facing a much broader list of charges—including 17 robbery counts and multiple theft charges—Williamson now awaits sentencing scheduled for June 25 under Judge Sheryl Munson. The potential penalties range widely, from probation to a lengthy prison sentence that could exceed four decades.
Authorities say Williamson used a consistent method during the incidents, handing written notes to bank tellers indicating he had a weapon and demanding cash in specific denominations. While not every attempt was successful, investigators estimate he obtained approximately $22,000. His arrest came on April 24, 2024, after exiting a bank on North High Street.
For Ohio State fans, the news is particularly disheartening given Williamson’s time with the program from 2017 through 2021, including the pandemic-impacted season that granted him a fifth year of eligibility. Over 46 career games, he recorded 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, and half a sack, serving as a depth piece in the Buckeyes’ secondary during multiple competitive seasons.
A Westerville native, Williamson began his high school career locally before finishing at IMG Academy, eventually earning four-star status as a recruit. Despite his experience and versatility, he went undrafted and did not secure an NFL opportunity following his college career.
While this case stands on its own, it adds to a growing list of former Buckeyes who have faced legal troubles in recent years. Darron Lee, once a standout on Ohio State’s 2014 national championship team, was arrested in February 2026 and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in Tennessee, marking one of the most serious allegations tied to a former Buckeye in recent memory. Jordan Hall, a key contributor during the early 2010s, was arrested in Columbus in September 2025 on a felonious assault charge.
Terrelle Pryor, one of the most recognizable figures of his era, has faced multiple off-field issues, including a 2025 negligence lawsuit stemming from a car crash in Pittsburgh, adding to a past that includes a 2019 domestic incident. Rashod Berry and Isaiah Rodgers both encountered professional setbacks in 2023 when they were suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violations of the league’s gambling policy. Meanwhile, Art Schlichter has continued a decades-long battle with legal and personal issues tied to gambling addiction, including probation violations and incidents as recent as 2022.
Adding to the concerning trend, a Franklin County grand jury has also indicted former Ohio State lineman Kirk Barton on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of operating a motor vehicle while impaired following a fatal crash in Dublin, further underscoring the troubling off-field issues tied to former members of the program.
For a program with Ohio State’s stature, these moments serve as stark reminders that success on the field does not always translate to stability off it. As Buckeye fans process this latest development, the focus remains on accountability, while also recognizing the broader human element behind the headlines.
