Ohio State's Noah Spence declared permanently ineligible by the Big Ten

(AP) Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence's appeal of his suspension after failing a drug test has been denied by the Big Ten and he has been declared permanently ineligible.

In a statement released Tuesday night, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said the university assisted Spence and his family in the appeals process and would continue to help him complete his degree program.

Spence was a promising pass rusher out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's Bishop McDevitt High School who played in 11 games as a freshman and started 13 games last season, earning All-Big Ten mention. He was second in the conference with eight sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for loss.

But he had not played since the Big Ten title game a year ago.