Ohio State's Maurice Clarett drew attention on and off the field this week leading into the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

And even with the Buckeyes' 31-24 double-overtime victory over the Hurricanes on Friday, things didn't change much for the sophomore running back.

	Maurice Clarett wants to play defense, but can Ohio State's offense afford to lose him?

"I want to play defense next year," Clarett told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I'm too much of an athlete just to play on one side of the ball."

Clarett led Ohio State in rushing and scoring this season, but he told the newspaper he wants to try a spot at outside linebacker. Clarett's 5-yard touchdown run in the second extra session Friday helped seal the national title for the Buckeyes.

Chris Gamble has been effective for Ohio State, successfully playing both wide receiver and cornerback.

But can Clarett accomplish the same?

According to the report, Ohio State's offensive unit might not be able to lose a player as talented as Clarett, who also missed three full games this season with injuries.

Clarett openly showed his frustrations with Ohio State in the 10 days leading up to the Fiesta Bowl after he was not allowed to fly home for a friend's funeral on Dec. 30.

When OSU said Clarett failed to file the proper paperwork for the trip, he said those forms had been completed and that OSU's administration perpetrated a "lie . . . to make me look stupid."

The 19-year-old from Youngstown also added that "football is more important than life to (Ohio State). He added that he didn't have any affection toward Ohio State and that his motivation was playing for his teammates and coaches. Another contradiction?

As his teammates and coaches celebrated inside Sun Devil Stadium, Clarett reportedly made a quick exit with family and friends.

"This doesn't mean anything to me," Clarett told the Plain-Dealer. "I just want to go home."