Maurice Clarett

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett believes he's ready to make another run at professional football.

Clarett received permission Wednesday to leave Ohio to try out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He served 3½ years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a bar, then spent 4½ months in a community-based, lockdown dormitory.

Looking fit and relaxed in a gray suit, purple dress shirt and dark purple tie, the 26-year-old Clarett did not speak before Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Fais.

As he was awaiting an elevator in the hall after the seven-minute hearing, Clarett nodded yes when asked three questions: Did he welcome the opportunity to try out for the team? Was he physically ready to play pro football? Was he relieved that the judge granted his request?

Then he left to meet with a probation officer.

In asking for Clarett to be granted 30 days in Nebraska for the tryout, attorney Martin Midian said, "We would like the court to not consider this as any special treatment, but as a job interview."