NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Blake Sims #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide gets tackled by Adolphus Washington #92 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Ohio State Buckeyes have suspended Adolphus Washington after the defensive lineman was charged with solicitation of a prostitute on Wednesday night. The news was reported by Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch, and later confirmed by a school spokesman to Austin Ward of ESPN.com.

On Thursday, Ohio State announced that Washington’s punishment would be handled internally. Head coach Urban Meyer decided to suspend his star defensive tackle for the team’s biggest game of the year, Jan. 1’s BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Washington was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 17. In a statement released to the media, he said he accepts full responsibility for his actions and will learn from his transgression.

“I want to sincerely apologize to my family, to coach Meyer and the coaching staff, to my teammates and my friends for my lack of judgement last night and for my actions that I truly regret,” Washington said in a statement. “I have wanted to be a high-character teammate, a contributor to the success of this program and, most importantly, someone my family can be proud of. I am extremely disappointed in myself, and I can honestly say I will learn from my mistake and I will accept the consequences that deservedly will come my way. And I hope that people will know that I am truly sorry and that I sincerely do apologize.”

Losing Washington is a big blow for Ohio State, as he had a strong season for a unit that ranked seventh in the nation in total defense. In 11 games with the No. 7 Buckeyes (11-1), Washington was a key defensive cog for the team, posting 49 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, one pick returned for a touchdown and one forced fumble.

Washington is a senior, so he’s played his last game in the NCAA. NFL Draft experts rate him as the fifth-best defensive tackle on the board, projected to be selected in the first two rounds. Obviously, his draft prospects could take a hit with news of this arrest.

The Fiesta Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2016 with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com