Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith will "address NCAA rule violations" at a noon ET news conference in Columbus on Thursday amid reports that the school is investigating allegations that several players traded autographs for tattoos.

WBNS-TV and The Columbus Dispatch reported on their websites Wednesday that the university was looking into the possible violations before the team faces Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was not mentioned in either report and responded on Twitter to the report.

"I paid for my tattoos. GoBucks" he wrote.

The Buckeyes have the holidays off before reporting back to campus on Sunday night. They will practice Monday and Tuesday before flying to New Orleans on Wednesday.

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