Six student-athletes on The Ohio State University football team have been suspended for NCAA violations, the school said Thursday.

Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor (pictured above) and Solomon Thomas will miss the first five games of the 2011 season and must repay money and benefits, the school said.

A sixth player, Jordan Whiting, must sit out the first game, the NCAA determined.

According to a university press release, as part of the players' reinstatement:

– Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 gold pants, which were a gift from OSU, his 2008 conference championship ring and his 2009 Sportsmanship Award from the Fiesta Bowl.

– Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten title ring.

– Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes and accepting discounted services.

– Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 conference championship ring and accepting discounted services.

– Thomas must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 gold pants, his conference title ring and accepting discounted services.

– Whiting must pay $150 to a charity "for the value of services that were discounted," the press release said.

The punishments stem from an incident in which at least some of the Buckeye players received tattoos for their autographs, according to news reports.

Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs, said the penalties were “significant" and "based on findings and information provided by the university.”

Gene Smith, associate vice president and director of athletics at Ohio State, said at a press conference that the university will appeal the penalties, with hopes of getting the number of game suspensions reduced. Smith also said the university will do more to educate its student-athletes about the rules.

"After going through this experience," Smith said, "we will further enhance our education for all our student-athletes as we move forward.”

The student-athletes will be eligible to play in the AllState Sugar Bowl on January 4 against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the university said.