COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The return of Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence has been indefinitely put on hold after the junior failed another drug test.

Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence has been suspended indefinitely after failing a second drug test. Zach Bolinger/Icon SMI

The Buckeyes announced Friday that the All-Big Ten performer, who was suspended in January for three games after testing positive for ecstasy, has again violated school and conference rules, and won't be eligible for Saturday's home game against Kent State.

Spence's parents confirmed to the Columbus Dispatch that their son again failed a drug test, and they said they are trying to "get him medical attention."

"We are hopeful that Noah can get healthy and, at some point, resume his career with the Buckeyes," his parents said in an email to the paper. "We are uncertain how long he will be ineligible, but we will work with Ohio State and the Big Ten until we have a final resolution."

The school also gave no indication of a potential timetable for getting Spence back on the field to complete what was expected to be perhaps the nation's best defensive line. Spence was second in the Big Ten with eight sacks in 2013.

According to the Big Ten handbook: "A student-athlete who tests positive on a second occasion for the use of a banned substance (as defined in Section 1.3) shall be declared permanently ineligible for all further intercollegiate competition in all sports."

Also, those who test positive at a Big Ten event -- like Spence did at the 2013 Big Ten championship game -- are subject to testing during the period of their suspension and would be automatically tested at any other Big Ten championship event.

Spence, who appealed his first positive test, is allowed to appeal the second positive test with the Big Ten, however it's a "long shot" that he can restore eligibility, a source told ESPN's Adam Ritteneberg.