It looks to me like Clarett has class. I like his style.
He played very well this season, but I wouldn't laud praise just on this one comment. His "style" so far in college has been showing up for a press conference with his jersey on backwards so that everyone would know his name, and joking that the NFL wouldn't be all that tough after a half season of success in college.
He may well be a decent guy who was just proud to be doing so well, youth and success rarely breed modesty.
I'm betting he is at the bowl festivities instead of home because he couldn't get OSU to pay for the flight, not because he was restricted from leaving the area.