If you look at the basketball recruiting section on this site, you'll see Kobi Simmons' name mentioned nearly 20 times. Ohio State locked up four commitments over the next three classes so Simmons has been the sole source of news since the summer.
We thought he'd reach a resolution by this point. The family originally set a loose deadline for the end of September. Instead, he pushed back his commitment until after basketball season is over – via Horace Neysmith, an assistant for Simmons' AAU team:
2016 G Kobi Simmons has pushed his time line back for commitment. Target is now spring.
— AllMetroHoops (@ehoopsshowcase) November 4, 2015
There are multiple reasons for this. One, it's obviously a big decision in this kid's life. He wouldn't want to rush it and make a regrettable choice. Plenty of recruits wait until the regular signing period in April to sign their letters of intent. As many as 18 of the top 50 recruits in the 2016 class could also wait until April, seeing as how they've yet to make a commitment.
For the colleges involved, Simmons' deciding to wait is stressful for their coaching staffs. It also gives them more time to recruit him. Even schools such as Arizona have a real chance to jump back in, joining OSU, Kentucky and UNLV.
Kentucky will likely have a commitment from De'Aaron Fox months before Simmons commits. If he wants to join Fox, John Calipari has plenty of time to decide how he'll fit Simmons in UK's 2016 class. Waiting will also free up space on the Wildcats' roster when multiple players inevitably declare for the NBA Draft.
For Ohio State, we'll know if Thad Matta will even have room for Simmons by the time he commits. The early signing period begins Nov. 11 and if Micah Potter does not sign then, it's an indication he'll reclassify to 2017. If he does – and he's said all along he plans on being a part of the 2016 class – attrition might open a spot for Simmons at OSU. After all, few outside the program thought D'Angelo Russell would declare for the NBA Draft after last season.
Scouting Before the Dead Period
The early signing period triggers a dead period in recruiting. Although it only lasts from Nov. 9 through Nov. 12, it is a crucial week for high school teams who are just starting their seasons.
Matta's staff scouted some prospects this week before their season starts and the dead period prevents them from doing so.
Jeff Boals was reportedly in attendance at an open gym in Mars, Pennsylvania, for three-star guard Robby Carmody. The 2018 prospect has offers from Cincinnati, Penn State and Pitt, among others.
The Buckeyes continue to pursue Cleveland's Dwayne Cohill, a 2018 guard who visited Columbus in September and attended a camp at The Schott in June. Matta evaluated him, Wednesday.
Wesson Expanding His Game
If you missed Birm's article on 2017 commit Kaleb Wesson, check it out here.
His humility – despite the hype surrounding high school athletes committed to play for Ohio State – is impressive.
"I'm not actually sure why (Ohio State) offered me so early but I did have a really good summer," Wesson told Eleven Warriors. "They have told me that I have low post scoring which they haven't had in the past few years and that I bring something different to the program."
The future Buckeye big man competed at the first NextUpRecruits Ohio camp in October. Even with his frame, Wesson displayed some ability to put the ball on the floor and hit jumpers. He knows modern power forwards or centers need to be more versatile to avoid being constrained to the low-post area. Although he is certainly crafty down there too:
