As things stand right now, Ohio State currently has one scholarship available over the next two recruiting classes as a result of the mid-season transfer of freshman guard Austin Grandstaff. The Buckeyes have the choice to add a player late to their 2016 class or bank said scholarship for 2017.
Following Ohio State’s 74-66 loss Sunday to Florida in the second round of the NIT, Ohio State head coach Thad Matta was asked if he planned to use that open scholarship for next season.
“Yes, most definitely,” Matta said rather emphatically.
The Buckeyes certainly have some options here.
Now, there’s always the possibility a player currently on Ohio State’s roster moves on and frees up an additional scholarship either via a transfer or the pursuit of a professional career. With the way the Buckeyes are currently situated, however, the former certainly seems like the more realistic option at this point.
But that would mean speculation, and that’s not what we’re after here. And the fact of the matter is, as things stand right now, there is only one spot open.
Here are some options for what Ohio State can do with that slot:
Andre Wesson — 2016 three-star guard/wing
A late-riser, Andre Wesson enjoyed a breakout senior season to help lead Westerville South to its first-ever state championship. Andre Wesson, the older brother of 2017 Ohio State commit, Kaleb Wesson, earned a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes on Tuesday.
Wesson is listed at 6-foot-5, but he told Eleven Warriors a few weeks ago he is actually 6-7. He can play either the off-guard position or small forward. Wesson is a long, athletic, versatile player who can guard multiple positions. He’s a capable outside shooter — Wesson shot 43 percent from 3-point range as a senior — and projects as the prototypical “3-and-D” player at the next level.
It would be very surprising to not see Wesson accept his newly-acquired offer and wind up at Ohio State. His father, Keith Wesson, played for the Buckeyes back in the 1980s and, as mentioned above, his older brother is already in the fold for 2017. The ties are there. This seems somewhat inevitable.
Markell Johnson — 2017 four-star guard
Markell Johnson is probably Ohio State’s top remaining target, but as of right now he’s still in the 2017 class. Johnson did say, however, he is considering reclassifying to 2016 and thus would have the option to join whatever school he chooses for next season.
An explosive point guard, the 6-foot-1 Johnson is rated as the nation’s No. 65 overall prospect in the 2017 class. Johnson, who hails from East Tech High School in Cleveland, is Ohio’s second-ranked player.
He earned an offer from the Buckeyes back on Jan. 31. Johnson announced his top-five schools on March 7, a list that included Ohio State, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Cleveland State and N.C. State.
Tyson Jolly — 2016 four-star guard
A far less likely option here is Tyson Jolly, who only recently received his release from California. The only reason Jolly is included here is because of a recent report by Evan Daniels of Scout.com that listed Ohio State as one of the 11 programs to reach out to the four-star guard.
Jolly, who is originally from Oklahoma, told Scout he “might be looking” to stay closer to home, which likely means a Big 12 school. Ohio State has not yet offered Jolly, according to 247Sports.
Graduate transfer
This is always an option, but it’d be impossible to limit graduate transfers to just one candidate at this point. Ohio State tried hard to land both Trey Lewis and Sterling Gibbs last season, but failed to get either.
The Buckeyes could go this route should the right fit become unavailable.
Author’s note: As stated above, I’d be very surprised if Andre Wesson did not accept his recent scholarship offer. With that said, Ohio State still appears to be heavily interested in landing Markell Johnson, as well. That would obviously a mean another scholarship must open up — whether Johnson stays in the 2017 class or reclassifies to 2016 — in order to accommodate both players.
The Buckeyes certainly seem to be in good shape to land both of these prospects, but in order for that to happen somebody on the current roster would have to move on. We’re certainly not going to speculate on who that might be, and we ask that you please focus on the potential prospects and not who could potentially leave the program.
