Before ever suiting up for a game at Ohio State, Jamel Dean’s playing days are over for the Buckeyes.
Sources told Eleven Warriors the freshman defensive back from Cocoa, Fla., was not medically cleared by the Ohio State staff after enrolling early in January and has not yet practiced with the Buckeyes.
As a result, Dean has decided to move on and pursue opportunities — both academically and athletically — elsewhere. Sources informed Eleven Warriors that Dean was presented an opportunity for a medical hardship so he could remain on academic scholarship at Ohio State, but he opted for a release from his scholarship in an attempt to get cleared medically elsewhere.
A four-star cornerback, Dean has had a pretty well-known injury history. He tore his ACL in November 2013 causing him to miss part of his junior season at Cocoa High School. Although he did not miss any time during his senior season, he re-injured his knee prior to the Semper Fidelis All-American Game in January.
After evaluation by Ohio State's medical team, Dean was not cleared for participation. The Buckeyes did not have an opportunity to look at the knee themselves before he arrived on campus.
When asked for comment on Dean's status with the program, an Ohio State spokesman said he did not have any information to share.
Dean was Ohio State’s second commitment in the 2015 class and was one of four recruits to enroll in January along with Nick Conner, Jashon Cornell and Grant Schmidt.
