The first offseason addition to Ohio State’s transfer portal was an intriguing one. Guard Meechie Johnson, who spent two years away at South Carolina, will return to the Buckeyes.
The lifelong admirer of the Scarlet and Gray from Cleveland, who reclassified to the 2020 recruiting class and enrolled midseason, attended Ohio State for a year and a half. Johnson played for the Buckeyes for 43 games, averaging 3.2 points per contest on 31.9 percent shooting. However, he is a different player when he comes to Columbus.
During his first stint in Columbus, Johnson was still very much in the developmental stage of his college career and arguably was held back, at least to some degree, based on what he showed in two years in Columbia. He was part of the offense instead of the go-to guy, taking just 3.2 shots per game.
The 2025 recruiting cycle is officially in full swing as some of the top high school football players around the country are already announcing their respective college decisions.
During the week of March 29-April 4, 29 players committed to a Power Four college football program, including 27 prospects in the 2025 class and two underclassmen. The group features nine four-star prospects, headlined by six players ranked among the top-100 nationally.
Recruiting background: A 6-foot-2.5, 250-pound defensive lineman out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, Merritt committed to the Buckeyes ahead of an unofficial visit to Columbus, choosing Ryan Day’s program over offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M and USC, among others. Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson was the lead recruiter for the Top247 prospect, who becomes the eighth commitment for the Buckeyes in the 2025 recruiting cycle. In 14 games as a junior at Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy, Merritt recorded 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, one interception, two pass breakups and one forced fumble on defense while catching two passes for 16 yards and one touchdown on offense, per MaxPreps.
Abbreviated scouting report: “Heavy-handed defender that looks like a natural fit as a power end in a 3-4 or a 4-3, but could ultimately settle in as a full-time 3-technique at the next level. … Jolts offensive tackles and tight ends with a formidable punch and can pick up quick wins by sliding and dipping his way around blockers, although the sack total doesn’t always show for it. Flashes some instincts as a run defender and uses impressive short-area quickness to make stops in pursuit as he changes course and keeps the legs pumping.” — 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins
