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Jeff Borzello
Ohio State has brought in Penn State transfer Puff Johnson after he was granted a temporary restraining order for immediate eligibility on Friday morning.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Puff to our program,” said coach Jake Diebler. “This has been a lengthy process for him and his family. We celebrate this moment and are eager to see him on the court.”
Johnson played three seasons at North Carolina and two at Penn State, although injuries significantly affected his career, particularly his 2024-25 season at Penn State, which ended after 17 games. In a complaint submitted to the Franklin County Court, Johnson and his legal team contended that Penn State’s medical staff misdiagnosed a right wrist injury he sustained on December 10. He did not miss time for the wrist injury—only sitting out one game due to a concussion—but sustained a reinjury against Michigan State on January 15. Following that, he underwent surgery for a broken wrist a week later and missed the remainder of the season.
Johnson and his legal team referenced an orthopedic surgeon’s opinion that Johnson’s wrist had not fully healed from the initial injury, arguing he should not have been cleared to play. because of this, they claimed that the misdiagnosis led him to participate in more games than permitted under NCAA redshirt rules.
After Johnson committed to the Buckeyes last spring, Ohio State submitted a medical hardship waiver on his behalf, which the NCAA denied.
In November, Johnson filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in federal court seeking immediate eligibility but was denied; a month later, he was also denied an evidentiary hearing.
Johnson then switched legal representation and dismissed his federal case, refiling in state court.
This Friday morning, Judge Sheryl K. Munson approved Johnson’s temporary restraining order, granting him immediate eligibility at Ohio State.
A top-100 recruit from the 2020 class, Johnson was enjoying the best season of his collegiate career last year before his injury. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 17 games, including a strong performance with 13 points and 5 rebounds in a December victory over Purdue.
Ohio State (11-5, 3-3 Big Ten) is set to host UCLA on Saturday before facing Minnesota on Tuesday.
