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PF Sean Stewart (transfer to Oregon)

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Ohio State men's basketball coach Jake Diebler added another big piece to the roster for his first full season as coach when he landed Duke forward Sean Stewart out of the transfer portal today.

The 6-9, 227-pound Stewart was a McDonald's All-American a year ago, when he was ranked as the nation's No. 22 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports. Stewart, a native of Windemere, Fla., is the son of former Cal-Berkeley forward and eight-year NBA veteran Michael Stewart.

Stewart possesses relatively average height for a power forward at 6-9 but his leaping ability and elite athleticism allow him to play above that size, as he broke Zion Williamson's school record for standing vertical leap at Duke by jumping 36 inches.

In his one season at Duke, Sean Stewart played behind All-American center Kyle Filipowski and a pair of veterans in Mark Mitchell and Ryan Young. He saw action in 33 of the team's 36 games, averaging 8.4 minutes, 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds. He hit on 57 percent of his shots from the floor over the course of the year.
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Stewart has three years of eligibility remaining. Below is a look at Ohio State's scholarship status going into the 2024-25 season:

* Seniors (2): G Meechie Johnson (6-2), G Micah Parrish (6-6)

* Juniors (3): G Bruce Thornton (6-2), G Evan Mahaffey (6-6), F Kalen Etzler (6-8)

* Sophomores (5): G Taison Chatman, F Devin Royal (6-6), C Austin Parks (6-10), C Aaron Bradshaw (7-1), F Sean Stewart (6-9)

* Freshmen (2): G Juni Mobley (6-0), G Colin White (6-6)
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LGHL BOOM! Ohio State lands a transfer commitment from Duke forward, former top-20 recruit Sean Stewart

BOOM! Ohio State lands a transfer commitment from Duke forward, former top-20 recruit Sean Stewart
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Duke

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Stewart is the second former McDonald’s All-American to join the Buckeyes in the past three weeks.

Up until about three weeks ago, Ohio State hadn’t had a McDonald’s All-American on the roster since D’Angelo Russell back in 2014. On April 15, the Buckeyes picked up a former All-American in Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw. Now Ohio State has two, as former Duke forward Sean Stewart announced today that he, too, would be transferring to play for first-year head coach Jake Diebler and the Buckeyes.

BREAKING: Duke transfer forward Sean Stewart, a former 5⭐️ recruit and McDonald’s All-American, has committed to Ohio State, he tells @On3sports. https://t.co/mdwBVbOfr1 pic.twitter.com/wP0VYewpSN

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 3, 2024
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The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward played this past season at Duke, appearing in 33 of the Blue Devils’ 36 games while averaging 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in 8.4 minutes per contest. He visited Ohio State the weekend of April 27-28, and chose the Buckeyes over dozens of programs, including Michigan, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Baylor. Ohio State was one of the most aggressive schools that recruited Stewart in high school before he committed to Duke in December 2021. Stewart will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Stewart is from Windermere, Florida and played at Windermere High School as well as national powerhouse Montverde Academy. He was a McDonald’s All-American and scored six points in the All-American game last year. Stewart was the No. 17 overall player in the 2023 class, the second-highest rated player in Florida and the fifth-highest rated power forward in the class. He was a five-star recruit, per 247Sports composite rankings.

In 33 games, Stewart shot 57.1% from the floor, with all of his shots coming inside the arc. For comparison, Felix Okpara shot 58.6% this past season and Zed Key shot 50.9%. He had nearly as many offensive rebounds (44) as defensive rebounds (61), and showed the ability to disrupt teams on the offensive glass and finish difficult putbacks in traffic. He also averaged 0.5 blocks per game in just over 8 minutes per game, which could extrapolate out to 1.5-to-2 blocks per game this season depending on how heavy he is relied on for the Buckeyes this year. He shot 53.6% from the free throw line, but only attempted 28 free throws all season.


SEAN STEWART GOT UP pic.twitter.com/PN4FZWylIe

— SLAM University (@slam_university) March 24, 2024​
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Stewart competed with a committee of guys who played his position or a similar position last season, including All-American Kyle Filipowski, fellow McDonald’s All-American Mark Mitchell, and former Northwestern Wildcat Ryan Young. He did all of his work around or near the basket last season, but was more of an opportunistic scorer rather than someone who Duke ran set plays for. Many of Stewart’s baskets came on offensive rebounds or transition lobs, rather than designed post-ups below the basket.

Even at 230 pounds, Stewart showed the ability and willingness to hustle down the floor and make himself available in the transition offense. He is a solid and smart cutter, getting to open space around the basket as soon as it is vacated to make himself available for lobs and entry passes.

Stewart’s best statistical performance of the season came during Duke’s 95-66 win over LaSalle on November 21, 2023. The freshman played 18 minutes, scoring a career-high 16 points and grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double. He also played well in Duke’s 79-64 road win over NC State on March 4, putting up a line of 12 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in a season-high 26 minutes.

With Bradshaw in the mix to start at center, Stewart would likely see most minutes at power forward as well as some minutes at center if Ohio State’s second McDonald’s All-American is off the floor. While he didn’t get much of an opportunity to showcase his offensive bag last season, Diebler will need Stewart to do a lot more than just convert dunks in transition and grab offensive rebounds for an Ohio State team that’s hoping to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. Clearly, Diebler is trying to compile as much raw talent as possible and is hoping to convert that into a dominant team in an expanded Big Ten this year.

Stewart is the fourth player to transfer to Ohio State this summer, joining Meechie Johnson (South Carolina), Micah Parrish (San Diego State), and Bradshaw (Kentucky). Ohio State now has one scholarship remaining for the 2024-2025 season.

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Google Skull Session: Three Buckeyes Appear in Jordan Reid's 2025 Mock Draft, Caleb Downs is Ohio State's Top Newcomer ... - Eleven Warriors

Skull Session: Three Buckeyes Appear in Jordan Reid's 2025 Mock Draft, Caleb Downs is Ohio State's Top Newcomer ... - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Skull Session: Three Buckeyes Appear in Jordan Reid's 2025 Mock Draft, Caleb Downs is Ohio State's Top Newcomer ... Eleven Warriors

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Google Justin Hill, Eli Lee and a 4-star running back recruit who feels burned by Ohio State football: Buckeye Talk - cleveland.com

Justin Hill, Eli Lee and a 4-star running back recruit who feels burned by Ohio State football: Buckeye Talk - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Justin Hill, Eli Lee and a 4-star running back recruit who feels burned by Ohio State football: Buckeye Talk cleveland.com

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LGHL 2025 running back recruiting sorting itself out, Buckeyes offer preferred walk-on spot to portal prospect

2025 running back recruiting sorting itself out, Buckeyes offer preferred walk-on spot to portal prospect
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan loses out on a top RB target to Kentucky.

It’s that time of the late spring season when Ohio State recruiting is gearing up for a busy June that will see tons of campus visits with many of the top targets the Buckeyes are after.

In addition to official and unofficial visits, there are also one-day position camps where prospects will compete to try and earn an Ohio State offer. June is going to be tough to keep track of, but it should also be an exciting start to the summer. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead with the plan of further evaluating talent and pitching why Columbus is the place to be for their already offered top targets.

Running back position continues to sort itself out​


The Buckeyes have to take at least two running backs in the 2025 cycle, with the potential for a third if the right situation presents itself. Plenty of elite options are strongly considering Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have had one name all along that has clearly been atop of their leaderboard in Jordon Davison.

The No. 96 player nationally and seventh-best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Davison continues to be recruited heavily by Ohio State and will see that be the case even after he decides on the school of his choice. Multiple crystal ball predictions have the Buckeyes winning out in the end, but there’s work still to be done to fend off other suitors such as Oregon and Texas.

Knowing full well though that Davison is a top target, that leaves at least one other RB spot, and having two in-state 2025 talents in Ohio State’s backyard has left a little bit of a conundrum of who to go after the hardest. The names in question involved are Bo Jackson and Marquise Davis.

Yesterday though, the situation really cleared itself up when Davis announced his commitment to Kentucky. A decision that wasn’t unexpected at least in Ohio State’s mind, it’s been apparent since Carlos Locklyn took over as the new position coach in Columbus that he preferred Jackson as the in-state running back to try and land while former RB coach Tony Alford seemed to have wanted Davis. Either way, this sheds light on where Ohio State goes from here as Jackson and Davison are clearly the two backs at the top of the list for OSU.

Ironically, with Alford now at Michigan, it was the Wolverines who started to lead the way in terms of predictions for Davis, and though Tony was all over this recruitment dating back to his time in Columbus, Kentucky stealing him away is a major help to Ohio State, which certainly wouldn’t want a top player in-state to head north to their rivals.

Without trying to throw too much shade, Ohio State never exactly hurt at the running back position under Alford, but he did leave something to be desired both in recruiting and development. A shot at him came often when it correlated to his recruiting wins and now Buckeye fans all over are telling their friends up north, “told you so” after Michigan lost out on a target Alford had gone all-in on. Though it’s not an immediate win for the Buckeyes, Ohio State sees their rival lose out and that’s music to their ears.

Boom! Big surprise as Vince Marrow pulls Top247 RB Marquise Davis out of Cleveland.https://t.co/GiQkNumFhy pic.twitter.com/Q1GC4ddmXG

— Josh Edwards (@EdwardsCBS) May 1, 2024
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Quick Hits: ​


Not a scholarship offer, but Ohio State was in the recruiting business yesterday with John Motton who still has two years of eligibility remaining after entering the transfer portal.

A Groveport, Ohio, Motton has played his first couple of years at Ohio University and yesterday saw the Buckeyes notice his intent to transfer by offering him a preferred walk-on spot. Again, not a scholarship, but it’s still something worth tracking as it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question to see him maybe earn a scholarship eventually since the current roster has a handful of spots open contributing to their 85 scholarships thanks to the few players who have also decided to transfer out.

A 5-foot-10, 200-pound cornerback, Motton is not currently ranked in the transfer portal grades, but was a two-star out of high school and should see continued interest in the near future.

Blessed to receive a PWO from The Ohio State #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/XSVEQcMwUo

— John Motton (@JohnMotton1) May 1, 2024
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LGHL Michael Hall Jr. drafted by hometown team, has chance to excel as a pro in Cleveland

Michael Hall Jr. drafted by hometown team, has chance to excel as a pro in Cleveland
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

usa_today_21815272.0.jpg

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

As Cincinnati Bengals fan, my team taking a “Michigan Man” over Hall became a bitter pill to swallow during (NFL) draft weekend.

“With the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Michael Hall Jr., defensive lineman from THE Ohio State University...” is what I wanted to hear when my favorite NFL team addressed their interior defensive line in the second round of this year’s draft. Instead, the Bengals chose Kris Jenkins Jr., formerly of Michigan. And while Jenkins Jr. is a fine, fine player – as well as an NFL legacy – I would be lying if I said that the selection of a “Michigan Man” over Hall (Jr. implied from here on out) did not sting quite a bit.


You see, Hall provides what Cincinnati is and has been missing: A quick, twitchy athlete (4.76 40-yard dash) along the interior of their defensive line, who also possesses an innate ability to get after the quarterback. Granted, Hall’s 2023 counting stats might not scream “ferocious pass rusher”, but there were plenty of flashes and examples of the former Buckeye at least creating pressure in opponents’ backfields. And college production is not necessarily the best indicator of NFL success, anyway. This is why the best NFL front offices also take into account potential and ceiling, both of which are very high for Hall.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

So again, my Bengals ended up with Jenkins. And hopefully, he develops into a four-time Pro Bowler like his dad. He (Jr.) certainly boasts plenty of talent, and his NFL pedigree is something that, in theory, should give him some sort of inherent advantage over most other rookies/players. But I really believe that Hall will become a household name in Cleveland... If he is not already.

For those not familiar, Hall grew up in Streetsboro, a suburb of Cleveland, making his selection by the Browns a precursor to an eventual homecoming. He will now return to “The Land” as a football-playing prodigal son. He will play for his hometown team; a team that needs an interior pass rusher. Things could not have worked out any better, for the player or team!

Keeping it local!! Michael Hall Jr. is staying home!

» https://t.co/gx8nsfk40h pic.twitter.com/GFldA7C75B

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 27, 2024
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But feel-good stories don’t mean squat out on the field. If Hall stinks, he will likely be referred to as a bust and hear boos from at least a portion of the Browns’ fanbase. However, I do not expect that (either) to be the case.

Because what Hall lacks in size (6-foot-2ish, 290 after a few cheat meals) he makes up for with strength and athleticism. He has violent hands and a nasty spin move, utilizing both and then all of the above in place of sheer mass. Had he weighed 305 or 310 at the NFL Combine, he likely would have been in the conversation with Byron Murphy as the top defensive tackle available. As it turns/turned out, Hall was drafted as DT4 but has the potential to match or exceed the production of all those DTs taken before him. How so? Allow me to explain...

For starters, Hall’s skillset is a perfect theoretical fit in Cleveland. With prototypical, space-eating 0-tech Dalvin Tomlinson swallowing up snaps at one DT spot, there is room for a complementary interior player next to him. Shelby Harris was supposed to be that guy for the Browns, however, he is about to turn 33 years old and was ineffective as a pass rusher last season. The team also signed Quinton Jefferson to help at DT, but he is coming off a double groin rupture (I just squirmed in my chair) and has spent the majority of his career at DE.

So not only does Hall complement Tomlinson and fill a need in Cleveland, but he will also (presumably) line up next to some guy named Myles Garrett from time to time... Not. Too. Shabby.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

An(y) interior pass rusher who lines up next to Garrett is acquiring and doing so with the ultimate cheat code. The latter is on a shortlist of best defenders in the league and deals with consistent/frequent double teams from opponents, leaving his DT brethren to go 1-on-1 most of the time. This is an area where Hall excels. His size is an issue when taking on multiple 300-pounders, but when it’s 1v1, the former Buckeye can rely on his first step and overall quickness to blow past guys.

Now, I can’t and/or shouldn’t end this piece without acknowledging that Hall is far from a surefire Hall of Famer. He is undersized, produced just 45 total tackles and 6 sacks in Columbus, and was drafted outside the top 50 for a reason. Buuuut, I just can’t shake the feeling that Hall is going to torture not only my Bengals but most other teams throughout his NFL career. I believe that he is going to be more productive as a professional than he was in college, which is not unheard of by any means. Heck, it’s not unheard of for a Buckeye to do so. Compare the college and pro stats of Terry McLaurin, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, and others. Some players hit late or find their way into the right system(s) and then take off.

So against my will, I will be rooting for Hall as a Cleveland Brown. I think he has a chance to be special. But hopefully not against my team.

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