Scarlet Sunrise: Double-digit current, former Buckeyes graduate over weekend

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Double-digit current, former Buckeyes graduate over weekend

The Ohio State football program can use development as a calling card yet again. But this time, that development didn’t come on the field for the Buckeyes.

No, this came from the classroom, as 14 current and former Buckeyes graduated as part of the Ohio State commencement this weekend. Cameron Brown, Ryan Batsch, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Robert Cope, Carlos Snow, Jordan Fuller, Taron Vincent, Jack Jamieson, Cade Kacherski, Marcus Hooker, Aaron Cox, Dominic DiMaccio, Lloyd McFarquhar and K’vaughan Pope all graduated over the weekend, adding to the impressive list of Buckeyes who went on to get their degrees.

Ohio State certainly is known for the way it gets players ready for the NFL. But the program also flashes the elite ability to develop players as students, as well.

That was on full display this weekend in the Horseshoe, as 14 former and current players graduated.

ICYMI: Ohio State announces two long-term injuries

The promising career for talented running back Marcus Crowley at Ohio State appears to be coming to a close.

And for rising defensive star Mitchell Melton, his career is on pause for a while.

Both players suffered significant injuries in spring practice. For Melton, it likely ends his season before it even got started. For Crowley, he has decided to medically retire after yet another knee injury.

Crowley previously suffered a knee injury in November 2019 during his freshman campaign. He missed an entire season after that, and he’s likely missing the rest of his playing days after another major setback this spring.

Melton missed all of last season due to an injury suffered in spring camp, and a second injury might cost him another entire year with the Buckeyes.

Melton began to rise up the depth chart and push for playing time this spring before suffering the injury during the spring game.

ICYMI: Ohio State hoops lands another transfer guard

Former Oklahoma State guard/forward Isaac Likekele committed to Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes on Wednesday. He announced his decision on social media.

Likekele’s commitment to the Buckeyes fills out the final scholarship available for next season. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound combo player has just one year of eligibility remaining, but it can be a big one with Ohio State.

His commitment comes just after a visit with the Buckeyes program this week.

Likekele, a four-year starter and contributor for the Cowboys, averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his career in Stillwater. More impressively, he became a defensive force in the Big XII and a staple in the Oklahoma State program.

Ohio State already went into the transfer portal for two huge additions, bringing in Wright State transfer guard Tanner Holden and West Virginia transfer guard Sean McNeil. Both players averaged double-digits in scoring for their schools a season ago, and they’ll be tasked with being two of the leading scorers for the Buckeyes next season.

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