Ohio State just got a late-season boost - and it comes with a legal twist.
Puff Johnson, the former North Carolina and Penn State guard, has been granted a temporary restraining order by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, clearing him to suit up for the Buckeyes immediately. A hearing is scheduled for January 30 to determine whether that eligibility will stick for the rest of the season, but for now, Johnson is officially in play.
This development comes after Johnson, a 25-year-old sixth-year senior, previously had his request for an injunction denied in federal court back in November. He’s been pushing for an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, citing a medical hardship waiver due to injuries that sidelined him for 54 games over five seasons at UNC and Penn State. After hitting a wall in federal court, Johnson refiled in state court - and this time, the ruling went in his favor.
Johnson has been enrolled at Ohio State since July, but he hasn’t been practicing with the team. It’s still unclear when he’ll officially join the rotation, though the Buckeyes host UCLA this Saturday at 1 p.m. on CBS - a marquee matchup that could be the perfect stage for a debut if he’s ready.
On the court, Johnson brings experience and versatility. He spent three seasons at North Carolina from 2020 to 2023 before transferring to Penn State, where he played 17 games last season.
He averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game - solid numbers that speak to his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. At 6-foot-8 and 205 pounds, he’s built to play the wing and can slide into a key depth role behind freshman forward Devin Royal.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Ohio State has been thin all season, and the rotation took another hit when Brandon Noel went down with a foot injury on January 5 against Nebraska. Johnson’s arrival won’t just add another body - it adds a seasoned, battle-tested player who’s seen high-level competition in both the ACC and Big Ten.
What happens at the January 30 hearing will determine whether Johnson can stay on the court for the rest of the season. But for now, the Buckeyes have a new weapon - and in a tight Big Ten race, every edge matters.