BOOM
Former LSU wide receiver Kyle Parker becomes Ohio State's 16th transfer commitment entering 2026.
Ohio State will soon have a new player on its roster.
Former Penn State and North Carolina guard Puff Johnson was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Friday, awarding him immediate eligibility to play for Ohio State this season. A hearing will be held on Jan. 30 to determine whether he will receive a permanent injunction to remain eligible for the rest of the season.
A fascinating twist and perhaps a sign of a new trend... Ohio State MBB's Puff Johnson, whose eligibility injunction motion was denied in federal court in November, has been granted a TRO after refiling in state court.
— Sam C. Ehrlich (@samcehrlich) January 16, 2026
This allows him to play for OSU ahead of a Jan 30 hearing. https://t.co/elv8Erkgcl pic.twitter.com/m9JK0mceVY
Johnson, a 25-year-old sixth-year senior, filed for the temporary restraining order earlier this week after previously filing a lawsuit against the NCAA in November. Johnson’s request for an injunction at that time was denied by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Johnson had previously applied for a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA, arguing that he should be eligible for an extra year of eligibility because he missed 54 games over five years at Penn State and North Carolina due to injuries.
Johnson has been enrolled in classes at Ohio State since July, but has not been practicing with the team. It’s unclear when Johnson will join the Buckeyes, who play UCLA at home at 1 p.m. Saturday (CBS).
Johnson played for North Carolina for three seasons from 2020-23 before transferring to Penn State for two seasons. In 17 games at Penn State last season, Johnson averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
His addition to the roster could provide a much-needed boost to Ohio State’s depth, which has been lacking all season and has been especially thin since Brandon Noel suffered a foot injury on Jan. 5 against Nebraska. At 6-foot-8 and 205 pounds, Johnson projects as likely to play on the wing for the Buckeyes, where he can provide depth behind Devin Royal.
