Jamel Dean, medically disqualified at Ohio State, transfers to Auburn
Cornerback Jamel Dean, who was medically disqualified to play at Ohio State, said via Twitter last week that’s he’s transferring to Auburn.
Dean, a four-star prospect out of Cocoa, Fla., suffered multiple knee injuries in high school, including a torn ACL in 2013 and a torn meniscus in the same knee in 2014.
Dean enrolled at Ohio State in January, but was unable to practice in the spring because of another knee injury he suffered during his final game of his senior season. Ohio State ultimately declared Dean medically disqualified from the program. They did offer to honor his scholarship, but Dean decided to transfer.
Cocoa High School coach John Wilkinson told Cleveland.com last month that he felt Ohio State was using the medical hardship to push Dean off the team and clear roster space. The Buckeyes are currently over the 85 scholarship limit.
“They’re saying they’re going to honor his scholarship, but honoring his scholarship doesn’t allow him to play the game he loves to play,” Wilkinson told the site. “It’s all ridiculous and I don’t appreciate them treating my kid this way. I’m sticking up for my kid. He was committed to them, but yet they’re not fully committed to him.”
Wilkinson told AL.com that 25-30 schools had contacted Dean after he announced his decision to transfer.
“I’m very excited for Jamel,” Dean’s head coach, John Wilkinson told AL.com. “He’s getting to go to a great place. Coach (Gus) Malzahn is an unbeilevable coach and we have good relationship with Coach (Will) Muschamp and Travaris Robinson. He was one of first people I contacted to gauge interest.”
Dean has been cleared by Dr. James Andrews and will join the Auburn program on May 24. Dean, the No. 35 CB in the country according to Rivals and the No. 55 prospect in the state of Florida, will have four years of eligibility remaining.
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
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