Progrums

Ohio State Rolls Out Red Carpet for 2028 Wing Cole Kelly

Ohio State coach Jake Diebler and his staff have extended a scholarship offer to Neuqua Valley phenom Cole Kelly, a four-star wing ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 38 nationally in the 2028 class. Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Northwestern and Purdue have also shown interest. Kelly stands at 6’6″, excels as a “positionless wing,” and averaged 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Diebler hopes Kelly’s size, court vision and improving three-point shot will add depth to a Buckeyes roster that went 21-13 last season, lost narrowly in the first round of March Madness, and pursued several portal transfers to bolster talent.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ohio State apparently determined that the only thing missing from their deep, versatile, injury-prone roster was a lanky, left-handed perimeter savant. Because nothing says “we’ve got depth” like throwing another interchangeable wing onto the bench. Coach Diebler—fresh off a first-round collapse to TCU—has demonstrated that recruiting is a lot like speed-dating: if you’re still single on National Signing Day, you panic and swipe right on anyone with a pulse and a recruiter highlight reel. So behold Kelly, the latest piece of this jigsaw puzzle that already looked like a fully assembled puzzle. With Kelly’s offer, the Buckeyes ensure they can play all five positions with interchangeable wings in case someone—gasp—gets hurt again.