Meechie Johnson declares his comeback to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

On Tuesday, Meechie Johnson Jr., a previous guard for South Carolina, declared his formal move to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Johnson, marking the first transfer to join Columbus, previously played two years with Ohio State before his stint at South Carolina. In his announcement, Johnson conveyed his enthusiasm for rejoining Ohio State and working with head coach Jake Diebler.

“In my post, I mentioned, ‘I am a lifelong Buckeye. It was my dream to be a Buckeye, since I was a little kid.’ Despite my journey not unfolding exactly as I planned, I feel blessed to seize this opportunity to return to where I belong. This chance allows me to pursue the ending I’ve always dreamed of, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

During his initial year with the Buckeyes, Johnson had limited playing time, but he gradually saw more action, averaging just under 18 minutes per game in his second year. His contributions helped Ohio State secure spots in the NCAA Tournament for consecutive years under then-head coach Chris Holtmann.

Originally from Cleveland, Johnson was a highly regarded prospect, earning a 4-star rating upon graduating from Garfield Heights High School. According to 247Sports, he was ranked as the third-best recruit in Ohio.

With Johnson’s return to Columbus, the Buckeyes boast a formidable backcourt, especially with the announcement of sophomore guard Bruce Thornton also confirming his return on Tuesday, alongside sophomore guard Roddy Gayle Jr.

During his tenure at South Carolina, Johnson earned recognition by being named to the All-Southeastern Conference Second Team. He led the team with an average of 14.1 points per game, contributing to the Gamecocks earning a six-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

As seniors Jamison Battle and Dale Bonner depart from the program, Johnson’s arrival brings a much-needed scoring threat, adding depth to the team and fueling aspirations for success.

Expressing his ambitions, Johnson stated, ‘I want to win championships, at the highest level, and I want to do it for my home team. I know it won’t be easy, and it will take a lot of hard work and teamwork, but I’m up for the challenge.'”