INDIANAPOLIS – Jamel Dean’s college football career nearly ended before it ever began.
Despite signing with Ohio State as a member of its 2015 recruiting class, Dean never had the opportunity to play for the Buckeyes. After tearing his ACL and meniscus in his right knee during his senior year of high school, Dean was not cleared to play at Ohio State by the Buckeyes’ team doctors.
Had Dean chosen to stay in Columbus, Ohio State would have continued to honor his scholarship, but he would not have been able to play for the Buckeyes.