Both of these stories broke over the weekend, but in case you missed them, Emmanuel Negedu will transfer to New Mexico and Walter Offutt will transfer to Ohio.
The Associated Press talked to Negedu, who will enroll in classes next month in Albuquerque:
Negedu told The Associated Press he has signed a scholarship offer to play with the Lobos and coach Steve Alford, has been cleared by New Mexico doctors. He is waiting to find out if he will receive an NCAA waiver that will allow him to play in the 2010-11 season.
“I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” the 21-year-old Negedu said. “I want to chase my dreams to play basketball. I want to do what makes me happy, and that’s what makes me so happy.”
Meanwhile, Offutt chose a full ride at Ohio University, where he’ll play for John Groce, over the opportunity to walk-on at Indiana. Groce recruited Offutt as an assistant coach at Ohio State.
Offutt told The Columbus Dispatch that academics played a big role in his decision to leave Wright State:
Offutt enrolled at Wright State, but said he left because the coaching staff misled him into believing the school had a major in sports management.
“I was looking for playing time, but academics played as big a role in my decision to come to Ohio,” he said.
As someone who follows recruiting very closely, the rise of Washington (IN) big man Tyler Zeller to a five-star prospect caught me a bit off guard.
