Iowa Pursues 2027 Guard Tyson After Ohio State Recruiting Shift

Ohio State five-star guard LJ Smith made headlines this week by reclassifying from the 2027 class to enroll this fall, shaking up the Buckeyes' recruiting board and opening the door for other Big Ten programs to make their move. Iowa is among the schools keeping close tabs on the fallout.

What Does LJ Smith's Reclassification Mean for Big Ten Recruiting?

The 17-year-old Smith announced he was moving to the 2026 class and joining Ohio State for practice this week. He is expected to finish his required coursework this summer to earn his high school diploma and start college classes in the fall. While Smith is not projected to claim a starting spot immediately, he adds another talented piece to the Buckeyes' backcourt and may have the highest ceiling of anyone on the 2026-27 roster.

With Smith now counting toward the 2026 class, Ohio State suddenly has zero commits for its 2027 recruiting cycle. Twelve of the 14 players on the Buckeyes' roster are eligible to return next season, meaning the 2027 class will likely consist of just one or two players. That vacuum creates opportunity for programs like Iowa to step in on targets the Buckeyes can no longer prioritize as heavily.

Joshua Tyson: The Cincinnati Guard Iowa Has Its Eye On

Lakota West High School guard Joshua Tyson is the name to watch. On3 recently labeled him Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler's