(4-5-22) Lima Sr’s Dianté Griffin (5-foot-10 and 175 pounds), the grandson of Ohio State and two-time (1974 and 1975 seasons) Heisman Trophy running back Archie Griffin, has committed to Ohio State as a Preferred Walk-On this past Sunday. Diante’s father, Andre, played running back for Ohio State from 1998-2001.

In 2022 Griffin, a linebacker, was a 2nd Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference selection and was a 2nd Team All-Northwest Ohio District pick.

What does it mean to be a a preferred walk-on at Ohio State

An Ohio State preferred walk-on doesn’t have to try out for the team, where as a normal walk-on has to go through the tryout process (held twice a year). “Once you are on the team you are treated like a regular member of the team. The gear, the food, everything, you are just a Buckeye with the title of walk-on.

The 85 scholarship players have everything paid for, from their schooling, to their meals, to their books, but the walk-ons are responsible for paying for everything themselves. While some of them have smaller scholarships from academics and other places, most of them will be footing the bill for their college experience.

It is also possible for them to be awarded a scholarship in the future…with the transfer portal being a busy place that could lead for more opportunities to pick up a scholarship.

A few 2022 Preferred Walk-Ons at OSU –

  • QB Mason Maggs, Dublin, Ohio/Coffman (6’3 180)
  • LB Jaylon Stoker, Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton (6’1 215)
  • DB Colin Kaufmann, Avon, Ohio/Avon (5’11 185)
  • DB Brenton “Inky” Jones, Steubenville/Steubenville (6’2 190)
  • K Jaylen Fielding, Bradenton, Fla./IMG (6’0 145)

Other walk-ons for 2022 include former Ohio State player ties – linebacker Jalen Pace (son of legendary Ohio State offensive tackle Orlando Pace), tight end Zak Herbstreit (son of former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit) and running back Cayden Saunders (son of former OSU tight end Cedric Saunders),

Besides playing football…Griffin is also a very good student-

Did you know…

Lima’s Dave Reynolds,his grandfather, was a running back at Ohio State in the mid-1960s. Archie’s other son and Dianté’s Uncle Adam also was a Buckeye.

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