Why Tiffin fits

No offer from Tiffin has been recorded yet, but the program represents a realistic and credible target for a 2028 prospect from Shaker Heights with Whitlock's profile. Tiffin is an in-state D2 program under Coach Sterling Johnson with a clear pattern of recruiting Ohio-based forwards — the comparable records include multiple Ohio forwards who went on to log meaningful minutes under this staff. At 6'5" and 190 lbs with 18.7 PPG and 6.9 RPG at the high school level, Whitlock fits the physical and production mold of forwards the program has brought in. Jacob Pleiman, a 6'6" Ohio forward who played for the current coach and earned All-Conference honors, is the clearest developmental parallel — he settled into a role-player arc over four seasons, which is a realistic ceiling to model for a similar recruit. Wesley Jordan, another comparable forward in the records, developed into a full-time starter over three seasons, showing the program does have a pathway to more significant minutes for the right player. The forward depth chart heading into 2028-29 is thin enough to suggest genuine opportunity, though a two-year projection carries real uncertainty given portal movement. Whitlock's 3.20 GPA is a positive academic signal for a program where eligibility and retention matter. The combination of in-state access, positional fit, and the program's history with Ohio forwards makes this a target worth engaging early even without an offer in hand.

Roster opportunity

The forward depth chart for the 2028-29 arrival season shows just one multi-year forward projected to be competing at arrival, with no committed forwards signed ahead in the same class. That creates a balanced to open opportunity at the position, though two-plus years of portal activity could materially shift the picture. The path to rotation minutes is plausible but not guaranteed.

Comparable journeys at Tiffin

All three comparables are Ohio-based forwards within two inches of Whitlock's height, recruited to Tiffin under the current staff. Pleiman is the closest developmental model — same position, same state, played four seasons under Coach Johnson and earned All-Conference recognition.

• Jacob Pleiman

  6'6" / 210 lbs / F / Botkins, OH / Botkins HS

  4-year forward under current coach; earned All-Conference honors; settled into role-player arc averaging 15.6 mpg in peak season

  same position · height Δ1in · weight Δ20lbs · same state

• Wesley Jordan

  6'7" / 195 lbs / F / Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central

  Developed into full-time starter over 3 seasons; peaked at 31.6 mpg and 18.7 PPG at college level

  same position · height Δ2in · weight Δ5lbs

• Elhadji Thiam

  6'7" / 210 lbs / F / Reynoldsburg, OH / Pickerington Central

  Ohio forward (Pickerington Central) who earned Player of the Year honors; left program after one season

  same position · height Δ2in · weight Δ20lbs · same state

Assistant coaches

Star range

Unranked

Class size

5 / yr

Total tracked

5

Primary recruiting regions

OH (3) · MI (2)

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