North College Hill athlete Josiah Pouncy settles with OHSAA

Josiah "JoJo" Pouncy of North College Hill High School. (Photo: Josiah Pouncy/Instagram)

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A highly sought-after student-athlete from North College Hill High School recently reached a settlement with the Ohio High School Athletic Association after being ruled ineligible following Week 5 of the football season. 

Josiah Pouncy and seven other players transferred from Cincinnati Taft High School to North College Hill High School soon after the then-head coach Tyler Williams of Taft was hired at NCH early in 2026.

Another player left NCH to attend Cincinnati Princeton High School, while a different player was cleared separately.

The OHSAA ruled seven of them ineligible under the recruiting presumption bylaw, according to reports. 

After an injunction was filed on October 1 in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, Pouncy was allowed to play on October 2. Several other players received clearance on October 9 after another injunction was filed, and a hearing was set for October 22.

On October 23, Pouncy reached an agreement with the OHSAA that would allow him to play for the rest of the season. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and were kept confidential, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Pouncy was a highly recruited athlete who committed to the University of Louisville on February 7, 2026, after fielding offers from 22 colleges, according to 247Sports. 

He and his team are currently preparing to take on Urbana (8-3) in the Division IV Region 16 football playoffs on November 6.