Ohio State trending for 2025 DL Jarquez Carter ahead of commitment

Ohio State now finds itself in a battle for the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, as Alabama overtook the Buckeyes for the top spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings earlier this month.

Unphased and still in play for numerous top uncommitted prospects, Ryan Day and the OSU staff still have a few spots left to fill on the 2025 pledge list. One of those spots could be filled this week, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Newberry (Fla.) three-star defensive lineman Jarquez Carter is set to announce his decision on Thursday evening, choosing between five schools. While three in-state programs — Florida, Miami and UCF — remain in play, it’s the Buckeyes that look to have the momentum in his recruitment.

Three picks have been logged in favor of Ohio State picking up another Sunshine State commitment, one of which came via On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. Carter visited Columbus back in March and returned for a June official visit. Since offering back in November, the Buckeyes have stood out to Carter and now look to be in position to land his pledge.

“My visit there for the Minnesota game was good because I was able to experience the fanbase. That was my first Big Ten game, so that really caught my eye. I saw the fans and was able to go to the pep rally before the game and that was fun,” Carter told On3 this spring.

“What (associate head coach/defensive line coach) Larry Johnson has been able to produce over the years at Ohio State and Penn State shows that he’s able to develop people in the right way. The d-linemen he’s gotten into the league are not normal d-linemen. They’re top guys.” 

Carter is the No. 403 overall prospect and No. 36 DL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 55 player in Florida.

Buckeyes looking for another recruiting win in Florida

Day and Co. are no strangers to winning recruiting battles in the Sunshine State. Last cycle, the Buckeyes inked Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation.

Smith was one of two Florida prospects to sign with OSU last cycle. The 2025 class already features a commitment from Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, the No. 67 prospect and No. 4 LB in the cycle.

“I’m big on tradition,” Alford told On3 upon his decision. “It’s a college town and I want to be in a college town and get that college atmosphere. There is a lot of history at Ohio State and people leave a legacy. I feel like if you go there, you are on the verge of making history and your name will be written in the history books for college football.”

Ohio State’s 2025 class features 23 total commitments, 10 of whom are top-100 prospects. That includes three of the top 10 recruits in the nation: Houston North Shore Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Devin Sanchez, Bellefontaine (Ohio) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Tavien St. Clair and Birmingham (Ala.) Parker Five-Star Plus+ CB Na’eem Offord.