Ohio State linebacker target Arion Carter set for Wednesday commitment announcement
COLUMBUS — Ohio State learned more news regarding its 2023 class on Tuesday afternoon.
Four-star Smyrna (Tenn.) linebacker Arion Carter announced he’ll make his college decision today at 12 p.m. Carter holds over 20 FBS offers but he has narrowed it down to three schools: Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee.
Carter is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2023 cycle. He is the No. 181 overall prospect and the No. 15 rated linebacker in the cycle according to On3.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker only visited Ohio State once — an official on Nov. 12 — but he had a glowing review about the experience when he left.
“It was amazing,” Carter told Lettermen Row. “[I got] treated like a priority the whole way there.”
“It kind of exceeded my expectations on everything.”
ICYMI: Arion Carter recaps ‘amazing’ Ohio State official visit, establishes timeline
Carter would be one of the two interior linebackers in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ base 4-2-5 system that the Buckeyes now utilize.
Ohio State already has one committed linebacker to its 2023 class in four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville prospect Arvell Reese. The combination of Carter and Reese would certainly be a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten, but it seems unlikely.
Alabama is the trending favorite to land Carter according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The Crimson Tide hold an 89-percent chance, but On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons has alluded that Tennessee is making a late push.
Alabama has a strong lead, but based on my intel, Tennessee has made a strong push late. Heupel has played a big role in the Vols move late for the in-state target.
Chad Simmons on 2023 four-star linebacker Arion Carter.
Ohio State could use more additions to its fourth-ranked 2023 class. The Buckeyes currently have 19 commits and are hoping to add a few more before the cycle has concluded.
The early national signing period opens on Dec. 21 and concludes on Dec. 23.
Arion Carter Scouting Report
Violent linebacker who plays with his hair on fire with every snap. Explodes on contact, possesses true stopping power. Strong track and field profile. Jumped 6-foot in the high jump, 19-foot-5 in the long jump and ran 41.25 in the 300m intermediate hurdles during his junior track and field season. Also a starter for his high school basketball team. Terrific ability to diagnose and trigger downfield. Shows excellent field vision and awareness when dropping into zone coverage or spying the quarterback. Two-way player who flashes change of direction and long speed at the running back position as well. Lacks ideal length for the inside linebacker position but athletic traits shine. Immediate role player at the next level who will step in and make an instant impact. Height and length will cap his ceiling but has every opportunity to become a top 150 NFL draft prospect.
