Scarlet Sunrise: Former Ohio State safety Ja'Had Carter transfers to North Carolina State
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Former Ohio State safety Ja’Had Carter transfers to North Carolina State
Ja’Had Carter is returning to the ACC. This time, he’s joining North Carolina State.
Carter announced his commitment to the Wolfpack Monday after spending just one season with the Buckeyes. The former Syracuse standout transferred to Ohio State last offseason but wasn’t able to make nearly the same impact with the scarlet and gray that he did as a three-year starter with the Orange.
Despite Carter’s experience and coach-ability, he was edged out by not only sixth-year veteran Josh Proctor at the free safety spot but also then-true freshman Malik Hartford.
Carter played only 124 defensive snaps with the Buckeyes in 2023, per Pro Football Focus, maxing out with a season-high 48 against Youngstown State in Week 2 when he took over for Hartford, who got the nod for an injured Proctor.
A right knee injury limited Carter at the end of last year’s spring season. Plus, he missed time during the season with a leg injury he suffered against Penn State while on kick return team.
Carter arrived at Ohio State while coming off his best season at Syracuse. He registered his top PFF coverage grade (70.7) to date, allowing just 22 receptions on 33 targets for a mere 169 yards. The longest catch he conceded went for 19 yards. What’s more, he picked off three passes and gave up only one touchdown.
Now that he’s back in the ACC, he’ll look to generate similar production at N.C. State in his final year of eligibility.
Ohio State impressed Kentucky RB commit, now trending to land the talented prospect
The latest report from On3’s Steve Wiltfong indicates that Ohio State is now trending to flip Kentucky running back commit Isaiah West, a three-star prospect from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia (the alma mater of former Buckeyes superstar wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and former starting quarterback Kyle McCord).
West and his parents enjoyed a visit to Ohio State this past weekend.
“One thing I’ve always been looking for throughout this entire recruiting process,” West said to On3, “I want to compete at the highest level and play against the best of the best and they afford that to me.
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“With such an open running back room with TreVeyon [Henderson] and [Quinshon] Judkins leaving after this year, it’s a great opportunity to me to play as a freshman, and that was something I looked forward to and wanted for myself.”
For more on West, head on over here.
Ohio State-Michigan set for usual early kickoff time in late November
The first kickoff time is set for the 2024 Ohio State season, but it comes as no surprise. The Game is slated for its usual 12 p.m. start time.
The Buckeyes will host the Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 30, and the game will once again air on FOX.
Ohio State is looking for its first win over its rival since 2019. The reigning national champion Wolverines have won three in a row in the series for the first time since 1995-97.
Next Man Up: How Buckeyes can replace Marvin Harrison Jr. as top receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. became the highest-drafted wide receiver in Ohio State history last month when the Arizona Cardinals selected the Biletnikoff Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist with the No. 4 overall pick.
Lettermen Row is opening its “Next Man Up” series by breaking down the Buckeyes’ candidates who can take over as WR1 in 2024.
Check it out here.
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 109 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 200 days
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