Florida 2025 defensive tackle Jarquez Carter’s visit to Ohio State was everything he hoped it would be and more.
The three-star prospect had been paying attention to Ohio State's program with vested interest recently and decided to make his first gameday trip to Ohio Stadium in the Buckeyes’ regular season home finale against Minnesota on Saturday.
“It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been in,” Carter told Eleven Warriors. “They had like a rally (at The Skull Session) before the game, and I’ve never seen anything like that. Just walking around campus and stuff, it was an amazing time being there.
“I definitely loved seeing (Tyleik Williams) and (Jack Sawyer) play, that was a good thing to see. I see a lot of myself in (Williams) with how fast he gets off the ball and how fast his hands are.”
Following the game, Carter picked up an Ohio State offer after having a conversation with Ryan Day.
Blessed and honored to receive an offer from Ohio State University @R2X_Rushmen1 @N_Murph @ChadSimmons_ @RivalsFriedman #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tB6o2PtTeN
— Jarquez Carter (@JarquezCarter) November 19, 2023
“It felt great knowing all the great defensive linemen they’ve produced, that was a big-time offer for me,” Carter said. “(Coach Day) told me that he really appreciated me coming all the way to Ohio State from Florida, he said that means a lot and shows I’m really interested in the school. He said ‘If you show interest in me, I’ll show interest in you’ and he offered me and told me he wants me to come back in the spring and spend more time here.”
The 6-foot-2, 284-pound Carter said he had a “long talk” with defensive line coach Larry Johnson while on the trip to Columbus as well.
“He was talking to me about all the greats he’s put in the league, he told me that if I want to be great, it starts now and I have to set higher goals for myself,” Carter said.
Carter is a three-star defensive tackle out of Florida and while he doesn’t hold a composite ranking as of yet, his offer sheet includes 15 Division I schools. Schools that have offered the 6-foot-2, 284-pound Carter include Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State.
“I’ve always been hoping to get this offer, so this is really a top offer to me,” Carter said of Ohio State. I’ve always admired the way coach Johnson coached and have been impressed by the players they’ve produced.”
This season, Carter recorded 60 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, eight sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. As a sophomore, Carter totaled 78 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
“I’d say I’m a pass-rush first type of guy,” Carter said. “I get off the ball really fast and use violent hands. I’m not going to stop until the play is over with.”
Carter said he plans to be back in Columbus sometime this spring for a spring practice, with an eye on committing sometime during the summer before his senior season.
“All the connections you’ll get,” Carter said regarding the most appealing thing about potentially playing for Ohio State. “I think Ohio State has by far the biggest fan base, so you’ll get a lot of connections being there.”
Perich locks in Ohio State official visit
Ohio State’s top remaining safety target in the 2024 class has locked in an official visit to Columbus. Per 247Sports, four-star Minnesota safety Koi Perich will take his visit to Ohio State on Dec. 9-10. He’ll also visit Florida State on Dec. 15-17, so his decision will likely be made on National Signing Day (Dec. 20).
Perich, a current Minnesota commit, was offered by Ohio State in early November. If he joins Ohio State's 2024 class, he’d be the third safety commit, joining Leroy Roker and Jaylen McClain.
Emaree Winston puts Ohio State in his top 3
One of Ohio State’s top tight end targets in the 2025 class has narrowed his college decision down to three schools. Four-star Georgia tight end Emaree Winston released a top three schools list on Tuesday consisting of Ohio State, Texas and UCF.
Final 3 lets go @CoachJeffBanks @CoachB_Blackmon @CoachKee @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/BNzu9wd4YH
— Emaree Winston (@e_wins2025) November 21, 2023
Winston visited Ohio State on Nov. 11 for the Michigan State game and has taken various visits to Columbus over the past year. He plans on committing sometime in December. A few weeks ahead of his decision, Winston is likely leaning toward choosing Texas. Should that hold up, OSU will consider other options such as Nate Roberts, Eli Owens and Luka Gilbert.
