One of Ohio State’s top defensive tackle targets in the 2025 class has scheduled another visit to Columbus.
Four-star Florida prospect Jarquez Carter told Eleven Warriors he’ll visit Ohio State on March 28 for one of the Buckeyes’ spring practices.
“I’m looking forward to watching practice and watching coach Larry Johnson coach,” Carter said.
The trip to Columbus will be Carter’s second visit to OSU, as the Florida prospect attended the Buckeyes’ home finale last season in November against Minnesota. While on his gameday visit, Carter said he was impressed by OSU fans and how electric the atmosphere was at Ohio Stadium.
“It was great,” Carter said of his visit. “It was my first Big Ten game, it was packed, fans were louder than ever. It was probably the most fun I’ve had.”
While on the visit to OSU, Carter was impressed with the play of Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer. He later picked up an offer from the Buckeyes, with Johnson extending it to him.
“It meant a lot to me,” Carter said of OSU offering him. “That just let me know, if I can get an offer from Ohio State, I can get an offer from anywhere. It meant a lot that Larry Johnson thought I had enough ability to play for him.”
Johnson stopped at Carter’s high school during the active period to visit him, a gesture that he appreciated. The Florida standout said he and Johnson converse often.
“He texts me a lot,” Carter said. “Just like texts me different schemes they do. He texts me a lot and just keeps checking up on me almost every week.”
Around six weeks away from his next visit to Columbus, Carter says his interest in Ohio State is “very high.”
“Just based on all the people that (coach Johnson) has developed and all the greats he’s gotten to the NFL and how they’re producing in the NFL.”
Carter said he’s still considering the majority of the Power Five Florida schools, Penn State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and USC along with OSU. He’s eyeing a commitment sometime this summer after he finishes taking his official visits.
“Just what coach I feel can develop me the most and what coach I feel like I have a great relationship with, things like that,” Carter said of what the biggest factors in his recruitment are.
Carter said Johnson and OSU haven’t told him a specific position they see him at in Columbus, just that they “love my explosiveness.” But at 6-foot-2 and 284 pounds, defensive tackle is likely the position best suited for Carter at the collegiate level.
“I see myself moving around the whole line, kind of like an Aaron Donald type,” Carter said. “I’d say my get-off and how I use my hands (makes me dominant on the field).”
Last season, Carter recorded 67 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 15 quarterback hurries while leading Newberry High School (Newberry, Florida) to a 9-3 record. 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 in November. “I get off the ball really fast and use violent hands. I’m not going to stop until the play is over with.”
