After three years buried on Ohio State's depth chart, country roads will be taking Reid Carrico to his new home of West Virginia.
The former Buckeye linebacker will become a Mountaineer after three seasons in Columbus.
#AlmostHeaven pic.twitter.com/SLfOC8efWV
— Reid Carrico (@CarricoReid) December 20, 2023
Carrico appeared in 21 games in three years in Columbus, mostly on special teams. He made five tackles for his career.
Surpassed on the depth chart this season by second-years C.J. Hicks and Gabe Powers, no clear path to playing time in his fourth season revealed itself even with the expected departures of Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers from the team's linebacker room.
Carrico has two years of eligibility remaining.
Carrico came to Ohio State as a top-100 prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings, considered the nation's No. 87 overall recruit and No. 9 linebacker.
Hicks and Powers were signed as the No. 7 and 101 prospects in their class, however, and their talent combined with play in practice were enough to put Carrico behind the 8-ball in terms of earning a role.
With his departure, Ohio State is left with Cody Simon, Hicks and Powers as its top returning linebackers for next year. It's also pursuing transfer portal options such as former Cal linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr and USC linebacker Tackett Curtis. Northwestern transfer Nigel Glover, fifth-year senior Kourt Williams and incoming freshmen Payton Pierce and Garrett Stover fill out the rest of the Buckeyes' linebacker room for next season, with Arvell Reese an option at either linebacker or defensive end going forward.
