Ohio State Lands Transfer Safety Ja’Had Carter From Syracuse

Several Buckeyes have hit the transfer portal in recent weeks, but Ohio State made an important addition on Tuesday, adding transfer safety Ja’Had Carter from Syracuse.

Carter joins the Buckeyes as 247Sports’ top-ranked safety in the transfer portal and brings plenty of experience to the Ohio State secondary, as well as two seasons of eligibility. In three seasons with the Orange, Carter collected 138 tackles (3 1/2 for loss) and five interceptions while being named a freshman All-American by Rivals in 2021 and an ACC Honorable Mention in 2022.

Last season, Carter played in 12 games for Syracuse — racking up 36 tackles and three interceptions. Carter also scored on a 90-yard scoop and score against Clemson, giving the Orange a 14-7 lead in Death Valley during the second quarter.

Carter joins a safeties room that has already lost a quartet of players, with Jaylen Johnson and Jantzen Dunn entering the portal, while starters Tanner McCalister exhausted his eligibility and Ronnie Hickman entered his name in the 2023 NFL Draft. Starting boundary safety Lathan Ransom and depth-piece Josh Proctor have also not made announcements on their future at Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have young talent at the position in rising sophomores Sonny Styles and Kye Stokes. Kourt Williams, who served as a captain for Ohio State last season, and Cameron Martinez are also likely to occupy the room next season.