Buckeyes Land South Carolina Transfer Safety Keenan Nelson, Jr.

Former South Carolina defensive back Keenan Nelson, Jr. is transferring to Ohio State. Nelson made the announcement via social media.

Nelson (6-1 195) is a redshirt sophomore who has started four games in his two-year career. He started in the Gamecocks’ bowl game as a true freshman, and then started three games last year as a redshirt freshman.

Nelson played in 11 games last year and posted nine tackles, one tackle for loss, and blocked a punt, which he returned for a touchdown.

The Buckeyes have been on the lookout for an experienced safety since the transfers of veteran Ja’Had Carter and redshirt freshman Cedrick Hawkins. Nelson came to South Carolina as a cornerback but played mostly as a nickel.

Nelson could factor in at a number of spots for the Buckeyes, though strong safety would be the most likely. That is the spot vacated by Carter’s departure. It is also the position the Buckeyes are most thin at in the secondary.

Nelson was a four-star prospect out of St. Joseph Prep in Philadelphia. He signed with South Carolina over offers from Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and others.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said this week on local radio that the Buckeye roster would be pretty well set in the next week or so. This looks to be one of their final moves — if not the final move. The depth at safety was something they were wanting to fix, and the addition of Keenan Nelson, Jr. certainly helps.

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