Closer Look: Could DT Jarquez Carter Help Buckeyes Immediately?

Jarquez Carter signed with Ohio State over offers from Miami, Alabama, Penn State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, and many other programs. He was ranked the No. 18 defensive tackle in the nation per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 197 player in the class overall.

As a senior at Newberry High School in Newberry, Florida, Carter posted 84 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. One year earlier, he tallied 67 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 15 quarterback hurries. He finished his career with a school-record 312 tackles.

What To Like

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson likes quickness in his defensive tackles, which explains why he is so high on Jarquez Carter (6-1 285). Carter played all over the line in his time at Newberry, but Johnson likes him at three tech, which is where he played this spring for the Buckeyes.

Johnson wants that position to be a pass rusher, which was a big part of Carter’s game in high school. He finished his high school career with 43 sacks in 46 games played. Carter’s ability to get into the backfield was a constant problem for opponents, as evidenced by his 129 career tackles for loss as well.

You can see his quickness off the ball in the clips below, as well as his ability to pursue the quarterback.

Larry Johnson likes pass-rushing defensive tackles. Ohio State freshman DT Jarquez Carter fits that bill. pic.twitter.com/BBbWsxP0JX
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 9, 2025

The Potential

Larry Johnson has compared Jarquez Carter to former Buckeye nose tackle Mike Hall. Like Carter, Hall (6-2 280) was not the biggest guy, but he was known for his quickness and ability to create havoc. Hall used that ability to become a 2024 second-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns.

Carter showed his quickness and athleticism in high school by also playing defensive end and tight end. He didn’t look out of place at either spot. Larry Johnson has never let a lack of height or size keep a defensive tackle off the field if he can get the job done. Carter was a problem wherever he lined up, and with time and development, the same could hold true at Ohio State — including lining up on offense a time or two down the road.

Jarquez Carter was athletic enough to get snaps at both defensive end and tight end last year as a senior. pic.twitter.com/3xIQc1eVFM
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 9, 2025

The Expectations

The Buckeyes need defensive tackle depth this year, so Jarquez Carter will be given every opportunity to be part of the solution. Enrolling early and arriving in the winter has allowed Carter to get bigger and stronger in preparation for a long football season. It is not easy for a true freshman defensive tackle to get on the field, but Ohio State is just one year removed from having freshman defensive end Eddrick Houston move to three tech in midseason and become Tyleik Williams’ backup in the span of about a week.

For as much as Larry Johnson wants his three tech to be able to rush the passer, the more important job is to stop the run. In the clips below, Carter’s power and quickness are both on display against the run. He can occupy blocks and stuff the run, or run right by them and blow up the play before it even gets started.

Jarquez Carter combines quickness and power when stopping the run. pic.twitter.com/Y7C88nqe3M
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 9, 2025

The Bottom Line

A redshirt season would not be a surprise this year for Jarquez Carter, but everybody is going to get a look. There are times when the overall depth of a position will significantly limit opportunities for a true freshman. This isn’t one of those times. Carter will only be limited by his ability to do the job, which is perfectly acceptable for a freshman defensive tackle.

By next season, however, Carter is going to need to step into the two-deep for the Buckeyes. The more experience he gets this year, the more likely he is to contribute as a second-year player. There is plenty to like, but it just isn’t fair to expect a significant contribution from a true freshman on the defensive line. The Buckeyes are hoping it happens, but they likely aren’t counting on it.

Go to discussion...