Ryan Day’s said it repeatedly: Ohio State doesn’t guarantee starting jobs to incoming transfers.
Still, with Tanner McCalister departing for the NFL and 2020 Freshman All-American Ja’Had Carter signing with the Buckeyes out of Syracuse, it certainly seemed likely that he’d step right into a first-team role at Ohio State’s nickel safety position.
But Cameron Martinez has other plans.
When Ohio State opened up its first spring scrimmage to media members on March 25, the often-overlooked Buckeye veteran dominated the nickel safety reps with the first-string defense. And unfortunately for Carter, a knee injury suffered in this past weekend’s open practice may limit his ability to push Martinez for the time being, even if it doesn’t end up being a long-term issue.