Ohio State’s week of roster turnover continued Monday afternoon when junior linebacker Reid Carrico and offensive lineman Jakob James became the latest Buckeyes to answer the transfer portal.
Carrico was in his third season with the program and had an additional three years of eligibility left after redshirting in 2021 and earning his first Varsity O letter in 2022. Despite the program as a four-star prospect and nation’s ninth-best linebacker out of Ironton, Ohio, Carrico struggled to carve out much playing time in his three seasons, appearing only on special teams in just five games in both 2021 and 2022. He played nine games this season and recorded just one tackle, giving him five total stops (one solo, four assisted) in his Buckeye career.
“I would like to thank everyone at Ohio State for all their help and support during my time there,” Carrico wrote on Twitter on Monday. “Thanks to all my teammates for the friendships we have made. And most importantly, I’d like to thank God for the strength and ability that he has given me. With that being said, I am entering the transfer portal.”
James was in his fourth year with the team and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. The former three-star prospect from Cincinnati Elder struggled to find much playing time during his time with the Buckeyes, playing just six offensive snaps this season after missing all of spring practice with an undisclosed injury that required surgery.
With James out of the program, Ohio State is left with just two scholarship centers on the roster for 2024 in Carson Hinzman and Joshua Padilla, who are both expected to compete for the starting role next season.
Carrico and James are among four players who have entered their name in the transfer portal on Monday, joining wide receiver Julian Fleming and quarterback Kyle McCord. They are also among 12 Buckeyes who will be transferring out of the program next season, a list that also includes defensive end Omari Abor, cornerbacks Jyaire Brown and Ryan Turner, offensive lineman Victor Cutler Jr., kicker Parker Lewis, safety Cameron Martinez, running back Evan Pryor and safety Kye Stokes.
