Former Ohio State safety Tanner McCalister will get to test his mettle at the NFL level despite not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, inking an undrafted free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.
McCalister spent one season in Columbus after transferring from Oklahoma State, following defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in the move from one OSU to another. McCalister started 12 games in 2022, picking up three interceptions and a pass breakup to go with 24 tackles.
He was also an integral part of helping Ohio State’s players to pick up Knowles’ scheme. McCalister started three seasons for the Cowboys, and finished his collegiate career with 147 tackles, 13 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Transitioning to the Knowles scheme with some help from McCalister, the Buckeyes’ passing defense went from 97th in the country in 2021 to 26th in 2022.
CBSSports graded McCalister as having a chance to one day start in the pros.
“Tanner McCalister has good awareness and footwork to break suddenly in zone coverage, but he lacks the top-end speed to carry routes vertically. The Oklahoma State transfer has short arms and is undersized, which puts him at a disadvantage in contested catch situations. He has good ball production over the past few years but needs to become a more reliable tackler in space.”
