Many considered one of the top defensive line recruits in Florida, Jarquez Carter, to end up staying within state lines after taking official visits to Florida, Miami, UCF and others in June.
But two of his trips were up to Big Ten country and the time spent in Columbus, in particular, had a lasting impression. The blue-chipper went public with his commitment to Ohio State on Wednesday afternoon.
"The main reason is because of Larry Johnson, he's a legend," Carter told Rivals. "He truly is. Being able to learn from him, being able to elevate my game...
"I've seen the way he practices, the way he teaches, it's not like any other coach. So I want to put myself in the position to learn from him."
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CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
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Carter has had quite the run of late. After a big spring on the camp circuit, he hit the June visits and wrapped up last month impressing at the Rivals Five-Star event among the nation's best.
The new Buckeye pledge was among the top performers along the defensive line and he took home the bench press competition after throwing up 27 reps of 225 pounds. The standout events have had many peers working to recruit Carter to their program since, including plenty close to home.
But the Buckeye wave in the Sunshine State rolls on anyway.
"It's hard to leave Florida," he said. "Nobody wants to leave Florida, but we can see the future. We know what it takes to leave. And when you get to the League, you don't have a say in where you're going.
"I feel like Ohio State is the best program in the country, so that's where I want to be."
Carter, who racked up 37 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior in 2023, is the third Floridian to pick OSU in the class of 2025 cycle to date. Ryan Day's top-ranked class extends its lead over Alabama with the No. 15 defensive tackle in the nation now on board.
"I promise I'll never stop working and will give it my all," Carter said. "O-H! Ohio State is home."
