Reid Carrico, a linebacker from Ironton, Ohio, just committed to Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class. He tweeted out the news early Tuesday morning.
Carrico is a 4-star prospect. He’s the top inside linebacker in the nation according to 247 Sports, and the No. 34 player overall in his class.
In the 247 Composite, he’s 126th overall in the nation, ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the 2021 class, the 5th-best player in the state of Ohio.
He picked the Bucks over offers from basically every national power, including Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame, as well as regional programs like Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.
The Buckeyes now hold five commitments for the 2021 class, including four of the top five players in the state of Ohio.
When he signs, he will be the first Buckeye from Lawrence County since Marcus Williams in 2009.
Carrico still has two more years of high school left, but early indications are he could profile as a WILL or MIKE linebacker for the Buckeyes. Those are the positions currently manned by players like Malik Harrison, Tuf Borland, and Baron Browning.
He plays both linebacker and running back for Ironton. Carrico rushed for 39 yards and had a 45-yard touchdown reception in the Tigers’ win over Russell last Friday.
His sophomore season highlights show Carrico as a bruising runner. There’s not a lot of subtlety to his game on offense – when he runs, he hits like a linebacker.
So it’s not too surprising that his defensive highlights showcase the same blend of quickness, strength, and big hits.
His high school highlight reel is somewhat similar to Cade Stover, a freshman linebacker on the 2019 Buckeye team who split time between running back and big-hitting safety at the high school level.
With Carrico, DE Jack Sawyer, OL Ben Christman, and WR Jayden Ballard now committed for 2021, the Buckeyes can shift their focus in-state to players like WR Lorenzo Styles and DE Najee Story, as Ryan Day’s staff continues to lock down the top players in Ohio.
I’m staying home. #OH pic.twitter.com/zd0IDYUPhF
— Reid Carrico (@CarricoReid) September 10, 2019
You can watch Carrico’s sophomore season highlights below.
