NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
May 17—Keenan Nelson Jr. announced Friday he is going to be an Ohio State Buckeye.
A Philadelphia native, Nelson spent the last two seasons at South Carolina where he played in 15 games, including four starts.
He was credited with 13 tackles, including one for loss, and one pass breakup.
At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he would appear to be a candidate to back up either deep safety spot in coordinator Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 defense.
The Buckeyes are set with fifth-year senior Lathan Ransom returning as the starting “Bandit” (boundary) safety and sophomore transfer Caleb Downs, who was a Freshman All-American at Alabama last fall, at the “Adjuster” (field) safety positions, but the group behind them is small in numbers and thin on experience.
That is because four players transferred out of the room since the end of November and 2023 starting Adjuster Josh Proctor graduated.
A member of the class of 2022, Nelson will be one of the older scholarship players in a group of safeties that also includes sophomore Malik Hartford, redshirt freshman Jayden Bonsu and true freshmen Jaylen McClain and Leroy Roker.
The Nickel position is also considered a safety in Knowles’ scheme, but Ohio State had senior Jordan Hancock, redshirt junior Lorenzo Styles Jr. and sophomore Jermaine Mathews Jr. working at the Nickel safety during spring ball, and they are all cornerbacks by trade.
Cornerback is deep thanks to a recent restocking of talent by coach Tim Walton, who has senior Denzel Burke, junior Davison Igbinosun, redshirt freshman Calvin Simpson-Hunt and true freshmen Aaron Scott Jr., Miles Lockhart and Bryce West in addition to the trio of Nickels.
Nelson was a four-star prospect at St. Joseph’s Prep, the same school that produced former Buckeyes Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyle McCord in the class of 2021.
In 247Sports Composite rankings, he was the No….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-adds-more-db-035900531.html
Author : Dayton Daily News, Ohio
Publish date : 2024-05-18 03:59:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
