Ohio State expected to edge Penn State football, others for 2025 defender

James Franklin and Penn State football are anticipated to come up short to Big Ten rival Ohio State for the pledge of a Sunshine State commitment this week. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are expected to beat out the Nittany Lions for 2025 defensive lineman Jarquez Carter, who is set to announce his decision on Thursday evening.

A three-star prospect from Newberry, Florida, Carter will choose between Penn State, Ohio State, Florida, Miami, and UCF in a live commitment Thursday at 5 PM on the 247Sports YouTube channel. Carter announced a top six, which also included Florida State, in May.

DL Jarquez Carter is announcing his college choice Thursday on the @247Sports YouTube channel (FREE) @GabyUrrutia247 https://t.co/hzgNWuIW6q pic.twitter.com/HGzcCCm9u6

— BrianDohn247 (@BrianDohn247) July 17, 2024

Over the last 48 hours, all signs point to Jarquez Carter becoming a future Buckeye. Three recruiting experts from On3, including Steve Wiltfong, have logged predictions for Carter to commit to Ohio State since July 16.

A similar trend has occurred at 247Sports, with three crystal balls placed in the Buckeyes’ favor since Tuesday, including one from national analyst Tom Loy.

Jarquez Carter has visited with James Franklin and the Penn State football staff twice: once in March and again for his official visit weekend on June 7-9. Carter is rated as a top 50 defensive line prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and 247Sports Composite for the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Defense shines in Penn State football’s summer recruiting surge

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

While landing Jarquez Carter was always going to be an uphill battle, that doesn’t diminish what James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have been able to accomplish this summer on the trail.

Since June 10, Penn State football has earned 11 commitments, nine of which have come on defense. The Nittany Lions landed their first interior defensive lineman, Miami Central’s Randy Adirika, on July 9.

Franklin and Tom Allen have also secured a handful of talented pass rushers in Cortez Harris, Max Granville, Jayden Woods, and LaVar Arrington II.

On the other side of the ball, however, Penn State has gone cold. The Nittany Lions have missed on three consecutive wide receiver prospects in July, including Lex Cyrus, the top pass catcher in Pennsylvania.

With 22 commitments, Penn State football has the No. 11 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle per 247Sports, while On3 ranks the Nittany Lions at No. 17 nationally. 

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