What Ohio State football’s latest transfer commitment gives the Buckeye secondary
Ohio State has expanded its secondary depth by tapping into the transfer portal, securing former South Carolina safety Keenan Nelson Jr., who committed to the Buckeyes on Friday morning. Nelson, a four-star recruit from the Class of 2022, honed his skills at St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia, the same program that produced talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyle McCord, both of whom Ohio State recruited. During his tenure with the Gamecocks, Nelson contributed with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection across two seasons. In 2022, he participated in four games to maintain his redshirt status, while in 2023, he started in three games. With three seasons of eligibility left.
Nelson bolsters Ohio State’s safety lineup, adding depth behind starters Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs. His arrival brings the total count of scholarship safeties at Ohio State to seven, alongside Downs, Ransom, Jayden Bonsu, Jaylen McClain, Leroy Roker, and Malik Hartford. Furthermore, Nelson’s commitment leaves Ohio State with 81 unofficial scholarships, four short of the FBS limit of 85, allowing room for additional recruits if desired. Competing under the guidance of new safeties coach Matt Guerrieri, Nelson will vie for a spot in the second-team rotation, contending with Hartford and Bonsu, while freshmen McClain and Roker provide further depth to the lineup.
