2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ja’Had Carter, S, Ohio State

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ja’Had Carter, #1
School (Code)	Ohio State (OHST)
DOB, Class Yr	2/13/2001, 4th Year Junior
Height, Weight	6010, 203 lbs.
40 Yd Dash	N/A
Position/Depth	S, Nickel
Honors/Captainship	2020 All-ACC Academic Team, 2020 ACC Honor Roll, 2020 Freshman All-American Honors, 2022 All-ACC Honorable Mention.
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Louisville, Clemson, Virginia & NC State
Scout Name / Date	Justyce Gordon, 08-31-23

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	20 solo tackles (36 total), 0.5 TFL, 3 Int’s, 3 PD’s & 1 FR in 12 games
2021	24 solo tackles (35 total), 0 Int’s & 1 PD in 8 games
2020	53 solo tackles (65 total), 3 TFL’s, 2 Int’s, 3 PD’s, 1 FF & 1 FR in 11 games

Player Summary:

Ja’Had Carter is a 4^th year safety from Richmond, Virginia who committed to Syracuse in 2020, played 3 seasons there, and transferred to Ohio State in 2023. Carter performs well in Man, showing solid hip fluidity and good speed to turn and run, and overall good match/mirror ability. Shows good route rec to anticipate routes as well, especially underneath routes when playing off-man. Carter performs well in Zone as well, he shows good match/mirror ability to get depth and pass off zones well and good route rec as well, he shows a good comfort level playing QB’s eyes to anticipate where the ball is going. Carter possesses good ball skills as well in coverage, he times PBU opportunities well and shows good hands to create turnovers when in position. Carter possesses very good ability in run support also, he displays solid transition quickness to break on play, very good block shed ability to fight through & disengage very well, and overall, very good tackle ability around LOS and in space. Carter unfortunately possesses average size and tends to struggle matching up with bigger TE’s/WR’s, can get outmatched and boxed out by bigger bodies with plus catch radius and body control. Carter is an aggressive DB that likes to sit on and jump routes, while that can lead to plays on the ball, it can lead to getting beat on double moves which happens at times. Carter also struggles getting head around and finding the ball downfield in coverage which did lead to penalties last year. He also possesses adequate range when single high, can get looked off and struggle to get sideline to sideline and make plays on the ball.

Scheme Fit:

SS/Nickel in a Cover 2/3 Hybrid Scheme.

Power Statement:

Ja’Had Carter is all a very talented and versatile player, he’s productive in both Man & Zone, displays good ball skills, can get downhill and make plays vs run and he’s a guy that can work over the middle or slid to slot and cover. Because of his size he is a guy you’ll have to mix and match and keep away from bigger bodies, but he can be uber productive if used correctly, he’s produced from day one in college and can do that at the next level. I believe Carter can come right out and make a 53 and develop into a quality starter rather quickly, and ultimately, I believe he can wind up being a steal for a team.