Ohio State lands impact transfer from Oklahoma State to reunite with Jim Knowles
Ohio State football picked up a boost for the secondary with Oklahoma State safety Tanner McCalister transferring to reunite with Jim Knowles.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day hired new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to get the Buckeyes defense to play better football.
Now Knowles is getting some help in that endeavor from a familiar face.
On Wednesday, former Cowboys defensive back Tanner McCalister announced his decision to join Ohio State in the transfer portal.
McCalister was in the first Oklahoma State recruiting class with Knowles as a DC in Stillwater. He’s committed to finish things out with him at Ohio State.
Tanner McCalister transferring to Ohio State from Oklahoma State
McCalister was a senior safety for Oklahoma State in 2021 but he’ll have one more year of eligibility to use with the Buckeyes in 2022.
The veteran DB started his career at cornerback before moving to safety in 2020. He has started 26 games and appeared in 50 all told.
He finished this season with 42 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception, which sealed the Cowboys’ victory over Texas.
Coming out of high school McCalister was a three-star prospect ranking No. 618 in the 247 Sports composite. However, they rated him a four-star in the transfer portal in recognition of his strong career.
Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors suggested McCalister could start in the slot for the Buckeyes after spending 390 of his 696 snaps there in 2021.
Ohio State should have great depth in the secondary with McCalister joining. He should also give them some insurance with safeties Josh Proctor and Lathan Ransom coming off leg fractures.
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