Oklahoma State senior safety Tanner McCalister announced on Wednesday that he is transferring to Ohio State. McCalister is seemingly following his former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who is now the new defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes.
“Already Written! Excited to begin this new journey with @OhioStateFB let’s go,” McCalister tweeted.
McCalister (5-11 195) has been a two-year starter and four-year contributor for the Cowboys. This season as a senior he finished sixth on the team with 42 tackles while playing in 14 games. As a junior he finished fifth with 41 tackles in 11 games.
This past season, McCalister has been used mostly as a slot safety in Knowles’ three-safety defense. He has been tasked with covering tight ends as well as receivers. That role also exists in the current Ohio State defense and will certainly exist in Knowles’ version of the Silver Bullets.
McCalister is a three-time Academic All-Big XII selection.
Despite the familiarity with the position, don’t expect it to just be given to McCalister. There will be other players vying for the position, including Cameron Martinez, Jantzen Dunn, Andre Turrentine, and possibly others depending on how the position is employed.
Regardless, the addition will provide the Buckeyes with experience at a position that has some question marks, especially with the recent injury to sophomore safety Lathan Ransom.
McCalister is now the second player to join the Buckeyes out of the transfer portal. Running back/linebacker DeaMonte Trayanum announced his transfer from Arizona State to Ohio State last week.
[Tanner McCalister header photo courtesy of okstate.com.]