COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State football program is expected to sign three-star safety Leroy Roker during the early signing period for the 2024 recruiting class, which lasts from Dec. 20-22. Learn more about this member of the Buckeyes’ recruiting class with this profile.
Leroy Roker
School: Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Florida).
Position: Safety
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Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 187 pounds
247Sports rating: Three-star prospect rated the No. 115 safety, the No. 154 player in Florida and the No. 1,165 player in the country according to the 247Sports composite ratings.
Other offers: Iowa, Miami (Fla.), Old Dominion, South Dakota.
What’s his deal?
Roker committed to Ohio State on Oct. 11 of this year, just two months after five-star safety KJ Bolden committed to Florida State. After the Buckeyes lost out on Bolden, they pivoted to the Florida-product. Roker was offered by Ohio State on Oct. 3, took his official visit four days later, then committed four days after that.
A talented athlete that plays both ways, he’s played predominantly as a deep safety with his great ball skills. In terms of pure athleticism, he’s certainly a player that Ohio State is hopeful can find a major role in the secondary in some way.
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How he fits into Ohio State’s plans
Ohio State needs safeties in the worst way, both in quantity and quality. For as much as defensive coordinator Jim Knowles talks about the team being a safety-driven defense, the team very well could have just one returning starter from the 2023 unit’s starting crew.
While Roker isn’t afraid to use his pads, he’s certainly not of the size of a Sonny Styles or even a Josh Proctor. He projects more as a player that can be maximized in coverage.
Projections for 2024
It will be hard for Roker to see the field in a meaningful way in 2024.
Of course, the transfer portal makes things difficult to project as to who will be around when the 2024 season begins, but there are a bevy of experienced players ahead of Roker — including a returning starter in Styles and returning contributor in Malik Hartford. That doesn’t include potential fifth-year players Ja’Had Carter or Lathan Ransom, or soon-to-be second-year players in Jayden Bonsu and Cedrick Hawkins, or fellow incoming freshman Jaylen McClain.
Roker seems likely headed for a redshirt, especially if there are a handful of returning veterans on the roster. Any contributions for Roker will almost certainly start in the 2025 season.
Read more about Roker
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