Jordan Fuller was looking for a new NFL team this offseason for the first time in his short NFL career. After his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Rams expired, the former Ohio State safety was a free agent this offseason.
Fuller found his new team on Friday. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Fuller has signed with the Carolina Panthers. Fuller signed a one-year deal worth up to $5.25 million, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
After a productive four-year career with the Buckeyes, the Rams selected Fuller in the sixth round, No. 199 overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft. He quickly became a starter in LA and remained as such, when healthy, throughout his four seasons with the franchise. Fuller’s best season with the Rams came in 2021 when he recorded 113 tackles, four passes defended and an interception. Last season, he had a career-high three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Fuller was part of the LA team that won Super Bowl LVI, but he was injured for much of the 2022 season.
As a freshman at Ohio State, Fuller saw some playing time for the Buckeyes as he got his feet wet in the college game. He played in six contests, recording 11 total tackles. Heading into his sophomore year, Fuller won one of the starting safety jobs alongside Damon Webb. That season, Fuller played in 12 games, recording 62 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions. For his performance, he was named third-team All-Big Ten.
n 2018, after being named a captain for the Scarlet and Gray for the first time, Fuller missed the first game of the season with an injury but still put in a strong season, tying for the team lead in tackles with 81 to go along with 2.5 tackles for a loss, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
After electing to return for his senior year, Fuller was an important piece for an Ohio State defense that made a drastic turnaround in 2019. Although his numbers weren’t as impressive as during his junior season — 62 total tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries — Fuller helped turn the Buckeye defense into the best in the country, as the Scarlet and Gray won a third straight Big Ten title and returned to the College Football Playoff for the first time in three seasons.