In his brief NFL career, Jordan Fuller was searching for a new team this summer. The former Ohio State safety was a free agent this offseason after his rookie deal with the Los Angeles Rams ended.
On Friday, Fuller made his new team. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Fuller has signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers. Fuller agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5.25 million, as reported by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
Following a successful four-year tenure with the Buckeyes, Fuller was chosen by the Rams with the 199th pick overall in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. When healthy, he swiftly established himself as a starter in Los Angeles and stayed so for his four seasons with the team. In 2021, Fuller had the greatest season of his Rams career with 113 tackles, four passes defensed, and one interception. He recorded a career-high three interceptions and three forced fumbles in the previous campaign.
A member of the Los Angeles squad that won Super Bowl LVI, Fuller missed a large portion of the 2022 campaign due to injury.
Fuller earned some playing time as a freshman at Ohio State to get experience in collegiate football. He participated in six games and made 11 total tackles. Fuller and Damon Webb were able to secure a starting safety position going into Fuller’s sophomore year. Fuller participated in 12 games during that season, totaling 62 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions. He was chosen third-team All-Big Ten for his performance.
2018 saw Fuller miss the season’s opening game due to injury, but he still had a fantastic season, tying for the team lead in tackles with 81, along with 2.5 tackles for a loss, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. This was Fuller’s first season as a captain for the Scarlet and Gray.
Fuller was a crucial member of the Ohio State defense that underwent a significant transformation in 2019 after deciding to come back for his senior year. Despite not having the same stat line as in his junior year (62 total tackles, 4 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries), Fuller was instrumental in making the Buckeye defense the best in the nation, helping the Scarlet and Gray win a third consecutive Big Ten title and make their first appearance in the College Football Playoffs in three seasons.
Fuller was one of four finalists in 2019 for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given to the best scholar-athlete in the country each year, and the Lott Impact Trophy.