Ohio State Overview: Big-play maker Jerome Baker was a two-year starter for the Buckeyes who elected to bypass his fourth and final season of eligibility to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. A true junior in 2017, Baker played in 33 games and started 25 times. Baker led the Buckeyes in tackles in 2017 with 72 total stops, and he finished his career 158 tackles. Included was 17.5 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks. He also had two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two pass break-ups. He was second on the team in tackles in 2016 with 83 total stops.
Notable: Baker makes big plays in big games. He returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead at No. 14 Oklahoma in 2016. He had 13 tackles in an overtime win at No. 8 Wisconsin in 2016. He had a then-career-high 15 tackles against No. 3 Michigan, plus a critical interception late in the third quarter with Ohio State down by 10, in the 2016 win over Michigan. And he had a career-high 16 tackles in the 2017 Big Ten championship game win over Wisconsin.
Honors & Awards
2017: Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches & media)
2016: Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches & media)
More on Jerome: Baker was a Top 10 linebacker prospect nationally whose last high school game was a state championship game win over Kettering Alter, 21-14, in 2014 at Ohio Stadium. Baker scored twice, including the winning score early in the fourth quarter, to cap a 14-1 season and give Benedictine its seventh state title. Baker also had 11 stops on defense to earn game MVP honors. His outstanding senior season included being named first-team Division IV all-state by the Associated Press and earning co-defensive player of the year honors. Baker was a consensus 4-star prospect who was ranked as the No. 41 player nationally by Rivals and the No. 67 player on the ESPN 300. He is the son of Theodora and Jerome Baker Sr.
JEROME BAKER’S CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
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BAKER’S CAREER HIGHS
Long interception return: 68, at Oklahoma, Sep 17, 2016
Tackles: 16, vs Wisconsin, Dec 02, 2017 (12-4)
Sacks: 1.5, at Oklahoma, Sep 17, 2016 (1-1)
Tackles for loss: 2.0, vs Wisconsin, Dec 02, 2017 (2-0); Indiana, Oct 08, 2016 (2-0)
Pass breakups: 2, at Indiana, Aug 31, 2017
