Concern is rising off the field for Ryan Day and Ohio State when it comes to a key recruitment

A bit of concern is rising for Ohio State when it comes to the current set of verbal commitments that they have for the 2025 class.

The Buckeyes have three linebackers committed in the class and worry is growing that they could eventually lose a key one. Tarvos Alford has been committed to Ohio State since March but is showing interest in schools that are closer to home for him .

Alford visited Miami last week and will take an official visit to Florida State when the Seminoles take on the Memphis Tigers. Alford is a four-star linebacker and top-100 player from Vero Beach, Florida.

Alford and Riley Pettijohn join in-state commit Eli Lee as the three linebackers that Ohio State is set to bring in when National Signing Day gets here. But with Alford visiting schools closer to home, he is clearly looking at other options.

In the day of name, image, and likeness, no player is really set to enroll until they actually put pen to paper. It is harder when you’re recruiting so many high-level players that other schools are trying hard to get.

The path to getting on the field is likely a lot easier at both Florida State and Miami at linebacker. Alford very well could make an impact as a freshman at both schools, whereas he likely will not be doing that if he were to end up in Columbus like he is currently set to do.

Ohio State will fight to hold on and won’t give up easily. At this time, there is no sign that Alford is going to decommit, but that possibility will rise with the more attention that Alford is giving other schools.

Right now, the two ACC programs are the biggest threat to swoop in on the talented linebacker. Ohio State getting him back on campus during the season will be key.

Ohio State’s 2025 commits

• QB Tavien St. Clair
• CB Devin Sanchez
• CB Na’eem Offord
• OT Carter Lowe
• LB Tarvos Alford
• RB Bo Jackson
• DE Zahir Mathis
• DL London Merritt
• TE Nate Roberts
• WR De’Zie Jones
• S DeShawn Stewart
• LB Eli Lee
• S Cody Haddad
• S Faheem Delane
• WR Quincy Porter
• RB Isaiah West
• WR Bodpegn Miller
• OL Jake Cook
• DE Zion Grady
• TE Brody Lennon
• DL Trajen Odom
• DL Maxwell Roy
• LB Riley Pettijohn
• DL Jarquez Carter
• OL Jayvon McFadden
• WR Phillip Bell

Related: Ohio State misses out on major five-star recruit that could end up with a Big Ten foe