Nation's No. 1 Safety Narrows Commitment Down To Five Schools

Blaine Bradford , who ranks as the nation's top safety in the 2026 college football recruiting cycle, has narrowed his list of potential destinations to five programs: the Ohio State Buckeyes, LSU Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Bradford is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Baton Rouge, LA, who is entering his junior year at Catholic High School (LA).

Bradford is ranked as the No. 1 safety and No. 3 prospect within Louisiana. He is also listed as the No. 10 overall recruit in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

The four-star recruit has visited each of his five finalists, most recently visiting Oregon in late July. He also returned to Notre Dame for a second visit in July.

In March, Bradford told On3 that the hometown Tigers had already solidified their status as a contender in his recruitment, where he highlighted the Tigers' star-studded 2025 recruiting class as a point that intrigues him.

“I am super interested in them,” Bradford said. “They are the hometown team. They have a program that is built up. That 2025 class coming in is great too and LSU has real potential. I have been there so many times and they are so consistent. The staff wants what is best for their players and their legacy is strong.”

Bradford is a heavy favorite for the Tigers as LSU currently holds an 88.5 percent chance of landing his commitment, according to On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Bradford does not yet have a commitment date established, but the fan bases of each of Bradford's top five programs will be eagerly awaiting his decision whenever that may come.

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