Ohio State Shocks Fans with Stunning Recruitment of 4-Star Safety Bradford

Ohio State made a surprising move in the 2026 recruiting class by securing a commitment from four-star safety Blaine Bradford. Ranked as the No. 3 safety in the class and No. 32 in the ESPN Junior 300, Bradford’s decision came after a strong connection with the Buckeyes’ safeties coach, Matt Guerrieri.

Bradford attends Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He had been expected to choose LSU, especially since the school signed his older brother, Jacob, as a defensive back last year. His commitment to Ohio State is a significant win for the Buckeyes, who are currently building their defense for the future.

Measuring 6-foot-1 and weighing 205 pounds, Bradford’s skills on the field are impressive. His commitment makes him the sixth player from the top 300 to join Ohio State this cycle, and the second defensive addition after cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon. This brings excitement about the potential safety tandem of Bradford and four-star freshman Faheem Delane, who is the No. 5 safety in the 2025 class.

This past weekend, the Buckeyes hosted several other elite prospects, including the top-ranked running back Savion Hiter. This shows Ohio State is not just focused on defense, but also on strengthening their entire roster for the upcoming seasons.

In 2025, Ohio State had solid recruiting results, landing the fifth-best class nationally, with standout players like five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair. With these recent commitments, they seem poised to continue this trend.

Recent trends in college football show that recruiting rankings are more important than ever. According to a 2023 study by 247Sports, teams that consistently secure top-10 recruiting classes have a higher chance of making it to the playoffs. This adds pressure for coaches to land high-caliber talent like Bradford.

As the landscape of college football evolves, securing top recruits remains essential. With their strong recruiting efforts, Ohio State is setting up for a bright future.

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