LSU firing Brian Kelly should help Ohio State football keep 5-star commit on board

When it comes to 5-star defensive back Blaine Bradford, there will probably be nothing that can put Ohio State fans at ease until he puts pen to paper in December and, officially, becomes a Buckeye.

But with LSU dismissing Brian Kelly, it puts Ohio State's biggest competitor in flux. The focus for that program will be less about recruiting and more about getting their next hire right and managing the roster as major changes to the staff are ahead.

How solid is Blaine Bradford to Ohio State?

​Bradford, one of the top defensive backs in the nation, committed to Ohio State at the end of March and has never wavered. When asked about his commitment level to the Buckeyes, Bradford has always said that he's completely locked in with Ohio State. 

​When Bradford was asked about his recruitment in May, he explained why he decided on Ohio State and was basically shutting everything down.

"I'm only taking one official visit...Ohio State. I never really understood why people committed and still took visits. I feel like if you commit, you're committed for a reason. I feel like it would be disrespectful for me to go out there and take other visits. Like they say, the best in the country go to Ohio State."

Blaine Bradford in May

A month later Bradford took his official visit to Columbus, and he's stayed true to his word by not scheduling any other official visits. 

Does Bradford have ties to LSU?

Yes, his brother, Justin Bradford, was part of the Tigers' 2025 recruiting class. With Kelly's departure, there's a question about how many players from the current roster will stay at LSU past this season. Again, there's been nothing to suggest that Blaine Bradford has even been wavering in his commitment.

​There are many things that are likely to make Bradford happy with his choice. Ohio State is the defending national champion and currently No. 1-ranked team in the country. The Buckeyes have continued to be a machine under Ryan Day and have a great track record of developing blue-chip prospects into NFL draft picks. 

First-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has been in his bag all season and his ability to use All-American safety Caleb Downs all over the field will likely result in him winning the Jim Thorpe Award and becoming a first-round NFL draft pick next April. Bradford has to be excited thinking about playing in Patricia's defense and stepping into the role that Downs is excelling in this season.