3 Ohio State Football commits on flip watch: Will they stay or go?

The Ohio State football program currently holds the nation’s top recruiting class, but with that success comes intense pressure from rival schools hoping to poach their top talent. Three Buckeyes commits—TJ Alford, Zahir Mathis, and Na’eem Offord—are being closely monitored as possible de-commitment risks. While Ohio State fights to keep these standout players, schools like Florida State, Auburn, and Penn State are making strong cases to flip them. Let’s take a closer look at the situation for each recruit.

1. Tarvos "TJ" Alford: Can Ohio State fend off Florida State, Illinois, and Miami?

One of the most promising talents in Ohio State’s defensive unit, TJ Alford, has been attracting attention from several schools. Alford visited Florida State last weekend and previously made a trip to Illinois, a program led by head coach Bret Bielema, who has a strong connection with Alford's high school coach, Lenny Jankowski. Miami has also been pushing aggressively, offering enticing incentives that include substantial NIL deals.

Despite these programs' aggressive pursuits, Alford seems locked in with Ohio State. A key factor here is his relationship with Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, who has played a crucial role in Alford's recruitment.

De-commit likelihood: 2/10
Alford adores Laurinaitis, and as long as the former Buckeye great remains on the coaching staff, it’s likely that Alford will stay committed to Ohio State.

2. Zahir Mathis: A family tug-of-war Between Penn State and Ohio State

Zahir Mathis, an edge rusher from Pennsylvania, has Ohio State and Penn State battling it out for his commitment. Mathis visited Penn State over the summer, and there are rumors he may return to Happy Valley soon. Meanwhile, he is also planning a critical visit to Ohio State for their matchup against Nebraska in late October. This visit will likely play a major role in both Mathis’ decision and Ohio State’s efforts to keep him committed.

One of the biggest hurdles Ohio State faces is Mathis' family, many of whom are die-hard Penn State supporters and are pushing hard for him to stay close to home. However, Mathis has built a strong relationship with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, which could sway his decision.

De-commit likelihood: 5/10
This recruitment is truly a toss-up. Mathis has a lot of pressure from family to choose Penn State, but his respect for Larry Johnson and the opportunities at Ohio State give the Buckeyes a fighting chance.

3. Na’eem Offord: Will Auburn, Oregon, LSU, or Alabama win him over?

Na’eem Offord, a talented defensive back, is another player Ohio State is fighting to keep. Auburn has made the strongest push for Offord, hosting him for Big Cat Weekend in July and for the season opener this fall. He’s expected to return to Auburn for the Oklahoma game at the end of September. Oregon has also been in the mix, with Offord scheduled to visit during Ohio State's game against Oregon.

While LSU and Alabama have also entered the conversation, no official visits have been set with those schools. However, Offord maintains a close relationship with Ohio State defensive backs coach Tim Walton, which could be the key to keeping him committed. Offord is expected to visit Ohio State for the Iowa or Nebraska games, giving the Buckeyes a chance to reinforce their bond.

De-commit likelihood: 4/10
While Auburn has gained momentum and the crystal ball predictions from recruiting experts like Tom Loy lean toward a flip, Offord's relationship with Walton gives Ohio State a solid chance to keep him in their corner.

Ohio State’s top-ranked recruiting class comes with its challenges, as other programs aggressively pursue their best commitments. While TJ Alford seems likely to stick with the Buckeyes, Zahir Mathis and Na’eem Offord’s decisions remain in the balance.

Much will depend on upcoming visits and how well Ohio State can maintain the relationships they've built with these players. For now, the Buckeye faithful can only watch and hope their top talent remains loyal to the Scarlet and Gray.