Adding the 4-star Safety and Linebacker to their roster, Ohio State has also recruited a host of other top prospects, such as 5-star Wide Receiver Chris Henry Jr, 5-star Safety Blaine Bradford, and an entire host of other 4-star recruits, including Corner Jakob Weatherspoon, Wide Receiver Jaeden Ricketts, and Tight End Corbyn Fordham.
The Jacksonville native is ranked among the top 100 in his class, ranking as the 95th overall player in the 2026 class.
Why Simeon Caldwell Committed To Ohio State
One of the most impressive parts of the Buckeye’s recruitment of the marquee linebacker is the fact they faced significant competition for his commitment.
The son of the former Jacksonville Jaguar, Mike Caldwell, was approached by a host of top offers and was set to make a series of late-spring trips to Miamu, USC, and Notre Dame, who lost to the Buckeyes in the National Championship last year.
However, upon being approached by Ohio, Caldwell, who is also the nephew of Buckeye’s secondary coach Tim Walton, canceled all of the official visits he had lined up and committed to Ohio State.
Caldwell, when questioned by On3recruits on why he ultimately made the decision to commit to Ohio State, responded with a Blunt three-word response.
“Best IN America.”
BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Simeon Caldwell has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 200 S from Jacksonville, FL chose the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, USC, & Miami
“Ohio State is BIA for a reason. Best IN America.”https://t.co/63e0JszfVM pic.twitter.com/vyQxT9TPsI
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 3, 2025
The newest Buckeyes’ recruit also went on to elaborate on this statement further, further elaborating why it was never a difficult decision for him to commit to Ryan Day’s program.
“I know that this is home! I took the recruiting process slow for a reason & said I was going to commit when I found my home & I have found that in Ohio State!”
Caldwell’s Commitment Represents Defensive Monopoly
Following the recruitment of Caldwell, Bradford, and Weatherspoon, Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day has a monopoly on the 2026 Defensive class, with the two recruits ranking within the top 10 of the 2026 defensive class, according to ESPN.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
At 6’3″ and 190 lbs, the Bolles School Safety is proficient both as a Safety and a Linebacker, earning first-team honors on the Times Union All-First Coast selection. Caldwell is also rated as one of the top 10 linebackers in the 2026 class, according to ESPN.
Alongside Blaine Bradford, who is ranked as one of the top 10 safeties in the 2026 class, the Buckeyes have completely swept some of the best defensive recruits in the country.
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