The Ohio State Buckeyes are making a strong push to land five-star prospect Blaine Bradford for their 2026 recruiting class. The standout safety from Catholic High is not just any recruit. He is ranked as the No. 1 safety and the No. 16 overall player in his class, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings.
With his elite skill set and sky-high potential, Bradford has become one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the nation. While Ohio State is making a strong case for Bradford, LSU is also firmly in the mix. Hailing from Baton Rouge, the five-star safety has a natural connection to the Tigers and is seriously considering staying close to home.
Blaine Bradford Is Considering the Ohio State Buckeyes
On February 18, it was officially revealed that Bradford will be making the trip to Columbus.
Ohio State is locked in a fierce recruiting battle with LSU and Texas Longhorns for Blaine Bradford, one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 class. According to On3 Sports’ Recruiting Prediction Machine, LSU holds a commanding 93.9 percent chance of landing the elite safety.
However, the Buckeyes are far from conceding defeat.
“They are the hometown team,” Bradford has said of LSU. “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.”
Despite LSU’s strong position, Bradford has not ruled out Ohio State just yet. He has confirmed a key visit to Columbus in June and will also be attending the Buckeyes’ spring practices on March 29 and 31. These visits could be game-changers for Ohio State and if they make a strong impression, they might just tilt the scales in their favor.
“My favorite things about OSU are the culture, the coaches and how they can guide my future,” Bradford told On3’s Steve Wiltfong.
The Buckeyes will be trying to compensate for the absence of their starting safety Lathan Ransom in 2026. So, Ryan Day will try everything to convince Bradford to choose to play for the Buckeyes.
Bradford Also Has Texas Locked in His Crosshair
Texas has now entered the race for Bradford, which adds even more competition to an already intense recruiting battle. With three powerhouse programs in LSU, Ohio State, and Texas all vying for the top-ranked safety, has set up crucial June visits with each of them.
According to sources, the highly coveted recruit is expected to make his final decision in July.
If Texas manages to land Bradford, their already impressive 2026 recruiting class—currently ranked in the top 10—could break into the top 5. 247Sports’ national scouting analyst Gabe Brooks has also weighed in where he highlighted the significant impact Bradford could have in Austin.
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“Entering junior year, looks like a forward-oriented safety or linebacker who can play in space, while hitting above his weight as a striker,” Gabe Brooks wrote. “Projects to the high-major level as a potential multi-year starter with a promising future.”
The Longhorns have already secured three commitments for their 2026 class, but they are far from finished. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are hitting the recruiting trail hard, meeting with top prospects and mapping out their vision for the future.
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