Na'eem Offord Commits to Ohio State; 5-Star CB Was Linked to Alabama, Colorado, More
Five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord committed to Ohio State on Sunday.
"Just felt like they were the best fit for me to come in and compete with the best of the best getting developed by a coach who has been around the game for a long time," he said to On3's Hayes Fawcett.
His decision comes after a visit to Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend.
Offord is the No. 5 overall player and best cornerback in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2025 class.
It doesn't look like head coach Ryan Day was in serious danger of losing his job, but the general criticism toward his performance was hitting a fever pitch a little over a month ago. The Buckeyes closed out the regular season with a third straight loss to Michigan before delivering a listless offensive performance in a Cotton Bowl Classic defeat to Missouri.
Adding to the consternation, OSU signed Jeremiah Smith, 247Sports' top-ranked recruit for 2024 but only after a last-minute, will-he-won't-he saga.
Since then, Day and his coaching staff have cleaned up in the transfer portal, getting three of the eight best players (safety Caleb Downs, quarterback Julian Sayin and running back Quinshon Judkins) in 247Sports' portal rankings. Center Seth McLaughlin and quarterback Will Howard offer additional depth and experience.
Offord is now the second 2025 5-star cornerback prospect to pledge his future to the Buckeyes. Devin Sanchez committed in January.
Scouting Offord last August, 247Sports' Andrew Ivins wrote he's "a toolsy cornerback prospect with the size to match large perimeter weapons and the speed to cover the deep third."
"Already pretty versed in both press-man and off-man coverage," Ivins said. "Rather fluid for someone that's over 6-foot and can quickly change directions with his agility. Not afraid to break on a ball and will play through hands at the catch point. Can also high-point it."
Nothing is for sure until Offord sign his letter of intent, but Ohio State is poised to have an electric secondary when the 2025 season rolls around.
