Breaking: Decision date locked in for 4-star LB to join Ohio State

The Vero Beach (Fla.) High blue-chipper will commit in late March.

Vero Beach (Fla.) High Top247 2025 linebacker Tarvos TJ Alford confirms with 247Sports he will commit on March 30.

“Florida, Miami, UCF, Florida State, Ohio State and Tennessee,” are the finalists.

This past weekend he told 247Sports that Ohio State, Miami and UCF were separating in his recruitment.

“Right now I’m feeling the best about Miami, Ohio State, UCF and a couple other schools,” Alford told 247Sports.

Tabbed by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 7 linebacker and No. 48 prospect overall, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Alford was back at Miami this past weekend.

Really how they use their linebackers,” Alford said. “They let their linebackers be athletes. I feel like that’s what I am. They let them stop the run, cover and come off the edge. That fits me perfectly.”

The Buckeyes program checks a lot of boxes for Alford as well. He will return March 23.

“Really Coach (James) Laurinaitis,” Alford said. “He done did it at the highest level and won the Butkus Award and many other awards. I feel to be the best you have to be taught by the best.

“Back in the day Ohio State was just an offensive school. I feel like since Coach (Jim) Knowles got their defense took a huge jump to be one of the best defenses in the nation.”

UCF has been rising with Alford.

“Coach Gus (Malzahn) is a great guy,” he said. “He’s been around this for a long time. I think he’s the only person that beat Saban about three times I think it was. I feel like he’s a great head coach and UCF is on a great come up.”

Alford wants to make the rounds before committing.

“I know I’m getting back to Ohio State in the spring,” Alford said. “UCF in the spring. Auburn in the spring.”

Alford talked about what he was looking for in a school.

“Really somewhere my family feels comfortable at,” Alford said of what he’s looking for. “Where they can drop me off and they can be like they’re going to take care of my son. Somebody that’s going to develop me on and off the field and a great education system.

 

 

 

Ohio State continues to set the bar for top tight end Nate Roberts

Washington (Okla.) high school four-star tight end Nate Roberts is one of the most coveted players at his position in the entire country. The 6-4, 235-pounder from the class of 2025 has over 30 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and others.

Washington (Okla.) high school four-star tight end Nate Roberts is one of the most coveted players at his position in the entire country. The 6-4, 235-pounder from the class of 2025 has over 30 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Utah, Washington and others.

Regarding his ranking, 247Sports lists him at No. 101 overall, the No. 6 tight end in the country and No. 3 prospect in the state of Oklahoma. The industry-generated composite rankings slot Roberts at No. 107 overall, No. 4 at his position in the class and No. 2 overall in his home state.

Roberts has narrowed his recruitment to five finalists. Oregon, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Michigan. Once committed to Notre Dame, Roberts decommitted from the Fighting Irish and quickly turned his attention to these five programs.