Ohio State has missed on its top remaining target for the 2026 class.
Despite having tons of momentum with five-star safety Bralan Womack for the majority of the summer, the Buckeyes couldn’t close the deal down the stretch, as the No. 1 safety in America committed to Auburn on Thursday.
Womack chose the Tigers over OSU, Florida and Texas A&M. While monetary factors were certainly prevalent in the Mississippi native’s decision, other factors mattered in this recruitment, too. Womack’s sister plays softball at Auburn, and he’ll very likely start for the Tigers in his freshman season (even if Hugh Freeze is eventually fired this fall), whereas a starting role at OSU would not have been guaranteed.
Ohio State still has one of the country’s top safeties committed in Blaine Bradford and a standout playmaker in Simeon Caldwell, though Caldwell’s best fit collegiately is likely at linebacker. Considering Caldwell’s best long-term fit may be elsewhere and Jordan Thomas is the lone cornerback committed to OSU for 2026, expect the Buckeyes to be active in identifying potential flip targets at defensive back this fall. If Tim Walton and company can’t secure a flip, it’s a good bet OSU will take a look at the transfer portal for additional depth.
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