State Of Alabama's Top In-State Recruit Commits To Ohio State

Auburn and Alabama are not going to give up their pursuit

Auburn and Alabama are going to be playing catch-up for the top 2025 in-state prospect as Ohio State just came into the Yellowhammer State and snagged the top recruit. That's unusual based on recent history.

According to Rivals recruiting rankings, here's where the top in-state player went during the past four cycles. 

In 2021, Alabama signed cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry from Pinson Valley just outside of Birmingham. In 2022, another Birmingham-area recruit was #1 and went with the Crimson Tide with Jeremiah Alexander playing for Thompson High School. The 2023 recruiting cycle would see the lone recent exception, as Clemson came in and stole defensive tackle Peter Woods from Thompson. In 2024, Saraland's Ryan Williams went with the Crimson Tide. That leads us to today.

Despite being early in the 2025 cycle, it's Ohio State landing an elite cornerback that the Tigers and Tide would love to sign. Rivals No. 1 recruit from the state of Alabama, and #10 nationally, would be Birmingham (Ala.) Parker's Na'eem Offord. 

There's good reason. As a cornerback, Offord presents the arm length, speed, and change-of-direction skills that college coaches covet. He's been dominant against top Alabama prep competition. That's proven by his 6A First Team All-State selection from the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Looking at Offord's recruitment, he took an unofficial visit to Ohio State in July of 2023. He's been to Auburn and Tennessee several times for junior days and game-day visits. Alabama, surprisingly, did not gain as much traction with the big-time recruit as it usually does with prospects from the Birmingham area. 

His last trip was to Columbus and that would when the Buckeyes sealed the deal with Offord. Maybe some of the change in the state of Alabama is why he pulled the trigger with the Big 10 program?

Of course, Nick Saban retired and several assistants changed on Alabama's staff. There's little doubt that Kalen DeBoer and his staff will just give up on landing Offord. Doubly so for Hugh Freeze and his staff because many believed the Tigers would be tough to beat for Offord's services.

One can be assured that DeBoer and Freeze will be attempting to get Offord to their respective campuses for an unofficial visit to turn the momentum. Eventually, they'll each want an official visit from Offord as well. Time will tell if one or both of these schools can make a run at Offord.

There's a long way to go until December's National Signing Day. At least for now, the Buckeyes have the Tigers and Crimson Tide playing catch-up for the top Alabama prep prospect.