2025 safety Cody Haddad commits to Ohio State

Cleveland St. Ignatius three-star safety Cody Haddad has committed to Ohio State.

He chose the Buckeyes following his decommitment from Wisconsin on April 1.

Haddad is the No. 440 overall prospect and No. 31 safety in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 14 player in Ohio.

The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back was in Columbus for his third visit to Ohio State this year on March 21. The Buckeyes offered in January and capitalized after Haddad backed off his pledge to the Badgers.

“The day went great,” Haddad told Lettermen Row of his first of two OSU visits last month. “It started with meetings and then we got to watch practice, which was insane. It didn’t disappoint at all. I then had more meetings and met with the coaches. I spoke with Coach Day and Coach G(uerrieri), and we just caught up. I had a blast.”

Ohio State Class Breakdown

Early in the 2025 cycle, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his staff have gotten busy. Of OSU’s 13 commitments, nine are on that side of the ball and five are in the secondary. Ohio State holds commitments from the nation’s top two cornerback recruits — Five-Star Plus+ CB Na’eem Offord and five-star corner Devin Sanchez. Their class also includes top-75 EDGE Zahir Mathis, top-70 cornerback Blake Woodby, four-star EDGE London Merritt, four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, four-star cornerback DeShawn Stewart and in-state standout linebacker Eli Lee.

On the offensive side, OSU has already locked up its quarterback in the class with elite passer Tavien St. Clair, who ranks No. 2 nationally at the position in the On300. He’s joined by Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe, and four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones.

The Buckeyes picked up Washington (Okla.) four-star tight end Nate Roberts just ahead of kickoff for its 2024 spring game on April 13.