Ohio State trending for 2025 top-50 LB Tarvos Alford

Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach 2025 four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford is one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle. He has offers from top programs around the country, and one Big Ten school appears to be the favorite at a crucial stage in his recruitment.

Ohio State is trending to land Alford with an 89.1% chance, per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Expert predictions have been logged by Buckeyes recruiting insider Matt Parker (65%) and Florida recruiting insider Corey Bender (60%).

Ohio State, Florida, Tennessee, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Penn State, Rutgers and UCF all made Alford’s October top 10.

“These 10 are the main schools that stay in contact and show the most love,” Alford told On3. “Coaches from all of these school reach out at least once or twice a week, I have built some good relationships and that is a big factor. These are also schools I can see myself playing for and making an early impact at.”

Alford is the No. 60 overall prospect and No. 9 linebacker 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. 8 player in Florida.

On3 ranks Alford higher than other recruiting services. He checks in as the No. 46 recruit, No. 8 linebacker and No. 4 player in Florida in the 2025 On300.

James Laurinaitis, Jim Knowles playing major role in Alford recruitment

At one time, Florida was thought to be the favorite for the in-state recruit. But Gators linebackers coach Jay Bateman departed Florida for Texas A&M after spending two seasons on the staff, and that left some room for the Buckeyes.

“I absolutely think that Ohio State can capitalize here,” Ohio State recruiting insider Matt Parker said earlier this month. “It starts off with the relationship between TJ Alford, James Laurinaitis, Jim Knowles and Ryan Day. The Buckeyes really sunk their teeth into this recruitment in June 2023 when Alford showed up for a recruiting camp in Columbus and had a private workout with Jim Knowles and James Laurinaitis. Any time that happens, any time that an Ohio State coach pulls aside a kid for a private workout at these recruiting camps where hundreds of kids are there, that’s a pretty big deal. That’s pretty significant.

“Ever since then, the relationship between Alford, his family and Ohio State has blossomed into this really positive thing. Alford was on campus for, I believe, the Michigan State game in November 2023. Spent a lot of time with Laurinaitis and Knowles, and that was one of the better games for Ohio State linebackers.

“I just put in a prediction on Sunday for Ohio State to land Alford into the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine with a confidence level of 65%,” Parker added. “Alford has confirmed with me that he’s going to take a visit to Ohio State during spring ball. So all signs are pointing towards the Buckeyes getting this thing done early.”