4-star LB Tarvos Alford previews commitment, breaks down top five schools

Decision day is just around the corner for Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford. On March 30, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder will announce his commitment, choosing between Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCF.

On Thursday, Alford joined ‘The Five Star Flex’ to preview his decision with On3’s Phillip Dukes. While he’s listed as a linebacker, Alford views himself as much more and is ready to contribute to a college program in due time.

“There ain’t anything I can’t do,” he said. “I can play the ball, I can stuff the run, I’ll go out and cover your slot receiver, your running back, tight end. I can blitz and get to the quarterback. I can do everything, man.”

Alford is the No. 72 overall prospect and No. 8 LB 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. 9 player in Florida.

The Sunshine State product also made it abundantly clear what kind of player one of the five schools is going to be getting when he puts pen to paper and arrives on campus for the 2025 season:

“You’re getting a dog, overall. Great person off the field, great person on the field. You’re getting a leader, a dog that’s going to come and work every day, getting after it, man,” he said. “I’ve played from every position that you can name on the field. Anything you need me to do to make our team better, that’s what you’re getting.”

Alford discusses finalists

Ohio State: “Me and Coach (James) Laurinaitis got a great relationship. He’s done it all. So I feel like going there, he’s going to be able to teach me to do things that I want to do. A lot of people went to Ohio State and made history, so I feel like if I was to go there, my name would get written in the history books as one of the best linebackers to touch the field at Ohio State.”

Miami: “Miami’s the crib, man. My dad grew up a fan, my whole family grew up a fan. It’s just different putting on for your home town, having your whole family there supporting you. Just knowing that they’ve all got your back. Throwing up that U, it’s a different meaning to it than other things.”

UCF: “I’d go there to make history. UCF is on the come up, and I feel like if I went there, my name would be in the history books for UCF. I’m not going to be another player that’s just continuing a legacy, they’re going to remember me as a dude that brought UCF to go win a national championship.”

Tennessee: “I feel like I’d be going to Tennessee because of Coach (William) Inge and Coach (Tim) Banks. Some real down to earth dudes. Coach Inge is a perfectionist, so I feel like that’s what I need as a player. He wants all the little things right so you can make the big plays and all of that.”

Florida State: “Coach (Randy) Shannon, he’s a great guy. Him and my parents grew up in the same area in Miami. They really relate to each other, more of a family than coach and parents. I feel at home when I go there. Me and Coach (Mike) Norvell are talking all the time, he’s a real dude to me.”