4-star safety Simeon Caldwell commits to Ohio State: 'I just feel different there'

Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School safety Simeon Caldwell has seen all he needed to see. After visiting Georgia and Ohio State in March, the four-star has committed to Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.

He has family coaching in Columbus, but there was much more that led him to commit to the reigning national champions than Tim Walton being his uncle.

“Knowing he is there and that he has my best interest is important, but without my connection to coach Walton, Ohio State was still the right place for me,” Caldwell told On3. “The academics, the football team, the community and relationships are all there at Ohio State.

“Ohio State is the best program in the country. They are BIA (Best in America) for a reason. It is the best place for me and my family. At Ohio State, it is about family. The team is about brotherhood. They care about life after football there. It is about Ohio State having everything that I am looking for in a school.”

Ohio State was always high on Caldwell’s list. It was mostly in the top two from the beginning. The No. 108 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking had his eyes on Miami, Notre Dame, USC and a few others too, but this last visit gave Caldwell confirmation.

“The visit on March 29 was big. It played a role in my decision, but it has really been about this year with the staff. The relationships have grown, my connection with the staff has gotten better and since we moved into 2025, that is when Ohio State has really started to separate from everyone.

“The visit was important because it was about time with the staff, seeing the team and getting another look at the program. I knew I was ready after that visit.”

New DC at Ohio State blew Caldwell away

The biggest part of the visit was sitting down and meeting with Matt Patricia. The new defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes made a strong impression. He had time with coach Day, coach Walton, Matt Guerierri and others, but being around Patricia gave him the answers he was looking for.

“Meeting coach Patricia in person and starting to build that real relationship was key. We had spoken over the phone, but sitting down with him, getting to speak with him and learning that he is one of the smartest football coaches I have ever met was big.

“We went over the scheme, the way he sees things and knowing what is inside his brain is amazing. He has won Super Bowls, he was in the league for a long time and he is so smart about football.”

Ohio State checked all the boxes for Caldwell

The time with Patricia was the final piece of the puzzle for Caldwell. He had already visited Ohio State multiple times, he had family on the staff, he had relationships and learning about the fit in the new scheme gave him peace.

“Ohio State has everything I am looking for,” Caldwell said. “The relationships with the coaches are strong and I love them all. My connection with them is like no other. At Ohio State, I will be competing at the highest level. I will go against great players in practice and in games. The development is second to none as well.

“The environment is for me. Ohio State has a very comfortable vibe. It is a happy place there. Every time I am there, I just feel different there than when I am at other schools. They know how to have fun and keep a happy vibe, then they know how to lock in and be champions.”

Caldwell now only plans to take one official visit – to Ohio State on June 20.