Four-star safety target Messiah Delhomme commits to Maryland over Ohio State, others
COLUMBUS — Ohio State rarely loses a recruiting battle to a Big Ten rival, but it does happen. This one is interesting, however.
Four-star Newport News (Va) Warwick athlete/safety Messiah Delhomme announced his commitment to Maryland this evening. Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Syracuse and Alabama. Delhomme is the No. 188 overall prospect and the No. 7 athlete in the On3 Industry Rankings. Those numbers move to No. 244 and No. 11, respectively, by On3’s own metrics.
Lettermen Row had maintained a steady pulse on Delhomme’s recruitment and even broke the news of his commitment date.
Why Maryland?
He has great relationships with head coach Mike Locksley and the entire defensive staff. Delhomme visited College Park during the one quiet weekend of July. That was a very under-the-radar trip to see the Terps up close and personal again.
The Buckeyes, even without Delhomme, sit in a great position with their 2025 defensive class heading into the start of the high school season.
Ohio State made Delhomme somewhat of a priority but he wasn’t its top priority. That belonged to four-star Olney (Md) Good Counsel safety Faheem Delane. The No. 47 overall prospect and No. 3 safety in the On3 Industry Rankings committed to Ohio State on June 9.
The Buckeyes have one of the best secondary hauls in the country. Five-star Plus+ cornerback duo Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord are the headliners. Behind Delane are safeties DeShawn Stewart and Cody Haddad.
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has six in the fold and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has three verbal pledges.
Key members of the Buckeyes’ offensive class include St. Clair, high four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe, running back Bo Jackson and borderline five-star wide receiver Quincy Porter.
Ohio State will continue evaluating rising senior prospects as well as the transfer portal for more additions to the safeties haul.
