Signed: Ohio State keep Tarvos 'TJ' Alford in the class despite overtures from Miami
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2025 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Tarvos Alford has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has spent the past few months trying to fend off Miami from flipping one of its top commitments and that process has finally come to an end. Four-star LB Tarvos Alford has now signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.
What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.
Who is Tarvos Alford?
Tarvos Alford is a four-star linebacker from Port St. Lucie, Florida. He attended Vero Beach High School High School. He committed to the Buckeyes on March 30, 2024 over offers from the big three Sunshine State programs in Florida, Florida State, Miami. Alford was the first high profile recruiting win of the cycle for first-year linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
On3 Industry Rankings: No. 134 overall, No. 14 LB, No. 19 in Florida
On3 Ranking: No. 146 overall, No. 16 LB, No. 22 in Florida
Hometown: Port St. Lucie, Florida
High School: Vero Beach
Tarvos Alford is perhaps the most physically-imposing linebacker prospect in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-2 and 210-pound Alford is an athletic freak that excels both in the run game and as a blitzer. He is at his best coming downhill and making plays in the backfield. Alford has the size, speed and instincts to have an impact in coverage as well. He has 94 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four tackles for loss in 11 games as a senior.
Alford is one of linebacker commitments for the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. Ohio State has perhaps the best linebacker class in the country with Alforf, Riley Pettijohn, and Eli Lee.
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How did Alford end up at Ohio State?
Tarvos Alford was born and raised in Florida. He has Miami fans in his family and the Hurricanes worked hard to keep him home even after he committed to Ohio State in March.
Alford always felt at Ohio State, however, and wanted to be a Buckeye.
“There’s something about that place,” Alford told On3. “When you go there, you feel at home. You feel like they really want you and that you can do big things there.”
Alford will be an early enrollee and on campus in January after playing in the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 11.
