4-star LB Tarvos Alford commits to Ohio State: ‘If you go there, you are on the verge of making history’
Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford announced a top six of Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCF on Feb. 2. The Buckeyes, Hurricanes and Knights went “back and forth” at the top of his recruitment for a good amount of time.
But in the end, Ohio State won out. Alford committed to the Buckeyes on a March 23 visit to Columbus and publicly announced his decision on Saturday.
“I’m big on tradition,” Alford told On3. “It’s a college town and I want to be in a college town and get that college atmosphere. There is a lot of history at Ohio State and people leave a legacy. I feel like if you go there, you are on the verge of making history and your name will be written in the history books for college football.”
Alford feels ‘at home’ at Ohio State
Alford will be back at Ohio State for his official visit from May 31-June 2. He is looking forward to playing for both head coach Ryan Day and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound recruit shared that even though the decision to choose the Buckeyes was difficult, he believes playing for the Big Ten program will be the best thing for his college football career. Alford still plans to take official visits to Florida State, Miami and UCF, but is “definitely locked in” with the Buckeyes.
The No. 72 overall prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking is excited to be the latest player to go from the Sunshine State to Ohio State.
“There’s something about that place,” said Alford, the No. 7 linebacker and No. 8 player in Florida in the 2025 On300. “When you go there, you feel at home. You feel like they really want you and that you can do big things there.”
Alford is excited to play for Day and Laurinaitis, who was ‘the key’ to his commitment
Alford chose the Buckeyes for multiple reasons. Yet Laurinaitis “was definitely the key” to his decision.
The four-star was impressed by Laurinaitis’ success while playing college football at Ohio State. The coaching style of the Buckeyes’ assistant also intrigues him.
“I like how he talks to people,” Alford said. “He is young enough to relate to younger recruits, but he is also old enough and been through things to relate to their parents… Coach Laurinaitis can do both. He makes everybody feel comfortable and feel the love.”
When Alford committed to Ohio State on campus, Laurinaitis was “jumping up and down” in excitement about the decision. The Florida native made Day very happy as well.
Ohio State has been one of the top college football programs in the country under Day. That is one reason why Alford is confident that playing for Day is the right move for him.
“Coach Day is a great man,” Alford said. “He’s been winning at Ohio State for a while. He’s been coming close to winning a national championship, but I feel like this is the year that they’re going to be able to get that done, along with the years going forward with the 2025 class and the classes after that.”