Ohio State flips local safety Kaden Gebhardt from Clemson

Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy safety Kaden Gebhardt has flipped his commitment from Clemson to Ohio State.

“For me one big thing for me, being close to my family. It’s a 20-minute drive. It ain’t too bad to play for the best team in the country for the best defensive coordinator in the country in Matt Patricia.

“I’ve had a relationship with Coach Day since peewee ball. I’ve been playing with RJ Day since the fourth grade. For the past two weeks Coach Day took over trying to recruit me fully and put a lot of effort into it and at the end of the day I just wanted to stay home and play for the Buckeyes.

The touted in-state defensive back visited the local Buckeyes program for practice last Tuesday. Gebhardt becomes commit No. 28 for Ohio State in the 2026 cycle and was recruited by Matt Guerrieri.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Gebhardt has always had a lot of love for Ohio State.

“I have great relationships with Coach Guerrieri and Coach Day,” he has said in the past. “Love everything about OHio State and where they see me playing in their defense.

“I could see myself playing for the Buckeyes.”

Now Gebhardt will.

Gebhardt adds to an Ohio State class Rivals previously ranked No. 5 nationally. As a senior he had 106 tackles including eight passes defended and two interceptions. He was a four-year varsity starter 418 career tackles and 11 interceptions.