Signed: Elite safety Blaine Bradford is officially a Buckeye

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 2026 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Blaine Bradford has signed with the Buckeyes.

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COLUMBUS — Ohio State will likely lose Caleb Downs to the NFL after this season but safeties coach Matt Guerrieri has another stud coming to Columbus. Four-star safety Blaine Bradford has signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.

Who is Blaine Bradford?

Blaine Bradford is a four-star safety from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Baton Rouge Catholic High School. Bradford committed to Ohio State on March 31, 2025 over the hometown LSU Tigers. The in-state school tried to flip Bradford until the end but the Buckeyes were able to hold onto him.

Rivals Industry Rankings: No. 75 overall, No. 7 safety, No. 3 in Louisiana

Rivals Ranking: No. 67 overall, No. 4 safety, No. 3 in Louisiana

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: Baton Rouge Catholic

Scouting Report: “Blaine Bradford is a prospect who has been on the national radar for going on several years now. I recall first seeing him make some big plays for Catholic High as a freshman in some showcase games, so he’s been a prospect that we’ve known about for much of the cycle and has shown to be very early on in his high school career. Bradford is, I think for starters, very physically developed. He has a muscular, rocked-up build and certainly is one who does not skip time in the weight room. Our most recent measurements of him have him around between 6 ‘1 and around 200 pounds. He’s got good length, big hands, just kind of a big frame and he’s a very physical player.

“I think when you talk about Blaine Bradford’s strength as a player, you have to start with just the physical edge he plays with. He’s a very good tackler, outstanding just in terms of playing what’s in front of him, whether that’s the quick passing game or as a run defender.  For Ohio State fans, I think the skill set in that regard in terms of his ability to tackle in space and be a physical presence probably will remind you of Caleb Downs. There’s some differences in their game as well, but I think just the way Bradford is able to provide a physical presence will remind Ohio State fans some of Caleb Downs. – Rivals Director of Scouting Charles Power.