Eric Boggs
Coming off a national championship, the expectation was that Ohio State football would dominate the recruiting trail. Instead, the Buckeyes are trending in the opposite direction — and Thursday’s loss of five-star safety Bralan Womack to Auburn might be the clearest sign yet that something is wrong in Columbus.
For months, Ohio State led in Womack’s recruitment, building significant momentum over the summer. The Buckeyes had positioned themselves as the frontrunner for the No. 1 safety in the nation. But when decision day came, Womack picked Auburn over Ohio State, Florida, and Texas A&M.
Sources indicate that NIL opportunities played a major role in his choice. Auburn was willing to go all-in financially, while Ohio State’s offer couldn’t keep pace. There were also personal factors at play: Womack’s sister plays softball at Auburn, and the Tigers can virtually guarantee him a starting role as a freshman — something OSU couldn’t promise.
Still, Ohio State’s inability to close on Womack stings for several reasons. Not only does he fill a critical need in the secondary, but the miss highlights a troubling trend under new athletic director Ross Bjork. Multiple high-profile recruits, including Savion Hiter (TTUN), Felix Ojo (Texas Tech), and several elite defensive ends, have slipped away in recent months. Fans and insiders point to Bjork’s conservative approach to NIL funding as a key reason why the Buckeyes continue to lose battles against southern programs willing to spend more aggressively.
Ohio State’s 2026 class currently ranks ninth nationally, which would be the worst finish of the Ryan Day era outside of the 2019 transition year. That’s not where a defending champion should be — especially one trying to build on elite momentum. While the Buckeyes have talented commits like Blaine Bradford and Simeon Caldwell, depth in the secondary remains a concern. Caldwell may ultimately fit better at linebacker, and Jordan Thomas is the lone cornerback currently pledged to the class.
The defensive backfield coaching staff, led by Tim Walton, will now be forced to scour the market this fall for potential flip candidates and will almost certainly explore the transfer portal for reinforcements. But the larger issue looms: if Ohio State doesn’t adjust its recruiting and NIL strategy soon, the gap between the Buckeyes and their top competition could widen quickly.
Fans are beginning to grow restless. After winning a national championship, missing out on elite recruits — especially at positions of need — has amplified frustrations. If Ross Bjork doesn’t change course and find ways to compete financially, this could develop into a long-term problem.
For a program built on championship expectations, falling behind in recruiting isn’t just concerning — it’s unsustainable.
