One team at the top for coveted 4-star LB Tarvos Alford ahead of decision
Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford is just a few days away from his commitment decision, with Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCF still in the running.
The home state schools have worked hard to keep Alford in the Sunshine State, but it’s an out-of-state program trending in the final days. Ohio State holds a heavy advantage in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), and that’s reflected in the latest intel from On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons as well.
“Right now a few days out, I still like where Ohio State sits,” Simmons said Wednesday during On3’s Inside Scoop show. “They made the change with James Laurinaitis, the new linebackers coach there. He [Alford] was just there a few days ago, back this summer, and for a game in the fall. He likes Columbus and they put out a lot of top linebackers over the years. I like — right now, today — Ohio State.”
Tennessee making a last final push, but Buckeyes have relationships on their side
Earlier this week, Alford took a last visit to Tennessee before his decision. The Vols have been thought to be in the second tier of schools battling for him, behind the likes of Ohio State and Miami. That visit came right after a trip to Columbus, where his family got to meet head coach Ryan Day.
“We had a meeting with Coach Day and it was the first time my dad had met him,” Alford told Lettermen Row. “It was my dad’s first time getting a feel for him so it was real great for my dad to hear Coach Day talking about how I’m a priority for them, how they need me there, how they want me there and to come in and make an impact.”
Alford admits his dad is Hurricanes fan and wants him to stay closer to home, but he had never experienced Ohio State before until this weekend. Part of the conversation during the visit, which also had Alford’s mom and stepdad, was that should he commit to the Buckeyes, Day wants everyone to commit to the Buckeyes.
That was a big moment for Alford and his family and things started to click moving forward. His dad got the opportunity to see Ohio State and his son sees it.
“It was very important to me,” Alford said. “I feel like he was looking at Ohio State from a different aspect, he’s a Miami fan and that 2002 national championship is always with him. But he got a feel for all the coaches, the city, the facilities and the people in the building.”
Tarvos Alford Recruiting Profile
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is the No. 72 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the country’s No. 8 linebacker and the No. 9 recruit in Florida.
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“Alford is one of the most physically imposing prospects regardless of position in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Measured in at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds with a freakish 6-foot-10 wingspan during summer campus visits. Easy sideline to sideline speed, closes to the ball extremely quickly. Has tested very well during the spring camp circuit. Impressive long speed on the track as well running 23.88 in the 200m as a sophomore and a strong 11.67 100m during his freshman track and field season. Striker as a tackler, violent player. Comfortable as a space defender, especially in zone coverage. High upside prospect who should develop into an enforcer at the next level.”
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