Youngstown standout Anthony Blalock Jr. stunned the Ohio State Buckeyes by committing to Alabama, leaving Ohio State to defend its home turf against the Crimson Tide’s relentless recruiting reach.
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a solid start for their recruiting class in 2027 this spring but lost out on a key offensive lineman on Monday.
Per 247 Sports, Ohio State has the No. 7 class for 2027 with 18 commits, including two five-star commits and 10 four-star athletes.
The Buckeyes have made the trenches a priority this offseason, with eight of their top 10 commits playing on the offensive or defensive line.
Per Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, Ohio State received some bad news on the recruiting trail for the 2028 class. Four-star offensive tackle Anthony Blalock Jr. chose Alabama over the Buckeyes and Texas Tech.
"BREAKING: Four-Star OT Anthony Blalock Jr. (2028) has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for Rivals," Fawcett posted on X. "The 6’6 315 OT chose the Crimson Tide over Ohio State & Texas Tech.
"'I give all the glory to God! I just want to thank my family… let the legacy begin.'”
To add insult to injury for Ohio State, Blalock chose the SEC powerhouse despite being much closer to Columbus. He's a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and plays high school football for Fitch High School.
Fans on social media reacted to Blalock choosing Alabama.
"Poor, pitiful Bama. Everyone’s just passed them by. Don’t know what they’re gonna do without Saban," wrote a fan.
"But I thought Bama was broke. Everybody, including Clay Travis, is saying Bama’s broke," posted another.
"When we inevitably finish #1 in recruiting for 2028 it’s gonna make a lot of people look really stupid," argued a poster.
"Does he know Alabama is a sinking ship program without Saban?" asked a fan.
"Congrats on the Bama lock, now you just have to figure out how to fit that 315‑pound frame through the Crimson Tide’s snack bar line," posted another.
"2028 gives us plenty of time to flip him," hopes a fan.
Blalock committed to Alabama early for the 2028 cycle. While he's set to move to Tuscaloosa in a couple of years, there is still plenty of time for him to change his mind and flip.
Whether Ohio State would be in the mix would remain to be seen.
