To flip talent despite their verbal commitment to some other programs is a recurring reality in college football. So, unless and until the winter hits, the fate of the 2025 dynasty looks like a tottering reality for the houses, especially for Ryan Day’s Ohio State. The Buckeyes have sealed verbal commitments for a few top prospects for the blazing upcoming years. But their recent lackluster behaviors seem alarming. While five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord is one name on the plate, another one is Four-star Florida linebacker Tarvos Alford. Offord is constantly being lured by the premiums of Oregon Ducks. Meanwhile, for Alford, Miami turns out to be the source of death. An intense family tie with the Hurricanes keeps the eighth-best linebacker in the country informed about his final choice.

There have been a lot of factors playing out in the back of a player’s head before pledging to any program, and quite rightfully so. Obvious parameters like academic growth, athletic graph, infrastructures and facilities, and players’ treatment have been on the forefront while things like a deep-seated childhood bond subtly move the needle behind the scene. For Alford, the subtle can become pivotal and if it really goes that way, a bitter pill is ahead for Day and his team. To add value to the narrative, On3 Recruits‘ Josh Nushberg said, ”he’s another guy with deep south Florida ties, his dad is from Miami. His dad is a huge Hurricanes fan, so Miami will want nothing more than to keep him.”

The standout linebacker made several visits to the Miami camp, and each of the visits was reportedly gratifying enough to make the Florida native second guess the decision he took back in March. He formed a cordial relationship with the Hurricanes coaches. Alfrod seems to be in awe of the infectious energy linebackers coach Derek Nicholson spreads to the mix. With the close contact with Derek’s working style, the young LB deems him as one of the best in the world.

One of the two topmost feel-good factors that might push the athletic linebacker toward Miami, as he split to CaneSport, is Mario Cristobal and the co-seeing him as the top priority and their genuine wish to get him in Coral Gables. The other and the most deciding one is his father’s love for the programs. ”It’s a great feeling just knowing I could be around a lot of my family. Most of my family still lives down there.” the defensive phenom said in an interview.

That said, Ohio State still has its own ground to be a great fit for Alfrod. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis played an instrumental role in landing Alford as the Florida linebacker back in March, and that didn’t come for nothing.

Why did Tarvos Alfrod chose Ohio State over a slew of other programs?

Alford took multiday visits to the Ohio State camp to better understand the air a few months back before giving them a tentative commitment. Apart from the excellent hospitality from the coaches, the one thing that moved the player on the question the most was how deeply knit the coaches and the players were in the locker room. ”It’s really just the culture of the whole school, man. When I go there, I always feel at home. I love the coaching staff and created a great bond with all of them. I feel at ease every time I’m there and with them.”, the 6 foot 2 hyped up the brotherhood culture and the room for comfort as the most appealing factor of the Buckeyes.

Another thing he loves about the University is its spacious, luxurious campus. He deems the stadium as the best among the ones he has visited so far. The sold-out seats, the vibe, and the facilities spoke loudly of the standard they hold all together. ‘‘It was pretty much everything I expected it to be,” said Alford.

Now, it will be interesting to see if Miami can surpass the previous expectation button of the LB and set a new benchmark to follow before the final ink-up.

What’s your take on Tarvos Alford’s family ties playing a role in his potential Miami Hurricanes move? Let us know in the comments.