Ohio State Poised To Beat SEC Competition For Nation’s Top Safety Recruit

The Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to recruiting battles on the national stage, especially against SEC powerhouses. But in 2025, the Buckeyes are making headlines not just for winning games, but for being on the brink of landing the nation’s top-ranked safety — a generational defensive back talent who’s long been considered a lock for the Southeastern Conference. With a mix of strategic persistence, on-field promise, and a culture that has produced elite NFL talent, Ohio State may be closing in on one of its biggest recruiting coups in recent memory.

A National Prize: Meet Malik Edwards

The safety in question is none other than Malik Edwards, the No. 1 safety in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports, Rivals, and On3 consensus rankings. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Edwards is the prototype for the modern safety: rangy, explosive, instinctive, and physical. Hailing from Buford High School in Georgia — a pipeline for elite SEC prospects — Edwards has been courted heavily by Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Florida, all of whom made his top-five list in March.

But in a move that shocked many insiders, Ohio State not only cracked the list — they surged to the top of it. Over the last few weeks, momentum has shifted dramatically in favor of the Buckeyes. Multiple national recruiting analysts have flipped their predictions to Ohio State, citing both the program’s aggressive recruiting strategy and Edwards’ growing comfort with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri.

The Buckeyes’ Sales Pitch

So what exactly is Ohio State selling that SEC schools aren’t?

It starts with development. Ohio State has become a defensive back factory in recent years. From Malik Hooker to Jeff Okudah, Marshon Lattimore, and more recently, Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom, the Buckeyes have a proven track record of developing defensive backs into NFL stars.

“The way Ohio State develops their DBs is second to none,” Edwards said in a recent interview. “It’s not just the film, it’s the way they prepare you mentally. They teach you to see the whole field, to communicate, to be a leader.”

Beyond player development, Ohio State is pitching opportunity and innovation. Knowles has made the safety position a centerpiece of his defensive scheme. In the Buckeyes’ 4-2-5 alignment, safeties are asked to play multiple roles — deep coverage, box support, slot coverage — sometimes all within the same drive.

That hybrid-heavy role appeals to Edwards, who’s spent time playing cornerback and even linebacker in high school. “Coach Knowles wants to unleash me,” Edwards said. “He sees me as a guy who can roam, hit, cover, do it all.”

Culture and Confidence

One under-discussed factor that may be pushing Ohio State ahead is the culture inside the program. While SEC schools may offer proximity to home and regional prestige, Ohio State offers structure, consistency, and a competitive environment that many recruits feel is less volatile than some Southern powerhouses where coaching turnover is more frequent.

Edwards has visited Ohio State three times, most recently for their spring game on April 5. Sources close to the Buckeyes say the visit was a home run. Not only did Edwards connect with current players and coaches, but he also began building bonds with other top 2025 commits, including five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez and linebacker Tarvos Alford.

“He fits right in,” one Ohio State assistant told a local reporter. “The locker room loves him. He’s the kind of kid who elevates everyone else.”

That internal chemistry might be the final push the Buckeyes need. Edwards is expected to make his decision in late June, and if the current trajectory holds, it will be Ohio State beating the SEC on its own turf.

Why the SEC Isn’t Out Yet

While Ohio State holds the edge, the SEC powers haven’t conceded. Alabama has kept the full-court press on Edwards, with Nick Saban’s successor Kalen DeBoer making him a top priority. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has personally visited Buford twice since January, and LSU is offering a compelling NIL package that could test Edwards’ loyalty.

Sources say Florida, while on the outside looking in, is trying to leverage its defensive staff’s NFL pedigree to get one more visit.

“It’s not over,” said one SEC recruiting coordinator. “He’s a Southern kid. These things go down to the wire.”

The Bigger Picture: Ohio State’s Southern Surge

If Ohio State pulls this off, it won’t just be a win in isolation — it’ll mark a broader trend. The Buckeyes have been increasingly effective in pulling top-tier defensive talent from the South in recent years. In 2024, they landed five-star linebacker Sammy Brown out of Georgia. In 2023, it was safety Caleb Downs before he flipped late to Alabama.

But this year, the Buckeyes seem to be winning those battles outright.

“That’s the thing about Ohio State — they don’t back down,” said 247Sports analyst Brian Dohn. “They go into Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and they don’t just visit. They stay, they build relationships, and they wait. That patience is paying off now.”

NIL and Recruiting Realities

Of course, no recruiting story in 2025 is complete without talking NIL — and in Edwards’ case, it’s no different. He’s received major offers through collective-backed opportunities, especially from SEC schools with deeper regional collectives. But sources say Edwards has been less NIL-motivated than others.

“He’s not chasing the bag,” a Buford coach said. “He wants to win, and he wants to be developed. NIL is part of the picture, but it’s not the whole picture.”

Ohio State’s collectives, including The Foundation, have upped their game in recent months, making sure elite defensive talent knows they won’t be left behind financially. The pitch is simple: you’ll get paid, but you’ll also become a first-rounder. The Buckeyes’ blend of long-term vision with short-term opportunity is resonating with recruits like Edwards who are looking for a balance.

Ohio State’s 2025 Class: A Potential Powerhouse

Landing Edwards would give Ohio State arguably the most impressive secondary class in the country. With Devin Sanchez already committed and fellow top-100 safety Bryce West rumored to be leaning back toward the Buckeyes, Knowles could be looking at a game-changing group.

Here’s how their 2025 defensive back haul could look if Edwards commits:

• Malik Edwards – 5-star safety, Buford (GA)
• Devin Sanchez – 5-star cornerback, North Shore (TX)
• Bryce West – 4-star safety, Glenville (OH)
• Miles Lockhart – 4-star cornerback, Arizona

It would be the kind of elite haul that not only locks down the future of Ohio State’s secondary but also sends a message to the SEC: the Buckeyes can come into your backyard and win the battles that matter most.

Player Comp: Jamal Adams Meets Minkah Fitzpatrick?

In terms of playing style, Edwards is drawing comparisons to former LSU star Jamal Adams and Pittsburgh Steelers standout Minkah Fitzpatrick. Like Adams, he thrives in the box and loves contact. Like Fitzpatrick, he’s a cerebral player who diagnoses plays before they happen.

“He’s a freak,” said one college scout. “Fast, violent, smart — he’s going to be a guy you build your whole defense around.”

That versatility is what makes him so coveted. Whether it’s deep coverage against a five-wide set or crashing the edge to stop a toss play, Edwards is comfortable. It’s rare to find a recruit with such a polished all-around game.

The Timeline and What’s Next

Edwards has announced he will take one more round of official visits in May, then commit before the Elite 11 Finals in June. He has officials scheduled at Georgia (May 10), Alabama (May 17), and Ohio State (May 24), with LSU and Florida vying for the final slot.

His camp says the decision will be based on “development, fit, and trust,” and the Buckeyes currently lead in all three.

“It’s still open, but I have a good idea,” Edwards said cryptically last week. “It’s about who I trust to get me to the next level.”

What It Would Mean for the Buckeyes

Landing Edwards would be the clearest signal yet that Ohio State’s identity as a recruiting superpower is evolving. Under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have built a national brand with Southern roots — and with coaches like Knowles and Guerrieri who are capable of outworking and out-recruiting their SEC counterparts, the program is reasserting itself in defensive recruiting.

It would also set the tone for a 2025 class that could finish top-two nationally — a return to dominance after missing the CFP in 2024 and enduring a frustrating loss to Michigan.

Most of all, it would energize a fanbase hungry for the kind of swagger that defined the Urban Meyer years. Landing Malik Edwards would be more than a five-star commitment. It would be a statement.

Final Thoughts: The Battle Is On

There’s still ground to cover. There’s still pressure to withstand. And in the world of modern recruiting, things can flip on a dime. But as of now, Ohio State holds the lead for the best safety prospect in America — a Southern star with SEC roots who may choose to build his legacy in Columbus instead of Baton Rouge, Athens, or Tuscaloosa.

If Malik Edwards dons the scarlet and gray this summer, it won’t just be a win for the Buckeyes.

It will be a warning shot to the rest of college football: Ohio State is back, and they’re coming for your best players — no matter where they play.