Recruiting is a fickle beast. One day you’re the favorite to land the number one safety in the country, and the next, you’re watching him pull a hat out from under a table that doesn't have a Block O on it. That’s basically what happened with Ohio State football recruiting Bralan Womack.
Look, we all know the Buckeyes usually get who they want. Tim Walton and Matt Guerrieri are monsters on the trail. But the saga of Womack, the 5-star phenom out of Hartfield Academy in Mississippi, is a weird one. Honestly, it’s a masterclass in how quickly the "momentum" everyone talks about can just evaporate.
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For a long time, it felt like Womack was Columbus-bound. He visited. He raved about the development. He looked like the perfect heir to the "Best in the Desert" secondary throne. Then, the SEC did what the SEC does.
Why the Bralan Womack Chase Stung for Ohio State
Bralan Womack isn't just another fast kid with a high star rating. He’s a freak. We’re talking about a guy who won the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior. That’s a state that produces NFL talent like it’s a factory.
He didn't just play safety; he dominated on both sides of the ball. Imagine a kid snagging eight interceptions on defense and then turning around to catch 54 passes for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver. It’s a lot. Most schools would be happy if a recruit did half of that.
Ohio State saw him as a potential Caleb Downs type. A "plus-one" defender who could erase the middle of the field or man up on a slot receiver without breaking a sweat. When he committed to Auburn in August 2025, it felt like a gut punch to the 2026 class.
But then things got even weirder.
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Auburn fired Hugh Freeze mid-season. Chaos ensued on the Plains. Usually, that’s when Ohio State swoops back in to say "hey, remember us? We have stability." But Womack didn't look north. Instead, he chose to stay home, flipping his commitment to Mississippi State in December 2025.
The Real Reason Ohio State Missed Out
People love to talk about NIL money. Sure, that’s always a factor in 2026. But with Womack, it felt more personal. His sister plays softball at Auburn, which was the original draw. When that coaching staff crumbled, the pull of playing for his home state—the chance to be the hero for the Bulldogs—outweighed the allure of a National Championship ring in Columbus.
It’s kinda refreshing, even if it sucks for Buckeye fans. Womack talked openly about wanting to be the next Dak Prescott figure for Mississippi State. He wanted to lead. At Ohio State, he would have been another elite piece in a machine. At State, he’s the foundation.
What the 2026 Secondary Class Looks Like Now
If you're worried that the secondary is falling apart because of one missed 5-star, you haven't been paying attention. Ohio State's 2026 class is still absolutely loaded. They didn't just sit around and pout after the Womack news.
- Blaine Bradford: The 5-star safety out of Louisiana. If Womack was 1a, Bradford is 1b. He’s already in the fold and brings that same SEC-country physicality.
- Simeon Caldwell: A hybrid athlete from Florida. Some scouts think he might outgrow safety and play linebacker, but his range is elite.
- Jay Timmons: A lockdown cornerback from Pennsylvania who joined the class in late 2025.
- Jordan Thomas: Another New Jersey standout from Bergen Catholic.
The Buckeyes are basically building a wall. Losing Womack hurt the "prestige" of the class ranking, but it didn't break the depth chart.
The Transfer Portal Safety Net
The 2026 roster is also being bolstered by the portal. Ohio State recently added Terry Moore, the former Duke safety. It’s a clear sign that Ryan Day and Jim Knowles aren't willing to gamble solely on freshmen.
In the modern era, if you miss on a high school kid like Womack, you just go buy a proven starter from the ACC or Big 12. It’s cold, but it works.
Bralan Womack: The Stats You Should Know
To understand why the staff was so obsessed with him, you have to look at the raw numbers. These aren't "illustrative examples"—this is the actual production that had Ryan Day flying into Flowood, Mississippi.
- Height/Weight: 6'0", 200 lbs (Verified).
- Speed: 11.03 in the 100m. He’s not just "football fast," he’s track fast.
- High School Career Interceptions: 16. The kid is a literal ballhawk.
- 2024 Accolades: MAIS Class 6A State Champion, Gatorade Player of the Year.
He’s a "three-dimensional" safety. He can hit you in the run game, play deep zone, or lock down a tight end in man. Honestly, players like that don't come around every cycle.
The Verdict on Ohio State Football Recruiting Bralan Womack
The "L" in the Womack recruitment is a rare one for Tim Walton. But it's a reminder that geography still matters. When a kid feels the pull to stay home and rebuild a local program, even the biggest brands in college football can't always win.
Ohio State's 2026 class is still trending toward a top-3 finish nationally. They have the 5-star wideouts like Chris Henry Jr. They have the elite linebackers. The secondary will be fine. But as Bralan Womack suits up for the Bulldogs in 2026, Buckeye fans will always wonder "what if" he had been patrolling the back end in the Horseshoe instead.
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What to Watch Next
Keep an eye on the late-cycle movement for the 2026 class. With Womack officially off the board and signed with Mississippi State, the Buckeyes are likely to turn their attention toward flipping other SEC commits.
Specifically, watch Khmari Bing and the staff's pursuit of additional depth in the nickel spot. The Buckeyes are also expected to be major players in the spring transfer portal window to fill the experience gap left by seniors graduating after the 2025 season.
The focus now shifts from "landing the big fish" to "polishing the roster" for a championship run. Womack is the one that got away, but the net is still very, very full.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor 247Sports and On3 for any late 2026 defensive back offers; the staff usually moves quickly once a top target is officially gone.
- Watch Blaine Bradford's senior highlights; he is the undisputed leader of this secondary class now.
- Don't expect a "replacement" for Womack in this cycle—the staff will likely look to the portal for a veteran rather than a project recruit.