2025 AL CB Na'eem Offord (Oregon Signee)

[RB07OSU]

I also have pessimism for keeping some top southern recruits and many do, but its rooted in experience following recruiting. All for kids using their visits and enjoying the process, but there is another level of chicanery from the recruits in the south that has instilled some level of distrust on a verbal commitment. But every kid is different and maybe this one sticks. We always knew we wanted 3 CBs in this class, I'm sure Offord knew that and doesn't care on the other offers, especially after McNutt and Brew didn't go down as planned. Both Offord and Sanchez are so talented that I don't think they care a bit about others joining the class and probably welcome the competition.

 

[calibuck]

Seriously looked at this thread of Offord, and played it like I do with the newspapers, and look at the Obits first. We knuckleheads sit on the sidelines and wail about how he's going to flip, and maybe the coaches do as well, but they still are going to fight to the bitter end. A kid as highly ranked as Offord doesn't really care who else joins up, he's confident in his talent enough to take it anywhere. Soooo, methinks there's some outside pressure to stay local. Nothing new here, but haven't lived in the deep south, so don't really know what that family is subjected to. Maybe even some snide remarks when momma goes to the Piggly Wiggly, or gets their oil changed in their auto. Really don't believe there is a significant difference in their NIL takes, but maybe totally off base here. Finally, hope our DB coaches are calling enough to stay in play, and not so much as to be annoying. (Don't know that I'd have the talent to know the difference), but with what tOSU puts on the field, the freshmen DBs aren't getting much PT, given the number and quality of back-ups on the team. Interesting dilemma.

 

[pnuts34]

Seriously looked at this thread of Offord, and played it like I do with the newspapers, and look at the Obits first. We knuckleheads sit on the sidelines and wail about how he's going to flip, and maybe the coaches do as well, but they still are going to fight to the bitter end. A kid as highly ranked as Offord doesn't really care who else joins up, he's confident in his talent enough to take it anywhere. Soooo, methinks there's some outside pressure to stay local. Nothing new here, but haven't lived in the deep south, so don't really know what that family is subjected to. Maybe even some snide remarks when momma goes to the Piggly Wiggly, or gets their oil changed in their auto. Really don't believe there is a significant difference in their NIL takes, but maybe totally off base here. Finally, hope our DB coaches are calling enough to stay in play, and not so much as to be annoying. (Don't know that I'd have the talent to know the difference), but with what tOSU puts on the field, the freshmen DBs aren't getting much PT, given the number and quality of back-ups on the team. Interesting dilemma.

I think he has no more pressure than McNutt’s family does when they walk around the nearest Kroger, or Brew when he and his family walk around the nearest HEB. The local pressure will always be there, but I’m sure most of it is in jest and the majority of people are happy to see the kid just go to college and get a chance to further his career in football. But there’s just nothing OSU coaches can do when schools will flat out Pay for visits. When families are getting upwards of $25k to watch a game with boosters and coaches, how does one say no? Idc if my kid was a 5star who lived down the street from Ohio stadium, me and my wife aren’t wealthy, if say Texas wants to fly my family down as much as possible, and each trip earns $10k, what family would say no to that!? My kid would still be encouraged to head to OSU and sign in the end, but how do fans expect familys, many in worse financial situations than I am, and some in abject poverty to not take paid visits. It’s very disingenuous and naive of fans to expect kids to just commit and sign and take no additional visits before they sign. As long as there’s an open line of communication with OSU coaches, it doesn’t even matter. The boosters are willing to spend it, so the family’s should have no problem taking every penny they can. Because I can assure you many of them are in a big hole from traveling, food, camps, uniforms, etc from pee wee up until HS.

 

[calibuck]

I entirely get what you're saying. Taking off my scarlet-lensed glasses, can see how that easy money would help out the family a bunch. Of course I'm biased, but take HS/college football out of the south, and what's left? PS, now in the time of NIL etc, what's the difference? Openly handing a bag of cash or subtley in an envelope under the table. Heck, most of the people I see in Krogers (in C'bus) are wearing tOSU gear, and envision the same down south....anyway, we'll see what we see. Just hoping our season keeps rolling along the same trajectory, and the team overcomes the obstacles along the way. Beat Oregon!

 

[brodybuck21]

11W Forums

teeedawg 2 hours ago
Per Wiltfong, CB Na'eem Offord will be at Ohio State vs Oregon this weekend.
Flight booked last night.
teeedawg 2 hours ago
The holdup was that Oregon wanted Na'eem Offord to come a couple weeks later vs Illinois to have a more “intimate” visit with fewer prospects and less fanfare.
Offord and his family said no because they are going to Ohio State vs Nebraska that weekend.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

I wonder why they actually wanted him there vs Illinois.

(I don't.....it's bc they wanted to disrupt his visit here)

 

[RB07OSU]

I wonder why they actually wanted him there vs Illinois.

(I don't.....it's bc they wanted to disrupt his visit here)

Gets a free extra visit to see his future team (not Oregon).

 

[calibuck]

Well, after the Oregon performance, could see that he's licking his chops to sign up with Ohio State. Given how badly our back four performed, he's probably figuring that he can step in and make a difference. I've said it once, but having Oregon have such success against our #1 DB is hurtful. Pretty certain, Denzel hasn't had a decent night's sleep since, so hopefully he'll bounce back. Never forget, tOSU shredded Oregon's DBs as well, so there's that perspective. USC is a hot mess, and Auburn looks more like a HS team that a top competitor. To my scarlet-and-gray mind, how our DBs perform against Dylan Riaola (Nebraska), might be the tip point. If our DBs come away with say, four INTs, could make a difference, or not. He's probably cruising boards like this one, to see how Buckeye Nation takes to a little adversity, and how the Buckeyes respond. Of course at my advanced age, I probably view things quite differently than an 18 year old young man, looking to make one of the biggest decisions of his short life. Guess we'll just have to buckle up and see how it goes. Go Bucks!

 

[pnuts34]

Well, after the Oregon performance, could see that he's licking his chops to sign up with Ohio State. Given how badly our back four performed, he's probably figuring that he can step in and make a difference. I've said it once, but having Oregon have such success against our #1 DB is hurtful. Pretty certain, Denzel hasn't had a decent night's sleep since, so hopefully he'll bounce back. Never forget, tOSU shredded Oregon's DBs as well, so there's that perspective. USC is a hot mess, and Auburn looks more like a HS team that a top competitor. To my scarlet-and-gray mind, how our DBs perform against Dylan Riaola (Nebraska), might be the tip point. If our DBs come away with say, four INTs, could make a difference, or not. He's probably cruising boards like this one, to see how Buckeye Nation takes to a little adversity, and how the Buckeyes respond. Of course at my advanced age, I probably view things quite differently than an 18 year old young man, looking to make one of the biggest decisions of his short life. Guess we'll just have to buckle up and see how it goes. Go Bucks!

Well it needs to be factored in, that it was just one game, and more factors into a recruits decision than one game. I doubt OSU gets 4INTs, they'd be happy with 1-2, as this team hasn't created that many turnovers(it's shocking that Igbinosun has only had 1). I'm sure he doesn't cruise many of the CFB boards, as fans are too emotional to gain much rational information from. At this juncture, I can assure you, that after a loss from any team(OSU definitely included), many fans want to the HC and all the staff fired. Why would a teenager want to read that and put any stock into it? This was always going to be a battle to keep Offord, he's a 5star recruit from the deep south with 2 big programs in the same state, and both willing to spend top dollar to keep him home(1 moreso than the other). Denzel had a terrible Saturday evening, but the way the staff treats younger CBs like Matthews and CSH will mean more to Offord, IMO than just how Burke looked

 

[calibuck]

Would have expected that the Oregon coaches cornered him after the game, and pointed out tOSU Dbs got shredded, and that's what kind of coaching he could expect here....but you're spot on, that these recruits will watch the #2's and #3's to see how many minutes they get. Many small pieces does the puzzle contain, and these are but several. The other teams pursuing him aren't having terrific years either. Still hoping for the best, and always want the Buckeyes to do well. Simply put, tOSU is not used to losing, and every time, there is much time spent on placing blame, instead of fixing the problem. Certainly believe that you've hit upon part of the issue, pnut.

 

[RB07OSU]

Well it needs to be factored in, that it was just one game, and more factors into a recruits decision than one game. I doubt OSU gets 4INTs, they'd be happy with 1-2, as this team hasn't created that many turnovers(it's shocking that Igbinosun has only had 1). I'm sure he doesn't cruise many of the CFB boards, as fans are too emotional to gain much rational information from. At this juncture, I can assure you, that after a loss from any team(OSU definitely included), many fans want to the HC and all the staff fired. Why would a teenager want to read that and put any stock into it? This was always going to be a battle to keep Offord, he's a 5star recruit from the deep south with 2 big programs in the same state, and both willing to spend top dollar to keep him home(1 moreso than the other). Denzel had a terrible Saturday evening, but the way the staff treats younger CBs like Matthews and CSH will mean more to Offord, IMO than just how Burke looked

The honest truth is that NIL money was paid to keep Burke here and even if he is playing bad, he stays in. Or that is my take. But they had to give Mathews and/or CSH a shot in that scenario.

As it relates to Offord, come in and start Day 1 my guy. We'll need you in a big way.

 

[pnuts34]

The honest truth is that NIL money was paid to keep Burke here and even if he is playing bad, he stays in. Or that is my take. But they had to give Mathews and/or CSH a shot in that scenario.

As it relates to Offord, come in and start Day 1 my guy. We'll need you in a big way.

That's a crazy take, and I'm not saying that you're wrong. But there has to be something to that, if the coaches chose to keep Burke in. Unless they thought that the moment was too big to sub Matthews or CSH in.

As good as Offord is, it'll be interesting to see if he can start at a place like OSU from Day 1. There's still a ton of talent at CB on this team.

 

[zbuck]

That's a crazy take, and I'm not saying that you're wrong. But there has to be something to that, if the coaches chose to keep Burke in. Unless they thought that the moment was too big to sub Matthews or CSH in.

As good as Offord is, it'll be interesting to see if he can start at a place like OSU from Day 1. There's still a ton of talent at CB on this team.

Is there a ton of CB talent on this team ? I thought so also until this past weekend. If there is a ton why did Day / Walton keep a guy who was so off his game it cost us the game. Does Matthews suck ? Would he have done any worse (If that was actually possible) ?

 

[Onebuckfan]

Is there a ton of CB talent on this team ? I thought so also until this past weekend. If there is a ton why did Day / Walton keep a guy who was so off his game it cost us the game. Does Matthews suck ? Would he have done any worse (If that was actually possible) ?

I’d like to know whose call that would be …I’m assuming Knowles but it could be Walton.

 

[pnuts34]

Is there a ton of CB talent on this team ? I thought so also until this past weekend. If there is a ton why did Day / Walton keep a guy who was so off his game it cost us the game. Does Matthews suck ? Would he have done any worse (If that was actually possible) ?

I’d like to know whose call that would be …I’m assuming Knowles but it could be Walton.

I have the same questions you all do. I’m just at a loss. I too thought(I guess still think) that there was a ton of talent along the CB. But why not rotation, if you’re not cutting it, then why not sit the guy? I remember when a young Gareon Conley started against Mich St when Eli Apple had a sore hamstring. Conley gets cooked, and Coombs(I believe but can’t quite remember) yanks him and put an injured Apple before the game got out of hand.

Sorry I’ll continue this on the Defense thread. Back to Offord

I hope Walton starts rotating more at the very least. And gives Matthews At the very least more reps, and also try Hancock on the outside too. I’m sure Burke can come back from that performance, but he has to earn it. And those are all things you want to show a top recruit, imo. The best play, and every game rep should be earned, not just by seniority