Ohio State already holds the No. 1 ranked 2028 recruiting class according to 247Sports, but the Buckeyes are far from finished building it. One of their key remaining targets is four-star safety Brandon Nash out of St. John Bosco in California, and a fellow Big Ten program is working to complicate the pursuit.
UCLA, now a West Coast member of the conference, has emerged as a legitimate threat to pull Nash away from Columbus.
What Happened
Ohio State offered Nash in June 2025. The 6-foot-2, roughly 185-200 pound safety has maintained strong contact with the Buckeyes staff and has already visited Columbus multiple times. Recruiting analysts have consistently listed Ohio State as the current leader in his recruitment.
Nash is ranked as a top-15 safety and roughly a top-200 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite (rankings fluctuate slightly by service). He is viewed as a high-upside addition to a secondary that Ohio State wants to continue reinforcing.
However, Nash is scheduled to attend the UCLA-California game next weekend. That visit carries weight because both in-state programs are recruiting him aggressively. Multiple reports indicate that if Nash ultimately decides to stay in California, UCLA is considered the team to beat.
Why This Matters
Ohio State took only two safeties in the 2027 class — four-star Eli Johnson and three-star Angelo Smith (brother of former Buckeye star Jeremiah Smith). Neither was a premier national prospect at the position. As a result, the staff is prioritizing multiple safeties in the 2028 cycle.
The Buckeyes’ top safety target remains five-star Casey Barner. They are also involved with Gaige Weddle, the son of former NFL safety Eric Weddle and another California product. Landing two or three safeties in the class is the goal, but filling those spots early could reduce the available scholarship space or urgency for Nash.
UCLA’s increased investment in football and its ability to keep a California prospect close to home make the Bruins a real variable in this recruitment.
Key Details Fans Need to Know
- Current leader: Ohio State remains the favorite according to most recruiting reports.
- Main threat if he stays in California: UCLA, with California also in the mix.
- Other notable schools: Oklahoma, Arizona State, Washington, and others have offered.
- Fit at Ohio State: Nash has a connection to current Buckeye defensive end Epi Sitanilei from their time together at St. John Bosco.
- Staff evaluation: Safeties coach Matt Guerrieri and the defensive staff have maintained consistent communication since the offer.
On3’s Adam Gorney recently noted that if Ohio State loads up at safety with other targets, Cal or UCLA would become the safest landing spots for Nash.
What Happens Next
Nash’s visit to the UCLA-California game will be closely watched. How he responds to the in-state attention, combined with Ohio State’s progress on other 2028 safeties (especially Barner and Weddle), will shape the rest of the recruitment.
The Buckeyes still hold a strong position, but the presence of a Big Ten program in Los Angeles adds a new layer of competition that did not exist in previous cycles.
The Bigger Picture
Ohio State’s 2028 class is already positioned to contend for the national No. 1 ranking. Securing another high-level California safety would further strengthen the secondary pipeline. Whether Nash ends up in Columbus or stays on the West Coast will depend on how the numbers and relationships develop over the next several months.
This is one of several key battles the Buckeyes will need to navigate as they try to sustain elite recruiting under Ryan Day.
13. FAQ Section
Who is Brandon Nash?
A 2028 four-star safety from St. John Bosco High School in California ranked among the top safeties in his class.
Which school is currently leading for Nash?
Ohio State is widely viewed as the leader.
Why is UCLA a threat?
UCLA is recruiting him hard, he has worked out there, likes the staff, and the proximity of staying in California is appealing. The Bruins are also investing more heavily in football as a Big Ten member.
How many safeties has Ohio State taken recently?
Only two in the 2027 class, neither of whom were elite national prospects at the position.
When is Nash’s next notable visit?
He is scheduled to attend the UCLA-California game next weekend.
Reader Question
Do you think Ohio State will ultimately land Brandon Nash, or will UCLA’s in-state pull prove too strong?
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