Ohio State made a terrific impression on one of the top-rated linebackers in the 2025 class after he made a visit to Columbus on April 6.
Five-star California linebacker Noah Mikhail said he relished getting to know Ryan Day, Jim Knowles and Jim Laurinaitis and that the experience was something he treasured. Mikhail is considered the 28th-rated prospect and the third-rated linebacker in the 2025 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Great time with the coaches and staff at @OhioStateFB ! Thankful for the opportunity to come out! #GoBucks @ryandaytime @CoachJimKnowles @JLaurinaitis55 @CoachMcGrath22 pic.twitter.com/I2itOAMfDA
— Noah Karim Mikhail 63 215 lbs LB 25 (@noahmikhail3) April 7, 2023
“The visit was great. I really enjoyed being able to get down there and being able to sit down with coach Day and coach Knowles was awesome,” Mikhail told Eleven Warriors. “Being able to spend the day with coach Laurinaitis was great as well.”
Mikhail was offered by Ryan Day after his visit. It was his 32nd Division I offer in total.
Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University! @OhioStateFB #GoBucks @ryandaytime @CoachJimKnowles @JLaurinaitis55 pic.twitter.com/qimkl6weRF
— Noah Karim Mikhail 63 215 lbs LB 25 (@noahmikhail3) April 6, 2023
“Coach Day offered me, and it was while I was sitting down with him talking about football philosophies,” Mikhail said. “I was very excited, and it was an honor to receive the offer. I just wanna keep building relationships with the coaches. I definitely will try to get down there again.”
Mikhail plays several positions for his high school, including wide receiver, outside linebacker and strong safety, but is being recruited primarily as a linebacker by OSU. While April 6 was his first visit to Columbus, Mikhail said he’s spoken with OSU’s coaching staff several times before his visit.
In 10 games last season for Bonita High School (La Verne, California), Mikhail racked up 112 tackles (13 for loss), three sacks, one quarterback hurry, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
“I would say my IQ and ability to play in space as well as read and tackling ability,” Mikhail said when describing his best on-field attribute.
Mikhail said he plans to return to OSU later this fall to attend a game at Ohio Stadium.
Tarvos Alford picks up Ohio State offer
Ohio State made another offer to a talented linebacker in the 2025 class Wednesday, extending an offer to Florida prospect Tarvos Alford. He’s the 10th linebacker prospect to be offered by OSU in the 2025 class.
Unbelievable! Blessed and highly favored to receive an offer from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY! #gobuckeyes #BuckeyeNation @ryandaytime @JLaurinaitis55 @CoachMcGrath22 @CoachKee @CoachGroody17 @CoachJMolina @Andrew_Ivins @MohrRecruiting @RyanWrightRNG pic.twitter.com/jk6HlechDv
— Tarvos Tj Alford II (@TarvosAlford_II) April 12, 2023
Alford does not hold a composite ranking as of yet but has received 15 Division I offers, including Auburn, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Indiana, Kentucky, Liberty, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, USF and Western Kentucky.
In his sophomore year at John Carroll (Fort Pierce, Florida), Alford racked up 103 tackles (6 for loss), two sacks and a blocked field goal. As a freshman, Alford racked up 63 tackles and also ran an 11.67-second 100-meter dash in track.
Tank Booker commits to Arkansas
If Ohio State is going to add to its interior defensive line depth for next season, it will have to look to the second transfer portal window beginning Saturday. The Buckeyes' lone remaining transfer target available on the market, Tank Booker, committed to Arkansas on Wednesday evening.
New Chapter! #WPS @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/ood1GKxVSV
— Tank Booker (@arbj14_) April 12, 2023
Booker, a Winton Woods graduate and former Maryland defensive tackle, picked the Razorbacks over Ohio State, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Purdue. He completed his redshirt junior year at Maryland last season with 25 total tackles (4 for loss) with a pass deflection, two forced fumbles and two sacks. He announced his departure from Maryland on March 6.
