Anthony Blalock Jr., an in-state lineman target, commits to Alabama over Ohio State in the 2028 class

Anthony Blalock Jr., a heavily pursued 2028 offensive line prospect for Ohio State, has committed to Alabama, choosing a rival program after the Buckeyes worked the in-state recruitment. The decision reshapes Ohio State’s recruiting priorities in a class where the program had targeted Blalock as one of its most important defensive line or offensive line wins, according to the reporting.

Blalock’s commitment adds another high-leverage piece to Alabama’s ongoing effort to reload its front, a position group the Crimson Tide treats as a foundation for its run of recruiting and player development. For Ohio State, the loss is notable because the Buckeyes have repeatedly emphasized landing top prospects from Ohio and nearby areas to keep the roster stocked with experienced, game-ready talent.

The reported backdrop is a direct Ohio State-Alabama recruiting contest. The Buckeyes pushed for Blalock as one of their “priority” targets in the 2028 class, while Alabama gained the commitment, underscoring how quickly the recruiting landscape can swing even for schools with strong geographic pipelines.

While the choice means Alabama will be the landing spot for Blalock Jr. going forward, the broader impact depends on how Ohio State responds with alternate options. Losing a priority offensive line target often forces staff attention toward the next tier of players, including prospects at similar positions, comparable recruiting profiles, and players with timelines that match the Buckeyes’ planned class-building approach.

For Alabama, Blalock’s commitment provides early clarity in a cycle that can be crowded with competition for the same top linemen. The Tide’s next steps are likely to include protecting the board at the offensive line positions and continuing to pursue additional high-end talent around the committed core.

Ohio State’s fans will also watch how the program’s in-state recruiting strategy evolves after this outcome. The Buckeyes have frequently treated the 2028 cycle as an opportunity to secure a class strong enough to compete at the top of the Big Ten and contend for national positioning, and that plan typically relies on winning at least a few marquee recruiting matchups.

At the moment, public information is limited to the commitment report itself, without additional detail here on factors such as official visits, timeline, or player development plans. Further coverage from recruiting analysts and official school updates will likely fill in those specifics as the 2028 class moves from commitments to signing.

Key schedule picture changes will depend on how both programs fill remaining roster needs in the 2028 class. For now, the immediate story is straightforward: Ohio State’s priority target Anthony Blalock Jr. will be an Alabama Crimson Tide instead of a Buckeye.