The Ohio State Buckeyes have turned the page to the 2028 recruiting class for the most part with the majority of their work in 2027 complete, and they already hold the No. 1 ranked class in the country according to 247Sports team rankings. 

The Buckeyes have a great chance to build something special, with a realistic shot at finishing as the top class or at least in the top 3 nationally. 

One of the key targets on the board is 4-star St. John Bosco safety Brandon Nash out of California, but there’s anither Big Ten team that could complicate things.

Ohio State being challenged in chase of Brandon Nash by west coast Big Ten program

Ohio State offered Nash in June of 2025, and the 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety has kept constant connection with the Buckeyes’ coaching staff while also making the trip to Columbus. The program clearly likes what it sees in the No. 14 safety and No. 195 overall player in the country per the 247Sports Composite.

The Buckeyes only took two safeties in the 2027 class, and neither were premier-level recruits. Eli Johnson is a 4-star, and Angelo Smith, the brother of former Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith, is a 3-star. Ohio State is swinging big in the 2028 cycle at 5-star safety Casey Barner, who remains the program’s top target at the position. The Buckeyes are also recruiting Gaige Weddle, the son of former NFL safety Eric Weddle, who is another California recruit.

Ohio State wants to take multiple safeties in the 2028 class. However, if the Buckeyes land a couple of those targets, it could knock them out of the running for Nash, a player the staff does really like. That’s a decision Ohio State may have to weigh carefully as the cycle progresses.

Nash will attend the UCLA-California game next weekend. That visit is significant because the Bruins and Bears both are recruiting Nash hard, and there’s belief that if he stays home in California, UCLA is the team to beat.

“If the Buckeyes load up with other safeties, the safest bets for Nash would be at Cal or UCLA,” On3’s Adam Gorney wrote recently. “The Golden Bears only have one safety pledge in 2027 and while UCLA has three, Nash has worked out there, loves the coaching staff and knows the committed players as well.”

UCLA, one of the newer members of the Big Ten, has seen an uptick in spending over the last year as the program tries to become more competitive on the football field. The Bruins present a real threat to pull Nash away from Ohio State, especially if the Buckeyes fill their safety spots before getting to him.

Ohio State is still seen as the leader for Nash right now, but UCLA’s push could pay off depending on what the Buckeyes do. This is one the Buckeyes will have to monitor closely as the 2028 class takes shape.