Ohio State has missed on its top remaining target for the 2026 class.
Despite having tons of momentum with five-star safety Bralan Womack for the majority of the summer, the Buckeyes couldn't close the deal down the stretch, as the No. 1 safety in America committed to Auburn on Thursday.
Womack chose the Tigers over OSU, Florida and Texas A&M. While monetary factors were certainly prevalent in the Mississippi native's decision, other factors mattered in this recruitment, too. Womack's sister plays softball at Auburn, and he'll very likely start for the Tigers in his freshman season (even if Hugh Freeze is eventually fired this fall), whereas a starting role at OSU would not have been guaranteed.