Will Auburn flip the state’s top recruit on Signing Day?
Parker defensive back Na’eem Offord has been committed to Ohio State for nearly a year.
But will Alabama’s top senior prospect sign with the Buckeyes next week?
Recruiting experts are beginning to log strong predictions for Auburn to flip the standout before National Signing Day on Dec. 4.
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Parker coach Frank Warren said the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Offord will announce his decision at 10:30 a.m. on Signing Day. Both Warren and Offord have said he will decide between Ohio State, Auburn and Oregon.
“They all have been on him the whole time,” Warren said Monday. “It’s going to be a tough decision for him. I’ve been trying to tell him it’s a big decision, but he has to make it soon.”
Offord attended Auburn’s dramatic 43-41 overtime win over No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. On3’s recruiting prediction machine currently has Auburn with a 74.3 percent chance to land him. The expert averages on 247 Sports have the Tigers with an 80 percent chance to sign Offord.
“He’s a three-year starter for us,” Warren said. “He’s a great young man, first of all. He is also a great football player. He’s a humble kid to be around. He’s like a superstar around here. All the kids love him, but he stays humble about it. He’s a kid you want to coach.
“I think he’s one of the best athletes I have coached in my career. He does things right on the field and off the field.”
Auburn already has commitments from eight of the top 10-ranked players, according to the 247 rankings. Offord and Enterprise DE Zion Grady are both currently committed to Ohio State.
Offord, a five-star prospect, is ranked No. 12 nationally overall and No. 2 at his position. He and his Parker teammates will be on the field Friday night for the Class 6A semifinals against Oxford.
He leads the team with 14 touchdowns – 13 rushing.
“A lot of people might have bigger numbers, but I think he should be in the running for Mr. Football,” Warren said. “He’s a great player on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he takes away the other team’s best threat. Offensively, every time he touches the ball there’s a chance he might score. He reminds me of Travis Hunter (Colorado cornerback/wide receiver and Heisman favorite). He might not have the gaudy numbers, but if he played just on offense, he’d have tremendous numbers.”