Five-star offensive tackle prospect *Jordan Matthews has decided to leave the Crimson Tide for a dominant Big Ten program, dealing a serious blow to the University of Alabama football program’s future offensive line depth.
The University of Alabama’s football program is facing a significant blow to its future offensive line depth, as five-star offensive tackle recruit *Jordan Matthews* is projected to decommit from the Crimson Tide in favor of a powerhouse Big Ten program. Matthews, a 6’6″, 310-pound behemoth out of *Georgia*, is widely regarded as one of the top offensive line prospects in the country and a cornerstone for any program looking to dominate up front.
Matthews has been a long-time commit to Alabama, having pledged his future to the program back in his sophomore year of high school. However, recent reports and insider information suggest that Alabama is now in danger of losing his services to a Big Ten rival that has been hot on his trail for several months. The program in question is none other than the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have emerged as the frontrunner to land Matthews after a series of high-profile visits and continued efforts by their coaching staff to make him a priority in their recruiting class.
While Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban has long been a recruiting juggernaut and a master at securing elite talent, Ohio State has made a compelling case to Matthews, both on the field and off. The Buckeyes have continued their dominance in the trenches, consistently producing first-round NFL draft picks from their offensive line, and they’ve been aggressive in courting Matthews. A successful recruiting visit to Columbus earlier this fall seemed to tilt the scales in Ohio State’s favor.
Matthews has expressed admiration for Ohio State’s rich tradition of developing offensive linemen, and the school’s high-profile offensive scheme, led by head coach Ryan Day, has proven attractive to top-tier recruits. The Buckeyes’ ability to showcase their elite offensive line coaching staff, particularly with legendary assistant coach Greg Studrawa, could give them the edge. Additionally, Matthews has spoken highly of Ohio State’s commitment to preparing its athletes for the NFL, which could be a key motivator for him as he considers his future.
Alabama’s offensive line development under Saban has been one of the program’s standout features for years, but with new faces emerging on the coaching staff and some shifts in the recruiting pitch, Matthews has begun to question his initial commitment. While Saban and his staff have done their best to maintain communication and reassure the recruit of his importance to their future plans, Matthews’ recent visits to Ohio State have only strengthened the idea that he may be leaning towards a Big Ten move.
Losing Matthews would be a substantial blow to Alabama’s recruiting class, particularly on the offensive line, where the Crimson Tide have long prided themselves on building a wall of protection for their quarterbacks and establishing a dominant ground game. Alabama’s recruiting class still boasts several blue-chip prospects, but Matthews’ potential to step in and immediately impact the field was seen as a key piece for the program’s future success.
For Ohio State, landing Matthews would be a huge win, adding one of the best offensive line prospects in recent memory to an already talented recruiting haul. It would also give the Buckeyes another significant recruiting victory in their ongoing battle with rivals like Michigan and Penn State, further cementing their status as one of the premier programs in the country.
As the recruitment process continues to unfold, the focus will shift to whether Alabama can convince Matthews to stick with his initial commitment or whether Ohio State’s late surge will prove too strong. Either way, it’s clear that Matthews’ decision will have significant implications on both programs’ futures.
Be the first to comment