WATCH: 5-star CB Na’eem Offord throws Auburn hat to the ground to flip his commitment to Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks

Five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord announced his commitment to the Oregon Ducks on Wednesday. When he held the Tigers’ cap during his live broadcast on Wednesday, many might have thought he was committing to Auburn. Instead, he threw the cap down and revealed his commitment to the Ducks.

Offord was expected to be one of Ohio State's prized commits in the 2025 cycle. But despite his commitment to the Buckeyes since February, a hot race for his signature continued until yesterday. The Auburn Tigers were among the strongest contenders for the teenager's pledge.

A glance at Na’eem Offord’s recruiting profile

Na’eem Offord, 6-ft-1 and 181 pounds, is the consensus top prospect out of Alabama in the 2025 class. He's a product of Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

The five-star cornerback is No. 2 nationally in his position per On3 and 247Sports, making him highly sought-after by programs.

However, Ohio State beat the other programs to get Offord’s pledge in February. The Buckeyes cornerbacks coach Tim Walton laid the groundwork. And by the end of his second visit to Columbus, he was a Buckeyes commit.

Meanwhile, a surge of interest from Auburn and Oregon saw him visit the two programs during the college football season. With Alabama's top prospect now out of the picture, the Buckeyes can take consolation in the fact that they still have the nation's top cornerback.

The Oregon Ducks, on the other hand, have on their hands a player self-described as “smart, physical, and coachable.” A 2023 MaxPreps Preseason Junior All-America selection, Offord consistently proved to be his team's best player on the field.

The best testimony to this came from his high school coach Frank Warren who admits he's the team's best player.

He said:

“You know some people try to outsmart people sometimes. But I say get the ball in the best player’s hands and have them make the play.”

This fits the kind of profile Dan Lanning needs to maintain the Ducks’ dominance in college football over the next few years. No. 1 Oregon will be making its second attempt at the national championship title when the college football playoffs kick off later this month.

While Ryan Day has been able to build a Buckeyes program that is consistently competitive, his team lacks of a decisive cutting edge. This may have been a factor for an ambitious prospect like Na’eem Offord.