Tony Alford’s roots help Ohio State’s standing with 2026 Florida RB: Buckeyes Recruiting Roundup

Published Jun. 16, 2023, 3:37 p.m. By Robert Fenbers, special to cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – Javian Mallory’s first visit to Ohio State was special. Not just because he received a coveted offer after his camp performance, but because he got to see a family friend. Coincidentally, the two go hand in hand. Ohio State running back coach Tony Alford coached Mallory’s uncle Richard Alexis back in 1991 during a stint at Washington. He may have been one and done with the Huskies, but that relationship has carried over and evolved into a family friendship. In fact, Mallory says his relationship with Alford is the strongest of the bunch, not only because of his previous connection but also his clear interest in the rising back, including a pair of visits to his school last month. “Coach Alford,” Mallory said. “Just because he coached my uncle and he came out to the school and it wasn’t just for 10 or 15 minutes. It was for hours and we are just building that relationship. And when I saw him again yesterday, I just feel like our relationship has gotten closer.” After camping at OSU, Alford and head coach Ryan Day pulled both Javian and his cousin (and teammate) Mason Mallory into Day’s office. They let his cousin know they would be keeping an eye out for him in the upcoming season. But then the moment came for Javian. “You, we are going to offer you,” Day said. “It was just that feeling when he said that, I just lit up,” Mallory said. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back out of West Boca Raton High School in Florida currently holds 20 offers as his recruitment hits another gear. As a freshman, he tallied 91 carries for 499 yards and six touchdowns. Mallory also hauled in nine receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns while making 14 tackles in a defensive role. Those stats earned him MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors. He also doubles as a track athlete and was a district qualifier in his freshman season. As an incoming sophomore, Mallory does not have a 247Sports rating at this time. Having recently picked up an offer from Georgia, Mallory added the interest of another national title contender. While the offers may be piled up to his bedroom ceiling when it’s all said and done, he is thankful and grateful for every opportunity that comes his way. “It means everything knowing I have one of the top programs in the country looking at me, recruiting me and wanting me to go to their college,” Mallory said. He enjoyed his quick preview of Ohio State. The tradition strewn across the halls and the brotherhood culture stood out to him, but there was also one thing the Buckeyes did that stood out. Something no other school had put together. “Ohio State, on the visit, they had a little presentation, and it was basically explaining life after football,” Mallory said. “Ohio State is really big on that. And no other school that I have visited actually ever had a presentation waiting for me. Football is going to end whether I am ready for it or not, and Ohio State is going to prepare me for that.” That little extra effort may go a long way in this recruitment. As a 4.0 student, Mallory takes his education very seriously and is leaning toward a path of becoming a neurosurgeon as he is slated to begin West Boca’s medical academy next year. But for Ohio State, it all starts with that extra touch in showing that he is not just another number. “I was amazed,” Mallory said of the small presentation. “It caught me by surprise I wasn’t even expecting that.” Ohio State has clearly made an impact with the Florida prospect. It’s just getting started, but they are building the foundation. “Definitely top three,” Mallory told cleveland.com when asked where the Buckeyes stand. Mallory views himself as a three-down back with potential to play safety, but he prefers running back, and that’s exactly how Ohio State is recruiting him. All of his 20 offers are recruiting him in the backfield. Hometown programs like Florida, Miami and Florida State have been active in his recruitment. Mallory’s family went to FSU. The Buckeyes have clearly targeted the state and recruits are taking notice. Ohio State has extended a whopping 364 offers in the past 10 years to Florida prospects. Twenty-eight committed. The last time Florida didn’t receive the most (or tied for the most) offers from Ohio State was 2012 when homegrown talent in Ohio took the top spot. But since then, it’s been clear breeding ground for special and different athletes. “I just feel like the state of Florida has the best football players in the country down here,” Mallory said. “We all want to be the number one athlete, and Ohio State has done a great job down here recruiting. We’re bred different down here.” This is all a new experience for the young back. Through youth football, he was always the second option, now he is quickly emerging as a top guy. “I like being able to make my parents proud,” Mallory said. “Growing up, I wouldn’t say I was doubted, but a lot of people didn’t expect this coming out of me. I knew I had to work to be the best for myself and it’s all paying off.” Of course, with that title comes leadership and immense responsibility. Mallory knows the grind is just beginning. With programs like Ohio State, Georgia and Miami recruiting him, being a great athlete isn’t good enough anymore. “I have to get faster,” Mallory said. “That’s one thing I know. I have to get faster and be in better condition. Being able to go on 15-play drives is very tiring. Just being more conditioned and getting faster. Getting quicker and all those things.” Ohio State extended the offer exactly one month ago to the 6-4, 225-pounder out of Washington High School in Oklahoma. The four-star is the No. 5 TE and the nation’s No. 121 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Roberts racked up 705 yards (324 YAC) and 11 touchdowns on 33 receptions in his sophomore campaign. The multi-sport athlete is a three-time state champion (twice in baseball and once in football). The rising star has garnered 18 of his 28 offers since Jan. 1. as the process has accelerated quickly. Roberts recently unveiled a top 12 of Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, Baylor, Clemson, Miami, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Auburn and Wisconsin. The decision to commit to a school at this stage comes as a bit of a surprise as he had previously expressed excitement in checking out programs over the summer and taking the process slowly. The top-ranked offensive tackle in the nation has narrowed his list, and Ohio State football has made the cut. Five-star Mater Dei OT Brandon Baker announced a top 10 on Thursday via Twitter, putting the Buckeyes with Georgia, Washington, Michigan, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami, Texas, Oregon and Nebraska. In his second trip to Columbus, Baker took an official visit to the Buckeyes last weekend and there have been rumblings about Ohio State possibly taking the lead over Oregon in his recruitment. To be clear, landing the 6-5, 285-pound Baker would be a monumental catch for second-year OL coach Justin Frye, who whiffed on a few high-profile targets last year. Frye, who does have ties out in California, has assembled quite a haul in 2024 already with Ian Moore, Marc Nave and Deontae and Devontae Armstrong. But Baker is the crème de la crème. The Armstrong twins have made it their mission to be the lead recruiters in this class, spreading the message of a brotherhood and family across social media. Baker has taken notice. “The Brotherhood is real,” Baker told On3′s Hayes Fawcett. “A1 place to be developed, & they have a solid OL Class for ‘24.” The last No. 1 offensive tackle to commit to the Buckeyes was Paris Johnson Jr, who went No. 6 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.