Versatility of Simeon Caldwell a Big Key for the Ohio State Recruiting Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Ohio State landed one of the more versatile prospects in the 2026 recruiting class when it picked up the commitment of Jacksonville (FL) Bolles School product Simeon Caldwell this off-season.

Caldwell, who has starred at both safety and linebacker at various points and who brings physicality, smarts, and cover skills to the table, is looking forward to bringing those tools with him to Columbus.

“What made me commit was the culture there,” Caldwell told BuckeyeHuddle.com on Southern Swing. “The coaches and just the environment that they have. I’ve been up there a few times and I love it every time that I’m up there. So on top of the environment, them putting up those types of performances on the biggest stage was huge.”

Caldwell of course was referring to Ohio State’s dominant playoff run to the National Championship.

“It was special,” Caldwell said. “Especially with it being the first 12-team playoff. It was special seeing them go through that and just go through the gauntlet that they did. In my eyes, the best playoff run in history.”

The variety of things that Caldwell can do on a football field will give the Buckeyes several options once he arrives in Columbus.

“As of right now, starting off when I get to campus, probably safety,” he explained. “I know that I’ve talked to the coaches about that and for my first time stepping on campus, that’s where they see me. But they do see me possibly playing linebacker in the future if my body grows while I’m up there. They have plan for me if I stay at safety size, if I grow to linebacker size, or even if I show up on campus at linebacker size. They have a plan for everything.”

“They are a very versatile defense,” he continued. “They use their players in many different ways, so they have a spot for me no matter what.”

Seeing that the Buckeyes have already had success in moving a player like Sonny Styles down from safety gives Caldwell an added boost of confidence if that’s the direction that his body ultimately takes him.

“Seeing someone go through what I could possibly go through, it’s definitely reassuring,” he said. “It’s not untreaded water. Someone has done it before and especially at the same school with a lot of the same coaches.”

Get more insight from Caldwell on his excitement about being a Buckeye, his off-season work, and more from our Southern Swing interview.