In a recruiting surprise sending shockwaves through Columbus, four-star cornerback Danny Odem—ranked among the top 25 CBs in the 2026 class—has flipped his commitment to Nebraska, turning down the Buckeyes in favor of the Cornhuskers and head coach Matt Rhule .
Odem, a 6′1″ standout from The First Academy in Florida, had narrowed his final list to Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Clemson. Just days before the June commitment deadline, Nebraska swooped in with a powerful late pitch—one that proved irresistible. On Monday, Odem officially pledged to Lincoln, leaving Ohio State stunned .
For Buckeye fans, the loss stings. Odem would have added valuable depth to a cornerback rotation featuring Jordan Thomas and Jakob Weatherspoon, and his departure comes amid growing competition from other Big Ten schools seeking to manufacture Big 10-sized recruiting wins.
Meanwhile, Nebraska’s coup is a major statement for Matt Rhule’s revitalizing program. Beating Ohio State at their own game—especially for a top-tier defensive back—signals growing momentum in Lincoln, with Odem becoming a marquee piece of the Cornhuskers’ defensive rebuild.
Ohio State’s response? Don’t panic. Buckeye staff are already pivoting to alternate targets and leveraging their elite development pipeline. With requests for official visits still underway and NIL support ramping up, they expect to quickly reload at cornerback .
Still, this is a clear win for the Big Ten newcomer. Nebraska’s ability to claim one of Ohio State’s prized recruits reinforces that the Huskers aren’t just contenders—they’re building a brand that can out-recruit big programs when it matters.
While OSU’s 2026 class remains loaded, this surprising flip should serve as a wake-up call: in today’s NIL-driven era, no recruit is safe—and every visit matters.
