Why Nigel Glover chose Ohio State football’s delayed scholarship over Michigan and Kentucky

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Soon after committing to his new Ohio State football program, Nigel Glover returned to the field that led him there.
He and top 2025 cornerback prospect Dorian Brew met up at Clayton Northmont High School’s field Tuesday night. They worked on pursuit drills, pass coverage and flipping their hips to change directions.
Earlier in the evening, the uncertainty ended for the linebacker who, briefly, was the top signee in Northwestern’s 2023 class. When coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired amid investigations into hazing and other issues, Glover became the first Wildcat to take advantage of the resulting 30-day transfer portal window.
He went in with modest expectations, assuming most teams’ 85-man scholarship allotments were full. He was surprised to learn that was not true — although OSU is at that NCAA-mandated limit. So Glover took a grayshirt opportunity, which means waiting until the second semester for a scholarship, to become a Buckeye.
Preseason camp opens Thursday. Glover said he expects to report as soon as his paperwork clears OSU’s compliance office.
“It was the development and the expectations,” said Glover, who also visited Kentucky and Michigan. “Playing for coach (Jim) Knowles, coach (James) Laurinaitis, coach Sam (McGrath), I know they are the best at what they do and they can maximize my potential.”
Glover spent about a month in Evanston. A lot of that time was spent in conditioning and weight lifting, with some beginning work on defensive schemes.
In addition to switching programs, he will also slightly switch his positional focus. A hybrid safety/linebacker in high school, Glover was expected to play outside linebacker for Northwestern. That position does not exist in OSU’s current base defense, so he will instead transition inside to weakside linebacker, or will.
That is the position Steele Chambers currently plays, and which was occupied by Pete Werner and Malik Harrison before him.
“I have an athletic background playing safety in high school and feel like I have a good range of motion,” said the 6-3 Glover, who said his weight is up to 220 pounds. “The will backer is almost like a DB with run fits.”
Glover built a relationship with Knowles during the recruiting process. Ohio State never offered a scholarship, which Glover called a “numbers standpoint.” Even though those numbers remain crowded, he decided to take the plunge on his second chance.
Glover said the ability for players to earn name, image and likeness income could help offset whatever costs he incurs during this first semester. That will allow him to focus on the football goals still ahead.
“I want to understand everything in the game,” Glover said. “I want to work on my block destruction, my run fits and grow overall in the total package as a player.”
Which is why he was back on Northmont’s field Tuesday night, stepping back into the past to solidify his future.