Tyler Bowen could've chosen to attend any game he wanted on Friday night, as the Buckeyes had the weekend off.
Ohio State's offensive line coach chose to be in Mentor, Ohio, to get an up-close look at three-star 2026 offensive tackle Landry Brede. That alone meant a lot to Brede.
"It's huge," he said. "I mean, he's really just showing interest, and I love Coach Bowen. He's a great guy, and I'm glad he was able to come out."
While this is Bowen's first season at OSU, he has already made a big impression for the Buckeyes, both on and off the field, a trait that Brede has already realized.
"He's a pretty new coach, but he's really just a genuine guy. He cares about the people around him, and I think that's big for me, no matter the school or anything," Brede said of the Ohio State assistant. "The people, that's a big thing for me."
Although he has been committed to NC State since June, the Buckeyes have made Brede a high priority since offering the in-state product two weeks ago during his visit for Ohio State's game against Ohio, Brede's third time on campus.
"I grew up watching them, so it was a big, big offer for me," he said of the offer from the Buckeyes. "I didn't want to get too starstruck by the name of the offer but it's obviously a big thing – national championship.
"So, yeah, it's a big thing growing up in Ohio, obviously, the culture behind it," he continued. "But, you know, I just got to not think of the name and think of what's best actually there, so that's really what's been going through my head."
In the current landscape of college sports, Brede mentioned that while NIL is important, just like it is for most recruits, his decision will come down to the people and relationships he has built (and can build) along with the school that gives him the best opportunity to develop his game.
"It's mostly relationships to me, but (NIL) is something I have to consider," Brede said. "We'll see where that takes me, but it's relationship-based and development-based mostly."
In a game that quickly became a blowout in Mentor's favor last Friday night, as the Cardinals led Medina 35-0 in the first quarter and were up 49-0 when Mentor pulled its starters with a few minutes left in the first half, Brede was still able to showcase his ability as a dominant blocker.
Landry Brede finishes the block on a long touchdown run by Mentor. pic.twitter.com/MjQgyNCfZj
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 20, 2025
The overpowering continued for Landry Brede. pic.twitter.com/xhfAKNLdG3
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 20, 2025
He even showed off his quickness with his feet on a pull block.
The movement. pic.twitter.com/GLDLtkcSAh
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 20, 2025
In fact, Brede believes that's the best part of his game right now.
"I think I'm pretty strong in my pull game," he said. "I think my pass pro improved a lot this year, and that's been something I've been working on, and continue to work on. So, yeah, I've just been trying to round myself out as a player and do the best I can."
While he made it a routine of blocking opposing linemen and even laying some pancake blocks, much like he has all season, the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder's favorite play of the night was when Mentor ran some trickery, throwing the ball to the left tackle on a screen.
With Bowen standing on the Cardinals' sideline, Mentor head coach Matt Gray made sure to get Bowen's attention with a "watch this" right before the trick play to the OSU target.
Some trickery from Mentor as Landry Brede catches a screen pass and runs for a first down.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 19, 2025
Right before the play, Mentor head coach Matt Gray made sure to get Ohio State offensive line coach Tyler Bowens attention to ensure he was watching the play. pic.twitter.com/KtLyHwojUy
"Wish I could've scored there, but it was fun to get a catch," Brede said after the game. "That would be called Moon. First time ever running it, but yeah, that's Moon right there."
With a visit to NC State looming this upcoming weekend, Brede is weighing his options. Although he’s a lifelong Buckeye fan, he wants to make sure he does what’s best for him both on and off the field.
"Ohio State, they obviously have a lot of great things, so it's going to be a hard thing to compare here," he said. "But the people there, it's a big thing, and just the development, so I'll see where we can take it and do my best."
In terms of the Buckeyes, Bowen and company have already told Brede that they see him as a versatile player who can play multiple positions across the offensive line due to his size and athleticism.
"They've said I'd be like a swing guy, so wherever," he said of his conversations with OSU coaches. "That's what makes me, they said, that makes me valuable, just being able to play all those positions. So wherever they think fits and wherever I succeed at in the next level."
Whether he decides to flip to Ohio State, stick with his commitment to NC State, or commit somewhere else, Brede will early enroll at whichever school he chooses.
"Yeah, I'll be early enrolling. I'm taking my classes now to get that done," he said.
He said he doesn’t have a timeline in mind for a final decision yet, but Ohio State and N.C. State are the two main schools he’s considering and he’s maintaining consistent communication with both teams’ coaches.
“I'll just talk with them. They said that they aren't rushing me, but, I mean, once I know, I think I’ll know. And I'm just gathering information now,” Brede said. “I sat down with Bowen before the game, got information there, and I'm just comparing ... this whole process has just been what's best for me. And the people around me, they like Ohio State, but they don't know the ins and outs of it. So I listen to them, but it's really about what I think.”
