Welcome to The Hurry-Up, which runs Sunday through Thursday, serving as your last stop for recruiting news and notes nightly. We'll recap the day as it happened and preview the days ahead while keeping our ear to the ground on the Ohio State recruiting scene.
HAUSMANN SEES NOTRE DAME
Ohio State's primary tight end target for 2016, Cincinnati Moeller's Jake Hausmann, visited Notre Dame last weekend. The Irish hosted rival Michigan, as you know, and, as you know, destroyed the Wolverines in front of Hausmann and dozens of other big-time recruits. Ohio State offered Hausmann in April and immediately vaulted themselves into the role of "favorite" for his commitment.
Over the months, Hausmann has insisted that despite a familiar affinity for the Buckeyes, he was not a "lock" for Ohio State. The second-ranked tight end in the country for 2016, Hausmann insisted he'd make visits to ensure he was making the best college choice for him. To many, that appeared to be lip-service, but after a visit to Notre Dame last week, it appears to be much more than that. One of the recruiting industry's best, 247Sports.com's Steve Wiltfong, predicted officially that the Irish would land Hausmann, stealing him from the Buckeyes. That prediction, based on the impression made by Notre Dame last weekend, and the knowledge that he'll be back at Notre Dame when they host Stanford, has many people worried. Are the Buckeyes losing their grip on Hausmann?
"I think it's just because the visit went well," Hausmann said. "People are going to say what they want. (The visit) was pretty awesome, though. They really rolled out the red carpet. It was a lot about family, and how important it is to be a part of one team, that kind of thing."
Hausmann is scheduled to be at Ohio State on September 27th when the Buckeyes host Cincinnati, and suddenly that "easy win" for one of the nation's top players has become a challenge.
ALEXANDER DOWN TO TWO, BUCKEYES LOOKING AT SWEET 16?
Ohio State could be staring down the pike at commitment number 16 in their 2015 recruiting class when Lake Braddock, Virginia's A.J. Alexander makes his choice Friday night. Although he's graded and ranked as a wide receiver, Alexander would be a natural fit as an H-back in Ohio State's offense, similar to the role Noah Brown is currently working in for the Buckeyes.
Down to the Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers, Alexander's versatility makes him appealing to Ohio State. I've made my prediction on Alexander tonight and I believe he chooses the Buckeyes on Friday.
ANOTHER CAGER LEAVES THE NEST
Earlier today, Ohio State's quest for another of the state's top 2015 basketball prospects, Esa Ahmad, made his commitment to Not Ohio State. Ahmad joins fellow Ohioan Carlton Bragg in the 2015 class and 2016 standout Matthew Moyer in a recent — and disturbing trend — of Buckeye in-state targets eschewing Ohio State for basketball glory elsewhere. The question with Ahmad is who cancelled his visit for this weekend, whether it was Ohio State or the 6-foot-7 Shaker Heights star. Either way, he ain't coming to Ohio State, and it's time to move on.
Where do the Buckeyes turn now to round out their 2015 recruiting class? Don't be surprised if Mickey Mitchell, who decommitted from the Buckeyes a month ago, remains a viable target. Ohio State hosted Mitchell last weekend and his relationship with fellow Texas Austin Grandstaff can't be ignored. There's also a possibility that the Buckeyes hold off on adding any other players for 2015, knowing they'd have room for more in 2016. They were in Cleveland the other day to watch Lakewood St. Ed's Derek Funderburk and others. The addition of Virginia Tech transfer Trevor Thompson, who will be eligible to play for the Buckeyes in 2015, gives Ohio State a bit of flexibility when it comes to their pursuits.
MCKEE STILL HOPING FOR BUCKEYE OFFER
Anthony McKee, Jr. is a name Ohio State recruiting fans heard quite a bit of in the last year, but over the previous few months he's kind of fallen off the radar. McKee transferred from Walnut Ridge to Marion-Franklin in Columbus and he's moved to a hybrid safety/linebacker position for his senior season, a season of transition. Has he given up on the dream of receiving a Buckeye offer? Not yet, but he's making plans as if it won't happen.
"I'm going to be something to watch, no matter where I end up," McKee said confidently. "I'd love to play at home for the Buckeyes, but a move is good sometimes."
The 20th-ranked outside linebacker in the nation, McKee will make an official visit to Oklahoma this weekend. The Sooners are one of the 20-plus offers he holds, and he's looking forward to the visit. He did say he continues to be in contact with the Buckeyes. What is Ohio State's message about a potential offer?
"I talk to Coach Ash a lot," he said. "The message from them is the same as it's been for a while. They wanted to see tape of my first few games of the season."
McKee will visit Michigan State on November 8th as the Buckeyes travel to East Lansing, but he doesn't know if that's the only time he'll see Ohio State this fall or not.
"I don't know if I'll make a visit or not," he added. "That depends on what they decide to do."
BOWEN KEEPING PROPER PERSPECTIVE
One prospect who had wanted to be on-hand this past weekend in Columbus was 6-foot-7, 330 pound offensive lineman Branden Bowen from Draper, Utah. Though he was unable to get to Ohio last week, Bowen said he has plans to speak with Ohio State's Ed Warinner again tonight to determine if an official visit is in the cards for him. He hopes it is.
"Ohio State has said they want me to come out there for a night game," Bowen told 11W. "So I'm looking at maybe the Illinois game. I think they're still trying to evaluate me as well, so an official visit isn't guaranteed."
Ohio State's "biggest" upcoming night game in September 27th against Cincinnati, and although Bowen says that game was brought up by the Buckeyes, he might want to wait a bit longer.
"They offered me a chance to come to either game," he added. "But, I want to give them more time to realize the kind of player I am. I am headed to Washington State on October 4th, that's all I know for sure."
MACK IN, ROBERTSON NOT YET SURE
As mentioned last night, there was a possibility that Indiana stars Austin Mack and Auston Robertson, the Hoosier state's top two players in 2016, would be at Ohio State this weekend. Mack, one of Ohio State's high-priority wide receiver targets, confirmed tonight that he in fact would be in Columbus this weekend and next. Robertson is still up in the air for the contest against Kent State.
"I am going to be there," Mack confirmed. "I'm not sure about Auston."
Robertson told Eleven Warriors that family plans might keep him from making the trip.
"My family and I had some plans this Saturday," he said. "I might go, but I am not sure yet."
