Good afternoon friends. I do hope your Friday has arrived sans dramatics and that whatever you've got planned for your weekend is interesting or whatever.
This week, Ohio State's football (and basketball) coaches were back on the recruiting trail, beginning their spring evaluation period of 2015 prospects. On Thursday, specifically, the Buckeyes had coaches all over Georgia and Tennessee among other places. Today's recruiting updates will touch on a few of those visits as well a few other potentially interesting tidbits.
HERMAN SEES NUNEZ, DECISION COMING SOON
Tom Herman, Ohio State quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, made a number of stops today in Georgia (more on that coming) including Harrison High School in Kennesaw to check on 2015 quarterback Lorenzo Nunez. Despite all the discussion about Brandon Wimbush and Torrance Gibson, it was Nunez who earned his offer first last summer during a camp at Ohio State. He returned to Columbus in late October and since then has been all over the country investigating the programs he's interested in.
This weekend, he'll visit North Carolina State, who — despite their "lower" program status compared to the others he's considering — remain a viable option for him. Nunez is paying close attention to depth charts and offensive styles and because of that, I think he's likely leaning towards South Carolina (where he visited last weekend) or NC State. He'll make a decision within the next week, according to those close to him.
JENKINS MAKING A VISIT TO OHIO STATE? MAYBE.
Pittsburgh (Pa.) offensive lineman Sterling Jenkins is down to two schools, Ohio State and Penn State, but everyone knows that. He visited Ohio State on April 11th, and went back to Penn State for what seemed to be the 40th time on April 12th for their Blue and White game. Up to this point, Jenkins has not committed to Penn State and this weekend he'll be returning to Columbus, but there's a slight caveat to this visit.
He's heading to Dublin Coffman High School for the Rivals.com camp series, and likely won't be on campus at Ohio State, although he says he hopes to get over to do another impromptu campus visit if he can. Penn State has to be considered the leader here, but Ohio State continues to pop up and he's trying very hard to make an informed decision.
NEW OFFER TO TEXAS DB KAhLIL HAUGHTON
Ohio State's new defensive coordinator Chris Ash was in Texas yesterday and extended a scholarship offer to Midland safety Khalil Haughton. A three-star safety, Haughton has offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Baylor, Michigan, Duke and close to a dozen more. He shared his thoughts on Ohio State with Eleven Warriors following Ash's visit.
"I had talked to (Chris Ash) a while back and he said he really liked how I played," Haughton said. "(When he offered) he talked a lot more about the program and how he wants me to get up there soon to experience the whole thing. (I'm interested) mainly because of their tradition, how they win and their fan base."
The visit is something Haughton wants to arrange, and he's been no stranger to traveling lately.
"(I've visited) Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas, Duke and Texas Tech," he said of recent visits. "I'm looking at just the vibe of each place, the authenticity of the coaching staffs, and academics. Playing time is a big thing too."
QUICK SLANTS
Lagrange TE C.J. Conrad will not camp at Ohio State as I discussed on Twitter a few days ago, although he still plans on checking in at Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State this summer.
He's had a busy week with coaches stopping in to see him: Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Duke, Illinois and Pittsburgh all checked into Keystone High School.
Why won't he camp at Ohio State? Simply put, I believe Conrad did not appreciate Ohio State offering Miles Boykin from New Lenox, Illinois, last week. Can the relationship be saved? Probably, but the Buckeyes will need to make it right soon. I don't see Conrad as the type to change his mind if he's committed elsewhere.
Nice story on Buckeyes' wide receiver target Christian Kirk. I believe Ohio State is in a much better position with Kirk than most do, although I'm not ready to call it for the Scarlet and Gray just yet.
Zach Smith was in Brentwood, Tennessee' Ravenwood High School yesterday to see Van Jefferson. Jefferson has narrowed his list to Tennessee and Ohio State according to some, but I hear Clemson and Penn State have remained in the picture. As of now, I see no way that Jefferson doesn't end up in Columbus, but a planned return trip could help seal the deal. That could happen within the next two weeks.
This week saw two more Buckeye running back targets crossed off the proverbial list. Miami secured a commitment from Jordan Cronkrite, giving them two Buckeye tailback targets at running back for 2015 (Dexter Williams.) Yesterday Oregon nabbed Powder Springs, Georgia (McEachern High School) speedster Taj Griffin. Griffin fits the profile of recent Oregon running backs in that he's blistering fast. None of those three have visited Ohio State, despite regular discussion with the Buckeyes.
