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.
RETURN OF THE MACK?
Last week, Ft. Wayne, Indiana 2016 wide receiver Austin Mack and fellow Ft. Waynian (I just made that up, I think) Auston Robertson, a defensive end in the 2016 class, each visited Notre Dame. The pair watched as the Irish lambasted Michigan 31-0 and as expected, were made a priority by Brian Kelly and his staff. Mack and Roberston, ranked number one and number two in the Hoosier state respectively, are also very high-priority targets for Urban Meyer and his coaching staff. The duo is slated to be on-hand for Ohio State's September 27th game against Cincinnati, but they may decide to visit more than once this month according to Mack.
"We'll be there for sure on the 27th against Cincinnati," Mack told Eleven Warriors. "We might also be there this weekend too. It's a short drive we could stay with Rod (Smith) and Mike (Thomas) afterward."
Smith, from Ft. Wayne himself, and Thomas are roommates. Mack says he and Thomas have become very close since the summer.
"(Mike) is my guy," he said. "We talk all the time. We met at Friday Night Lights and he was really cool. We'll know for sure by Wednesday if we're coming this weekend or not."
Robertson is actually born and raised in Ohio, and although the Irish are his current leaders, an offer from Ohio State could and would make things very interesting. Whether or not that happens soon is yet-to-be determined.
Mack's recent highlights are, in a word, ridiculous.
FOSTER HEARING REGULARLY FROM BUCKEYES
Carmel Catholic (Mundelein, Illinois) 2016 offensive lineman Sean Foster, the 18th-ranked offensive tackle in his class, continues to hear from the Buckeyes. He visited Ohio State with his parents over last spring, and the Buckeyes continue to monitor his game and his progress.
At 6-foot-8, 280 pounds, Foster has the frame to develop into a monster tackle and it's that potential that has college coaches salivating. Foster currently has 11 offers, including Nebraska, California, Northern Illinois and others, but more are coming if the amount of communication he has with some of the region's "big boys" is any indication. Included in that group is Ohio State.
"We talk to Ohio State almost every other day," Troy Foster, the lineman's father shared with 11W. "We've been hearing a lot from them, Wisconsin, Purdue, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida State and Michigan State."
The Fosters hope to make it Ohio State sometime later in this season, and part of the appeal is a developing relationship with Ed Warinner, the Buckeyes' offensive line coach.
"Sean has been focusing on his season, so visits will come later in the year," he added. "Ed Warinner has been in contact with Sean, we think he's great."
NO GO ON MCILWAIN
The Buckeyes have offered a number of 2016 quarterbacks, including Pennsylvania's Brandon McIlwain, who will visit South Carolina for their big game against Georgia this weekend. While the four-star quarterback is getting his visits underway, don't expect him to be back in Columbus anytime soon. He says the Buckeyes are not in his top six schools, despite the fact that Ohio State has continued to be in touch with him recently.
"They've been staying in touch, through Twitter mostly," McIlwain said. "I won't be going there for a visit though, because I'm only visiting my top six schools."
With almost 800 total yards through two games in his junior season at Council Rock North, including almost 400 on the ground, McIlwain's handle on the spread offense should make him a top target for the Buckeyes, but he said he didn't feel like he was a priority when he visited Columbus in June for a one-day camp.
"I didn't get the greatest feel when I visited there over the summer," he added. "I didn't get the feel from the coaches that I was there top guy."
Dwayne Haskins, are you listenin'?
FROM THE MOUTH OF RECRUITS
After the Buckeyes' disappointing — and yes ugly —performance against Virginia Tech on Saturday night, the recruiting stress-level for many around these parts reached red. I'm here to tell you folks, recruits don't really see things the way fans do, and for that, we should all be thankful.
One of Ohio State's top recruits, who plays a position that saw some struggles on Saturday evening, had this to share about the performance.
"Yeah, I watched the game," he told 11W. "It was frustrating to watch because I wanted Ohio State to win. On the other hand, I got to see that if I went there I have a chance to play early and make an impact."
Does the loss, even in such an ugly fashion impact his view of the Buckeyes?
"Of course not," he added. "JT (Barrett) is a new quarterback, he's still adjusting and everyone else is just really playing for the first time."
