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.
BOSA ON NATIONAL STAGE AGAINST KEVIN FEDER
For the second time in three weeks, Nick Bosa, Trevon Grimes, Damon Arnette, Jordan Scarlett and the rest of the juggernaut that is St. Thomas Aquinas High School will face off against a national powerhouse. After dominating Torrance Gibson and American Heritage two weeks ago, the Raiders travel to West Point to take on Don Bosco Prep out of Ramsey, New Jersey.
There's a chance that Ohio State commitment Kevin Feder could be lined up directly across from Bosa, the top-ranked weakside defensive end in the 2016 class. That match-up alone makes the game worth watching.
MaxPreps.com has a game preview of this anticipated match-up of Top 25 teams.
SCARLET AND GRAY WITH NO CHANCE FOR SCARLETT?
Speaking of Jordan Scarlett, I talked with a couple different sources in South Florida about a couple of players with Buckeye interest and/or vice versa. Scarlett, a running back committed to the University of Miami, made an official visit to Ohio State last weekend, traveling with teammate Nick Bosa. Although the running back himself has declined interview requests about his visit out of deference for the Hurricanes, there were a few interesting things my source there brought up.
"I heard (the trip to Ohio State) went very well for him," the source revealed. "That said, I don't think there's much of a chance he flips from Miami, unless Ohio State were to miss on Damien Harris and then really make a push for him, because you never know with these kids and Miami has a couple of really good backs committed. Someone is likely to leave, why not him?"
He wasn't done with the hypotheticals.
"I'll say this though," he added."If Ohio State could get him, there'd be a really good chance they'd flip Sam Bruce too. Those two are inseparable."
If you're unfamiliar with Bruce, the 2016 wide receiver, you ought to get familiar. Yes, he's small at 5-foot-8 but he's electric and has speed to spare. He's also, unfortunately, committed to the Hurricanes as well. The source, who's very familiar with Miami-area high school football, raves about him.
"Bruce is one of the most dynamic players I've ever seen," he said. "Both Sam and Jordan go to school with (Nick) Bosa and are coached by Cris Carter, so who knows? Maybe there's a chance."
Does that mean this particular source thinks Nick Bosa is all Buckeye? At this point, yes.
"I've heard Bosa is a 'lock' for Ohio State," he finished. "But again, we're talking about kids and recruiting in 2014 so who knows, really?"
#word
GIBSON RUMBLINGS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA
Since I'm dreaming of sunny beaches and waterside cocktails this evening, I decided to stay in Florida and reach out to a different south Florida source for some insight into Torrance Gibson. This source is pretty close to the situation at the University of Miami, and his opinion/value carries quite a bit of weight.
"I have no idea, really," the source said about Gibson's recent discipline-induced two-quarter benching. "I know that the kid seems to have a tough time staying out his own way. Good luck with him up there."
Up there? Are the natives conceding Gibson to Ohio State?
"We hear he's a lock for Ohio State," the source continued. "I mean, everyone saw him wearing Buckeye cleats."
While there's no evidence of Gibson being "all" anything at this point, the smoke regarding him and Ohio State has become pretty thick since his visit to Columbus in July. That said, there's a number of people who still believe one school to take notice of is the University of Miami. That is not the case, our source says: do not believe the hype.
"No, he's not on Miami's list," the source said. "That's been the case for a while. Sometimes the best thing for a kid is to get away from the place he's at."
BUCKEYES STILL HOPING TO BE VICTORIUS
Another primary Buckeye target from Florida is 2016 wide receiver Binjimen Victor. A 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior with sub-4.5 speed, Victor spent almost a full week in Columbus this summer and has been cultivating an excellent relationship with a number of college coaches, but none stand out to him like the one he has with Zach Smith.
"Yeah, I've been calling Coach Zach (Smith) whenever I can," Victor said. "I talk with a lot of coaches but (that relationship) is really strong."
Ranked as the number 29 receiver in the 2016 class and a four-star prospect, the Coconut Creek standout says he's hoping to get back to Ohio State this fall.
"It's not an easy trip," he said of the trek to Columbus. "But I'm definitely trying to get back there. I don't know what game yet, but I'm trying to make it happen."
