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.
GIBSON PLANS CHANGING AGAIN?
If you've followed the Torrance Gibson recruitment in any capacity over the last year, you're aware it's had more twists and turns than most human entrails do. Gibson, who planned in July to announce his commitment on October 20th, decided he needed to change those plans recently. In his USA Today blog, Gibson said a need for college testing had superseded his ability to travel before the October date, and subsequently was changing the timing of his commitment.
I just found out recently that I have to take the SAT before I can take official visits so I set that up for Oct. 11. That’s gonna push everything back a little bit for me because I had originally planned to have a decision by Oct. 20; now I’m gonna set up the visits after I take the SAT and go from there. I don’t know when the new date for my decision will be. I haven’t locked down any dates for the officials yet either; I do know that I’ll definitely be visiting Ohio State and Oklahoma, but, like I said, I don’t know the dates yet.
Things seem to have already changed, according to the Florida dual-threat quarterback.
"I'm actually good now," Gibson shared with Eleven Warriors today. "I just had to get myself signed up for the ACT and SAT and I did that. I'll be taking the SAT on October 11th and November 21st. I'm looking to take my official visits right away."
The only two schools, as noted, he's got definite plans to visit officially are Ohio State and Oklahoma. The Buckeyes could see him on campus very soon, if all goes according to plan.
"I don't have a game next Saturday, the 27th," Gibson added. "I'll likely be visiting Ohio State then."
The Buckeyes host Cincinnati in the season's second night game at Ohio Stadium, and Gibson being on-hand would definitely turn up the excitement level.
TOMMY KRAEMER TRYING TO SCHEDULE OSU VISIT
Yesterday, Cincinnati Elder 2016 offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer added a big offer from an old favorite of his, the University of Michigan. Kraemer, as you may or may not have known, grew up rooting for the Maize and Blue. Now, months (?) away from a college decision, most people believe Kraemer's choice is about two others: Notre Dame and Ohio State, with the Irish having a big upper-hand at the moment.
While Kraemer attempts to keep things even-keeled in his recruitment, he admits Notre Dame has made a big impression and will be tough to say no to. However, the Buckeyes aren't quitting and they're hoping to get a chance to see him on their campus before he returns to Notre Dame on October 4th for their game against Stanford. Like most of their top 2016 targets, Ohio State would love to see him for the aforementioned slate against Cincinnati.
"I'm trying to get there soon," Kraemer said. "The night games help a lot, and if I can't make (next weekend) I'll definitely get to at least one game this season."
The challenges for Kraemer, travel-wise, are football-related.
"The travel is hard to arrange on the weekends," he added. "We do film study and everything on Saturdays."
BIG-TIME OHIO MATCHUP WILL HAVE BUCKEYES' ON HAND
Speaking of Kraemer, Ohio State has plans to see him live-and-in-person on Saturday night this week when his Cincinnati Elder teammates host the nation's top high school team, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward's. The Buckeyes will be in the house to check out Kraemer as Zach Smith and Kerry Coombs are scheduled to attend the big cross-state game.
I asked a source close to the recruiting situation surrounding Kraemer what he thought about the idea that the Buckeyes aren't making him a "priority" for 2016.
"That's laughable," the source shared. "Ohio State is recruiting him with Urban Meyer, Kerry Coombs and Ed Warinner. Three different people focusing on him, including Meyer. If that's a priority I don't know what is."
Cincinnati.com has an excellent preview of the state's biggest game this weekend.
LARRY JOHNSON MAKING VIRGINIA TREK
Another of Ohio State's big guns will be heading to some important high school games this weekend. Buckeyes' defensive line coach Larry Johnson, Sr. will be heading out of town to watch two of Ohio State's bigger targets for 2015 and 2016.
On Friday, the Buckeyes' associate head coach will check out offensive lineman Matt Burrell. He'll also see 2016 quarterback Dwayne Haskins, Jr. this weekend. The decision to send Johnson to the DMV instead of an offensive line or wide receiver coach may seem curious, but not to one of the region's most well-regarded high school coaches.
"Larry Johnson is so well-respected in this area," the source shared with 11W. "I know people expect the position coach but the job Johnson and (Zach) Smith have done here speaks for itself. The kids they're recruiting know they'll get better acquainted with their position coaches if they decide to commit to Ohio State. There's nothing wrong with sending the familiar face."
