The Hurry-Up: Chris Ash Leading the Charge, Rumors Around 2015 Linebackers and More

CHRIS ASH EARNING HIS STRIPES

We heard all spring and summer about the impact Chris Ash would make as the new Buckeye defensive coordinator. What we didn't hear much about as the impact that Ash, an Iowa native, would have on recruiting. 

"The one guy at Ohio State who continues to just blow us away is Chris Ash," the father of one highly recruited 2016 prospect told Eleven Warriors. "He's so up front with us about everything. There's not a single ounce of B.S. with that guy. He really made an immediate connection with us and I don't think we'd be considering Ohio State like we are if he wasn't there."

ALL HAIL THE RUMOR MILL

Yesterday, another outlet reported that Buckeye commitment Justin Hilliard was in fact starting to "look around" — specifically at Iowa — in part because of Ohio State's continued pursuit of Cleveland Benedictine's Jerome Baker. The logic, as reported, was that since Hilliard (listed as the nation's top inside linebacker by Rivals.com) and Baker (listed as the fifth-ranked outside linebacker) could potentially play the same position in college, Hilliard would look elsewhere. I reached out to a few sources at Ohio State for their opinion on those rumors, and what they're feeling with respect to Hilliard in general.

"First of all," the source said. "Some people just need to create rumors because it's their job. Justin Hilliard knows how important he is to the class and his family knows. Yes, we want Baker but we want him and Justin at different spots: Baker is a SAM and Hilliard is a Will or a Mike, but they are not going to play the same position."

I continued on with Hilliard queries, namely if there was concern about his recent visit to Iowa.

"You never want a player to visit somewhere else," the source continued. "Justin's the guy in our class. He's a player who we feel very confident about signing in February, but we're always going to keep recruiting him because we know other schools aren't going to let up."

COMMITMENT WATCH?

Don't be surprised if you get a 2016 gray box this weekend. Multiple sources have confirmed to 11W that a commitment from Maple Heights, Ohio H-Back Kierre Hawkins is likely. Hawkins, a 6-foot-4, 210 pounder, was offered by the Buckeyes two weeks ago and while an immediate commitment was considered, a weekend visit to Ohio State needed to happen before a decision was made. That visit is this weekend as Hawkins and his family will watch Ohio State take on Rutgers.

If he commits, Hawkins will become the third in-state commitment for the Buckeyes in the 2016 class. The in-state group is one of the strongest in recent memory, according to a number of talent evaluators.

RUTGERS VISITOR PREVIEW

Home games — all of them — are big games. That's especially true when the coach of your favorite football team has a fanaticism for recruiting like Urban Meyer. This weekend, as the Buckeyes host the Scarlet Knights for the first time, they'll also host dozens of key recruits.

Let's take a look at the names on tap.

• Commitments on the Scene
  • 2015 DL Josh Alabi - Tentative
  • 2016 OL Tyler Gerald
• Priority Prospects to Watch
  • 2015 OL Josh Wariboko
  • 2015 TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe
  • 2016 WR Donnie Corley - Tentative
  • 2016 WR Brad Hawkins
  • 2016 WR Kierre Hawkins
  • 2016 DE Nick Bosa
  • 2016 DE Ron Johnson
  • 2016 DL Michael Onwenu - Tenative
  • 2017 WR Donovan Peoples-Jones - Tentative
  • 2017 DE Corey Malone-Hatcher
  • 2017 DB Marcus Williamson

There will be more names that crop up, for sure. Wariboko, Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Josh Alabi (if he makes the trip) will be on their official visits. Ohio State continues to put themselves in a great spot with Wariboko, the former Oklahoma Sooner commitment.

SEASON OVER FOR TYLER GERALD

Another Ohio State commitment has seen his season come to a premature end because of an injury. Sciotoville East (Portsmouth, Ohio) lineman Tyler Gerald. The 2016 standout, the country's 4th-ranked offensive guard, broke his wrist during a practice.

"My hand got stuck in a facemask," Gerald told 11W. "I just put my hand in the wrong place. I'm out for the rest of our season."

The future Buckeye is trying to keep his mind in the right place.

"I'll condition and get ready for basketball season now to the best of my ability" he said of his mindset. "Of course I'll also be out there supporting my boys on the football field. There's nothing more to it than that, somethings crap happens and you just have to deal with it and keep pushing."