The Hurry-Up: Brendan Ferns Continues to Dominate, Warinner's "Type" and More.

Before I begin tonight's Hurry Up, I'd be remiss if I didn't take a second to say thank you to the men and women who serve, and have served in the US military. It's truly among the most selfless sacrifice that people in our world today can make and it's because of you that I get to spend my days and nights talking about something as ultimately inconsequential as football and recruiting. I never stop being amazed and grateful for what you put yourselves, and your families, through so that others can be free. Sincerely, thank you.

BRENDAN FERNS CONTINUES HOT STREAK THROUGH SEASON

I apologize if I'm being redundant, but it's important to say it again: St. Clairsville 2016 linebacker Brendan Ferns is really good. On Saturday night, Ferns and his Red Devil teammates opened the post-season with a dominating 28-7 win against Coshocton, and it was Ferns who led the way. The state's top-ranked junior linebacker and the country's second-ranked inside 'backer, Ferns controlled the game on both sides of the ball. 

The 6-foot-3, 225 pounder tallied 17 solo tackles, assisted on six others and intercepted a pass on defense. On offense, from the tailback position, he carried the ball 15 times for 158 yards, including an 83-yard burst, scored twice and caught a 20-yard reception for good measure. All in a days work. 

Ferns and St. Clairsville look to continue their undefeated season this Friday night against Bishop Hartley (Columbus). He's scheduled to be in Columbus for late-season visit when the Buckeyes host Michigan on November 29th.

"THAT'S WHY THEY CALL ME COACH"

Still basking in the glow of Saturday night's 49-37 win against Michigan State, Ohio State offensive line coach Ed Warinner took his turn at the podium yesterday afternoon and confidently defended the development of his offensive line group.

How has Ohio State's offensive line improved so much in two months? Warinner: "That's why they call me coach; it's my job."

— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) November 10, 2014

Selective amnesia, short-term memory loss or just delusional – whatever you want to call the subsection of college football fans who are unreasonably wired – some Buckeye fans seem to forget what Warinner's group lost this off-season. Four starters, three of them who now start in the NFL, had to be replaced. He's done it, and done it without excuses. I talked with a 2015 prospect being recruited by the Buckeyes and he said he doesn't understand why people doubt Warinner at all.

"Coach Warinner is the man," the recruit said. "People don't think that (recruits) pay attention to how fans are on Twitter or websites but we do. People should be thanking him for the work he does but it's always 'what have you done for me lately.' I'm only considering Ohio State because of the way he coaches."

"The way he coaches" struck me as interesting. Warinner has been oft-maligned for his perceived shortcomings as a recruiter, but his on the field production speaks for itself. A current member of the Ohio State offensive line shared this with me about their leader.

"There were days when I wanted to quit, early on," the Buckeye lineman told 11W anonymously. "Coach can be hard on you, demanding, but he's always talking about the why and the how we do things the way we do. He drives us to be our best and he's the reason that the guys who buy in will all make the NFL."

BOWEN NEWS COMING?

It's been rumored since his November 1st official visit to Columbus that Branden Bowen could potentially be on "commitment watch" as it pertains to the Buckeyes. Of course, as a Utah commitment already, the expected progression of things is that Bowen will decommit from Utah first and officially re-open his recruitment. Last night, the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder had an interesting tweet.

I'm not ready for all of this...

— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) November 10, 2014

Is step one of the flip coming soon? I'd be willing to bet that some news is coming soon on that front. It appears as if the stresses of the recruitment are getting to him.

Stttrrrreeesssssiiinnnngggggg...

— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) November 10, 2014

GARRETT TAYLOR WATCHING THE NUMBERS? 

Last night's Hurry Up featured a little portion on the safety situation, Juwuan Briscoe, Garrett Taylor and the like. The Buckeyes, as we've discussed, would like to add another two defensive backs to the mix, which has Taylor concerned. It appears there's at least some hedging on his part about whether an official visit should take place.

"(Ohio State) has a ton of defensive back commitments already," Taylor said. "I'm probably still going to visit when I'm scheduled to."

We'll keep an eye on this visit moving forward. If it happens, I imagine it means whatever confusion/disconnect there is in the communicating of Taylor's role in their defense has been addressed and corrected.