The Hurry-Up: Ferns Moving On Up, Bowen Still Thinking Things Over, and is Adam McLean a Possibility?

By Jeremy Birmingham on November 19, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Hair today, gone tomorrow.
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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.AA

ADAM MCLEAN DECOMMITS FROM PENN STATE

In case you missed it last night, one of the more vocal leaders of Penn State's recruiting class, defensive tackle Adam McLean, decommitted from the Nittany Lions.

Ohio State offered the Bethesda, Maryland defensive tackle this past February, but McLean never visited Columbus, despite regularly discussing that very thing. Could Ohio State, looking for a defensive tackle still in 2015, become a possible landing spot for the 6-foot-2, 290 pounder now? I'll leave it at this: they'll look into it. The Buckeyes need for a defensive tackle, combined with McLean's tight bond with new commitment Matt Burrell at least means there's a window here. 

The exact reasons for McLean's departure from the Penn State class he helped lead to prominence aren't known. There is speculation that it could have been related to academic challenges facing his entrance into the university, and if that is indeed the case the Buckeyes are likely to pass as well. If he can clear admissions, McLean's a talent that is worth looking at, but right now that's the question. He's got visits planned to Washington State, Ole Miss and Tennessee; Marshall has also been linked to his recruitment in the last few days.

Whatever happens with McLean, it's clear he's seen the ugly side of recruiting in the last day. "Fans" sure are quick to turn their hate up to 10.

JUWUAN BRISCOE DECOMMITS FROM CLEMSON

Things, they are happening. Another top Buckeye target, who had been committed elsewhere, has re-opened his recruitment: Maryland defensive back Juwuan Briscoe.

Briscoe visited Ohio State the weekend of November 1st and has been a priority for Urban Meyer and his staff since. Today, he's officially back on the market. Are the Buckeyes now in the driver's seat? Time will tell, but don't expect this one to go away. If Briscoe were to commit to Ohio State, I think the Buckeyes would be finished at defensive back for 2015.

BRANDEN BOWEN ON THE CLOCK?

After Burrell's commitment on Monday night, the Buckeyes now sit at three offensive lineman in 2015, but number four could be on the way – and soon. Former Utah commitment Branden Bowen is likely to make a final decision within the next week, according to a number of sources close to Bowen and the Buckeyes.

If Bowen selects Ohio State as expected, the Buckeyes would still like to add a fifth offensive lineman for 2015, especially if the last name is Drew Richmond or Andre James. The pair are both expected to take their official visit to Columbus next weekend. There are a number of other names being bandied about, but if they take five guys, there will not be any reaches for that fifth name; it'll be someone they believe is a difference maker.

BRENDAN FERNS GETS BIG ESPN BUMP

St. Clairsville, Ohio's Brendan Ferns, has continued his ascension into the national spotlight. He's one of the biggest movers in the ESPN.com junior 300.

We've tried to keep steady tabs on Ferns, a 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker, and his incredible numbers during his junior season are a big reason for his jump. He finished his junior season with some phenomenal stats: 114 solo tackles, 29 assists, 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles; he also intercepted a pass. On offense, he was equally as efficient and dominant. On the year, he rumbled for 1135 yards on just 137 carries and also caught 12 passes. He finished with 14 offensive scores.

The state of Ohio's 4th-ranked player for 2016, the Buckeyes will see Ferns again next weekend when he visits Columbus for The Game against Michigan. He's the 67th-ranked player nationally according to 247Sports.com's composite feature.

NEW WIDE RECEIVER NAME TO WATCH?

On Monday night, we touched on the fact that long-time Buckeye favorite Lawrence Cager could be trending away from Ohio State. Notre Dame and Alabama are the two most likely programs to swoop in and "steal" Cager from Urban Meyer's clutches. While the Buckeyes are confident that Cager's visit next weekend will help right the ship, they're not resting on their laurels or turning away other interested parties. One new name on the Ohio State radar is Ykili Ross, a 6-foot-2, 185 pounder from Riverside (Polytechnic), California. Ross will visit Ohio State officially next weekend according to a source in Columbus.

"We love Cager," the source said. "We want another wide receiver and we want it to be him. He knows that. He also knows that if he's not interested, we're going to get another receiver somewhere else. This Ross kid from California is more like a Van Jefferson type, not as big but a bit faster and maybe more polished. He's really smooth, but it'll be a challenge getting him to leave the coast, of course."

Ohio State has had some success in Riverside recently: 2013 tight end Marcus Baugh — a cousin of Ross — went to Riverside North High School. Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, USC, UCLA, Oklahoma and many others have offered. He's the country's 21st-ranked player at the position.

DAILY REMINDER: RECRUITING IS WEIRD

It can't always stink to be a top recruit, I guess.

Of course, every rose has its thorn I guess.

Can you spot the troll?

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