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.
SPARTANS COMPLETE BIG WEEKEND
Last Thursday night we predicted that Michigan State was fixin' to have a big couple days. Today, with a pair of commitments from two of Illinois' top players (Mike Panasiuk and Naquan Jones), the Spartans wrapped up a four-day stretch that landed them a complete – and potentially dominant – defensive line of the future.
Friday's commitment from Josh King, combined with Sunday's pledge from Auston Robertson, gave the Spartans' defensive line coach, Ron Burton, a number of exciting new talents at his disposal. It also means that the Spartans have effectively ransacked the state of Illinois, laying waste to in-conference foes Illinois and Northwestern.
Michigan State now has commitments from the Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 9 players in Illinois, as well as No. 22.
— Mike Wilson (@MikeWilson247) June 8, 2015
Mike Wilson, a Michigan State recruiting analyst for 247Sports.com, says this weekend could go a long way towards cementing Michigan State's future.
"This weekend was the third big wave of commitments to Michigan state in this class, but had a different feel since all four are in the same position group," Wilson told 11W. "It also spoke to the influence of Burton on the recruiting trail. (Michigan State) should take 5-8 more in this class depending on attrition. The players fit very well with Burton and what he likes to do and there's a sense of versatility and long athleticism that is right up his alley."
The Spartans are not finished yet. Tomorrow they'll have Perry, Ohio's Luke Farrell on campus for the first day of a two-day visit that they hope will turn the momentum in their favor. Farrell, the country's 8th-ranked tight end, has a Buckeye offer and continues to be a priority for Ohio State.
HALL VISITING BAMA
Ohio State 2016 commitment Terrell Hall in Alabama today, visiting and camping in Tide Country with his teammates. The visit, much like Kareem Walker's visit south last week, isn't a secret and Ohio State is well aware of it. Also, like Walker, Hall is continuing to say the right things privately and the Buckeyes feel comfortable and confident where they stand with the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder, ranked as the country's 9th-ranked defensive end.
As Ohio State's recruiting continues to take a more national approach, and as the recruiting industry continues to expand, the odds of Buckeye pledges visiting schools all over the place continue to increase. While that may be unsettling for the more weak-stomached readers, it's best to just embrace the daily rollercoasters that come with it or only sign in on signing day. I'd prefer you stick around for the day-to-day.
Oh, speaking of Hall, how's this for a transformation?
1 year changed my whole life! pic.twitter.com/z1LaW1Vddh
— Terrell Hall (@_TrillTrell_) May 31, 2015
BINJIMEN VICTOR DECISION COMING
One of Ohio State's top remaining targets at wide receiver, Florida's Binjimen Victor, has a commitment date planned.
It's final I know exactly where I will be playing college ball JUNE 22nd DUE DATE
— BEN #9 (@BinjimenVictor) June 8, 2015
Victor, who spent almost a full week in Columbus last summer, has not yet returned to Ohio State and it's likely he'll select Florida on June 22nd. Still, Victor says that he's likely to make a return – or two – to Ohio State in the future.
"I'm so ready to commit, but I will still take visits." Victor told Eleven Warriors.
When asked if the Buckeyes would get a trip this summer or in the fall for an official visit, Victor said there's a chance on each account.
"Probably both," he said.
INTRODUCING JARRETT POWELL
In 2015, the Buckeyes went to Virginia and nabbed CD Hylton offensive lineman Matthew Burrell, Jr., who is days away from enrolling at Ohio State. In the 2017 class, another Bulldog standout is beginning to make his name known in the recruiting world.
Meet Jarrett Powell, a 6-foot-3, 217-pound defensive end/tight end who recently was named the TE MVP at the NUC (National Underclassmen) combine. He expects to grow another inch-and-a-half to three inches.
There were a few nice sized tight ends at this camp but the only one that earned TE MVP and that was Powell. This young man has the frame and athleticism to project as a hybrid TE/WR that causes matchup problems for linebackers. He demonstrated soft feet during agilities and good change of direction. Powell was able to use his size and strength to create space with the defensive backs during one-on-ones. He is then able to attack the ball with his hands while it is at its highest point. This fall will go a long ways towards his recruitment as he does not have any film from his sophomore season. Powell also doubles as a linebacker at CD Hylton.
Powell, who's just beginning to get himself noticed around the region, has added nearly 45 pounds since last November. He's still 15-years-old (he turns 16 on June 24th) and is one of the younger players in his class. He is hoping that John Harris, an assistant coach at Hylton, can get him to a Buckeye camp this summer.
He currently has no offers, but with a recent 40-time under 4.7-seconds and a growing frame, Powell is sure to be a player to pay attention to moving forward.
