The Hurry Up: News and Notes from Friday's One-Day Camp at Ohio State

TRISTEN WALLACE, DANNY CLARK ON DISPLAY

There may not be a college coach in America with more pressure in 2015 than Ohio State's Tim Beck. Because of that, he may actually have been grateful for a chance today to look beyond the fall of 2015 and spend some time with his 2016 and 2017 quarterback commitments, Tristen Wallace and Danny Clark, each of whom were on campus and camping with the Buckeyes.

Wallace has had, by my accounts, a rough spring at various recruiting combines and camps but from what I saw on Friday afternoon, I think some of the concerns about his current abilities are a bit overblown. Yes, Wallace – like every high school quarterback – has some areas to smooth out and improve upon, but the raw talent is there and it is copious. He is a legitimate 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds and has an absolute rocket for a right arm, throwing darts on outs, slants, posts and any other throw he made.

Tristen Wallace looked the part of a big-time quarterback prospect on Friday at Ohio State.

As the afternoon progressed, it was obvious that a bit of fatigue set in and Wallace became less accurate, but he was really sharp early in the day. The "hitch" in his throwing motion was not nearly as pronounced as reports I've read and he seemed to be a natural passer. He was working all day with Tim Beck, and was frequently watched by Urban Meyer as well.

For Clark, it was another day at the office. He, like 2016 commitment Jonathon Cooper, continues to impress me with an incredible work ethic. Clark does not live in Columbus yet made his way to the capital again today after being at Tuesday's camp and he was better (especially in the morning) than at any time I've personally seen him throw. His delivery and mechanics were much tighter and compact than recent appearances and the improvement in his accuracy was noted on one by Buckeye staffer I spoke with. 

Clark and Wallace had not had much of a chance to interact before today and by the end of the day, the pair – each considerably worn out – was embracing and seemed to have bonded during the day.

KAREEM WALKER TAKES IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Late last night, Ohio State 2016 commitment Kareem Walker announced on Twitter he was making a surprise trip to Columbus.

In route to Columbus.

— AlightyReem (@_KareemWalker) June 19, 2015

The Buckeyes' running back pledge, the nation's top-ranked running back, made it to campus early this morning after driving through the night with his mother. Walker spent most of the day with running back coach Tony Alford. He also spent considerable time in the early part of the day with Ohio State junior-to-be Ezekiel Elliott.

The present and the future of the Ohio State running back position.

In the afternoon, Walker was all over the campus, including a stop on the practice fields, in the running back "room" with Alford and of course, Urban Meyer. He also was seen talking to Ohio State commitment Jake Hausmann, who camped with the Buckeyes in the afternoon session and got to meet Tristen Wallace, Tyler Gerald and Danny Clark for the first time.

One player that wasn't there? Buckeye commitment George Hill, who Walker has said previously he had gotten the closest with out of all of his teammates. Hill was expected but did not make the trip. 

RASHARD LAWRENCE MAKES KEY VISIT

The Buckeyes welcomed 2016 Monroe, Louisiana defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence to Ohio State today and he was a very popular guest about the campus and the Woody Hayes' facility. At 6-foot-3, 305-pounds, he was – at the very least – very hard to miss.

Rashard Lawrence met a couple of Ohio State celebrities including Gene Smith and Ezekiel Elliott.

Lawrence was, for the most part, under lock and key, but anyone who spoke with the country's 6th-ranked defensive tackle seemed to indicate he was enjoying his visit. The Buckeyes are not likely to know anything concrete about his plans for months to come, but the visit – as noted – is at least an indicator of serious interest. Lawrence did not camp, but instead spent most of the day around the facilities getting acquainted with staffers and coaches and players.

I'll try and track down a bit more information on this visit as I can, so bear with me.

TEXAS DUO LANDS IN COLUMBUS

Two of the days bigger visitors hail from the state part of Texas, 2016 defensive back Jaylon Jones and 2017 defensive back Jeffrey Okudah. Jones is a four-star prospect and Okudah a five-star, and both were making their first trips to Columbus. Being in Ohio at the same time was a benefit, according to Okudah.

"(Jaylon and I) workout together in Dallas with Coach Clay Mack," Okudah said. "It was nice to have him here at the same time, because we share a southern perspective, so to speak."

What Okudah was putting into perspective? The vibe around Ohio State.

"It was a championship environment," he said. "I will make it back for a game."

Okudah and Jones, who is reportedly considering a decision at The Opening next month, were impressive in limited work that they did for Ohio State's Chris Ash.

Did the Buckeyes do enough to impress Allen, Texas four-star defensive back Jaylon Jones? Time will tell.

The Buckeyes are in the mix for a number of big-time defensive backs in the 2016 and 2017 classes but it would appear that Jones and Okudah are two names to continue to pay attention to.

BREAKING MY OWN RULE

A while back I attempted to self-impose a kind of moratorium on the unfortunate practice of prematurely discussing recruits before they were "ready" to be discussed. My own rule stated simply: I would not talk about any prospect on this site until they had completed their freshman year of high school football if they had a Buckeye offer.

I am temporarily putting a moratorium on that moratorium because today's camp included two freshmen-to-be that deserve a little run. 

First, Southfield, Michigan 2019 quarterback Sam Johnson, who – at 6-foot-3 and 180-pounds – was physically impressive on that basis alone. As a passer, he was accurate and precise and that's why before today he even began he already earned offers from Ohio and Akron. He's a bit long in his release but the tools are there for a special player down the road and it's going to be fun to see how his game develops. 

Secondarily, and in the secondary, is 2019 Cass Tech All-American-To-Be Xavier Goldsmith. Yes, I said it. Yes, I know it's crazy.

At about 5-foot-7 and weighing in at no more than 145-pounds, Goldsmith may have been the best pure cornerback in the entire camp today. Forget his size for now, this is a kid who has some serious polish to his game already and when he grows (likely to end up around 5-foot-10 or so) he is going to be a big-time national name.

One reason for Goldsmith's advanced skills? He's not messing around in the summer playing against guys his own age. This kid gets after it. 

The challenge for Goldsmith at this point is getting bigger and then keeping a level-head because the superlatives that will be lobbed in his direction aren't going to be for the weak at heart. Today alone I heard "he's a grown-ass man" and "will be the country's top-ranked 2019 cornerback" from an Ohio State coach and "will be the best cornerback to ever play at Cass Tech" from a Detroit-area parent. That's not everyday praise.

MISCELLANY

• Overall, it wasn't a great day at the camp for offensive and defensive line talent, but it was topped by 2017 Colorado offensive tackle Jake Moretti. He has a Buckeye offer and was pretty good in the time I saw him. 
• Another 2017 Colorado-native with an Ohio State offer, inside linebacker Santino Marchiol, also made the trip. Marchiol was one of a number of linebackers working exclusively and privately with Luke Fickell throughout the afternoon and it's easy to see why he's already at nearly 20 offers. He's a legitimate 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds and displayed excellent hands and downhill speed, although in one-on-ones he did struggle at times laterally. 
• Purdue commitment Jake Long was on hand and doing his part to try and earn an Ohio State offer. He was a part of Chris Ash's early private group and, as usual, held his own with excellent speed and a long frame. It's not a knock on Purdue, but Long is too good of a prospect to be headed to West Lafayette. 
• Want another 2018 running back name to watch? How about Indianapolis Cathedral's Markese Stepp. He's 6-foot-1 and almost 200-pounds as a soon-to-be-sophomore and Kerry Coombs was ecstatic when he saw the talented tailback was in attendance. I overheard Coombs tell the prospect that he, and I quote, "recruits the piss out of his high school" and sought Stepp out post-camp in order to make sure the youngster knew the Buckeyes were impressed.
• While the Buckeyes may be done at linebacker for 2016, one player who really impressed me and apparently Luke Fickell today was Centerville's Adam Hensley. Hensley looked the part at almost 6-foot-4 and 225-pounds and then surprised himself by running a 4.63 for the Buckeyes. He's got ten offers, including West Virginia, and was told the Buckeyes will be paying close attention to how his senior year plays out.
• Michigan 2017 wide receiver KJ Hamler was filthy all day long, dominating one-on-one sessions against every corner he faced (except, potentially, for Xavier Goldsmith) and seemed to do enough to warrant a Buckeye offer but it hasn't come yet. Ohio State will see how that plays out but Hamler told me that not getting the offer just means he'll have to work harder as the Buckeyes are one he covets.
• Formerly of Michigan, now of Northern California, 2017 defensive tackle Bryce Brand showed up late but, as usual, showed up. He's got a great first step and a motor that Larry Johnson, Sr. loves. Brand's issue? He's "short" at 6-foot-1 and isn't going to fit into every defensive system but someone is going to get a steal down the road.