The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s events with an ear on the ground for what’s next.
THE RECRUITING WEEK THAT WAS
- THE HURRY UP: 07/12 | 07/13 | 07/14 | 07/15 | 07/16 | 07/17
- THE SUMMER OF COOP: Jonathon Cooper Continues to Dominate
- BEST OF THE BUCKEYE STATE: Ohio State still needs Ohio high school football
- TOP 11 PROSPECTS LEFT FOR 2016: Who could fill out the class of 2016?
- BETTER KNOW A BUCKEYE: 2015 DT Signee Da'Von Hamilton
- JUDSON SAYS HE'S 100%: Buckeyes 2017 commitment tires of speculation
LECOUNTE IN COLUMBUS
For the past four days, Hinesville, Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte, the country's 52nd-ranked player in the 2017 class, has been in Columbus, camping at FBU Top Gun camp in Dublin.
On Friday, LeCounte informed me that he'd be trying to spend some time with Ohio State players when his obligations with the camp were finished, but there's been a bit of difficulty getting the freedom to do that. He's been to Columbus a handful of times and spoke glowingly about the program, the city and the school. He told me he's still highly considering Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Auburn and a few others, but it's hard – when talking to the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder – to not notice his comfort and ease when talking about the Buckeyes.
Back in December I had wrote that I felt LeCounte was trending in the Bulldogs' direction, but after talking to him and a few people close to him over the last few days, I have had a change of heart. I think, if everything continues as it's going, the Buckeyes are the pick. The Liberty County star, a former teammate of current Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan, went back to Georgia today despite trying to arrange a way to stay in town through the week so he can attend Friday Night Lights with the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, when you're not the controller of your travel schedule, things don't always work out the way you'd like.
So what's next? LeCounte told me 11W this morning that despite going back home today, he'd return to Columbus on Thursday and will be at Friday Night Lights.
JAELEN GILL SAYS NO DECISION COMING SOON
Another name to know that has been at FBU this weekend is Jaelen Gill, the 2018 Westerville South standout who is the only Ohioan in his class with a Buckeye offer.
Over the last few days, I've had a number of opportunities to talk to Gill and he's been great to talk with. He plans on being at – and working out at – Friday Night Lights this coming week and says that his talks with the Buckeyes, when he's been on campus, have led him to believe that the coaching staff thinks he could be a pure running back by the time he gets to college. Of course, he's not yet committed anywhere, and despite the Buckeyes being the supposed leader, Gill says he's not going to be making a choice anytime in the near future.
ALL-AMERICAN INVITE FOR DRUE CHRISMAN
When you're committed to Ohio State, the expectation is that you're one of the best in the country at your position, and Drue Chrisman continues to live up to that expectation.
The folks at FBU are very connected to the US Army All-American game and Chrisman was also in Columbus on Friday afternoon putting in some work and earned an invitation the the prestigious event, which will take place in San Antonio in early 2015.
Your first 2016 @ArmyAllAmerican is Drue Chrisman (Ohio State commit). He dominated day 1 competition. #ArmyBowl pic.twitter.com/eh4G5c8ZBQ
— Chris Sailer Kicking (@Chris_Sailer) July 17, 2015
Chrisman, like most Ohio State commits, will be back in Columbus on Friday for Friday Night Lights.
PRYTS AT FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS OR NO?
Andrew Pryts, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety from Hickory, Pennsylvania's Hermitage High School continues to sit high atop the Ohio State 2016 recruiting board. The Penn State legacy has been a confirmed visitor for Friday Night Lights and reaffirmed his intention to be there with 11W on Friday morning.
Still, a late Friday update from Scout.com analyst Brian Dohn cast a bit of doubt on whether or not Buckeye fans should expect him. In that update, Pryts says that he's done with visits and that a decision would be likely a few weeks from now. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford and UCLA are the schools still being considered, but most – myself included – believe the ultimate decision comes down to the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame had been hoping/expecting a return trip from Pryts to South Bend sometime after the Friday Night Light's visit. So, what's the plan, Andrew?
"I'll be at Friday Night Lights," Pryts re-reaffirmed with 11W on Saturday. "I meant I will not be taking any more visits after that."
FLORIDA DUO TO CHECK OUT GATORS
If you want to see the majority of the top targets on Ohio State's 2017 wide receiver recruiting board this Friday night, you might need to be in Gainesville, Florida to do it.
We already know that Detroit Cass Tech standout Donovan Peoples-Jones would be visiting Florida. However, it appears that Trevon Grimes and Emmanuel Greene, each of whom had at least tentatively planned on being in Columbus next Friday, will be working out with the Gators as well.
Greene told 11W that right now he's still trying to arrange to be in Columbus but if that falls through, then he'll head to Florida instead.
