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.
NO DECISION FOR JACKSON ON FRIDAY?
So, after being close to a decision last Friday – one that was expected by the Buckeyes – and rumors of a decision happening tomorrow, it appears Antwuan Jackson will not make his college choice this week.
According to this interview with Dawgnation.com, the country's 8th-ranked defensive tackle will take a step back from the pressures of a decision and instead focus on his senior season at Cedar Grove with a decision expected "in September or October."
Jackson remains the most likely candidate to join Ohio State's recruiting class at defensive tackle, a position of need for the Buckeyes. The last conversations I had with anyone close to Jackson indicated that he'd be comfortable with either choice, but the belief was that A.) either choice (Ohio State or Auburn) would mean official visits still happened and that B.) Jackson's relationships at Ohio State have grown quickly over the last few months, more than anticipated.
Does that mean the Buckeyes are the choice? Jackson himself isn't saying much, but he's never really been the type to do so. Without a decision this week, we'll have time to see what happens next, but it's safe to say that whenever the official visit to Columbus happens – and it's likely in September – it's going to be pretty darn big for the Buckeyes.
WALKER, DEPAUL CATHOLIC LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
Last night, Kareem Walker and his De Paul Catholic (Wayne, NJ) football squad had a big scrimmage against St. Peter's Prep, the alma mater of Notre Dame freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush. The two schools are loaded with Division One talents, but it was SPP that looked ready for the season last night, shutting down De Paul and Walker. According to NJ.com, there wasn't much positive happening for Walker's Spartans.
1. DePaul’s stars didn’t dazzle: There are 22 seniors on the team for DePaul, including a handful of the Garden State’s top college prospects, but none of those veterans brought their A-game Wednesday night. As head coach John McKenna told his team after the game: “This is your season to lose, we’re not the ones out there playing.”
Walker took the difficult night in stride.
"It didn't go so well," Walker told Eleven Warriors. "We killed ourselves a lot and we've gotta get in the film room and get better."
NJ.com also highlighted a difficult night for the Spartans' offensive line.
2. Revamped offensive line: It was a rookie front five last season for DePaul but the good news for the Spartans is the unit should be vastly improved thanks to several returning starters and the addition of Thiyo Lukusa, a 6-5, 305-pound Michigan State commit. The bad news is that it didn’t look that way Wednesday night. There were miscues with snaps and St. Peter’s Prep had penetration on nearly every play. The silver lining: Lukusa was not on the field.
Walker agreed with that assessment, but didn't seem to be panicking.
"We gotta get our offensive line ready," he added. "They have to be the strongest unit of all, and they'll get it together. We can't go 12-0 without them, and they'll be ok."
2017 LINEMAN VISIT FOR THIS WEEKEND IS STILL ON
One of the country's top 2017 lineman, Tony Gray from Lawrenceville, Georgia, is still expected in Columbus this weekend according to Todd Wofford, the head coach at Central Gwinnett High School.
The country's 18th-ranked 2017 offensive tackle has family ties in Ohio (Cleveland) and the Buckeyes have had luck at his school in the past: linebacker Trey Johnson matriculated to Columbus from the Black Knights in 2013. At 6-foot-5 and 284-pounds, Gray is a tackle in high school but right now it's possible he could project as an interior lineman in college, barring any more growth spurts.
What's yet to be determined is if Antonio Oliver, a 2016 cornerback and teammate of Gray's, will make the trip with him. Oliver is a player that the Buckeyes have been evaluating; he's currently got Tennessee, Wisconsin and Indiana, among others. Could Oliver be a name to watch if the Buckeyes miss on Damar Hamlin and Andrew Pryts moving forward?
2017 POINT GUARD MAKING OHIO STATE VISIT
Although the Buckeyes have not yet offered the country's 12th-ranked point guard and 49th-ranked overall prospect in the 2017 class, Jay Jay Chandler made a visit to Columbus today according to HoopSeen.com.
Today, August 20, Chandler and his father will take in the University of Kentucky program and then drive up to Columbus to see what Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes might have to offer.
Following his two visits and taking some time off with their family in Ohio, Chandler will head back down south and take visits to Memphis and Vanderbilt on Sunday, August 23.
Here's the scouting report on Chandler from the folks at HoopSeen:
Due to his toughness with the ball in his hands, playmaking skills off the bounce, and athleticism at the lid, there is definitely a lot to like from the 2017 guard.
A scorer at heart, Chandler finds himself as the number 44th ranked player in our latest rankings of the top 2017 prospects.
Ohio State is likely to be on the prowl for at least one point guard in the 2017 class.
Chandler, who has offers from Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and others, could be close to an offer. We all know how Thad Matta loves his lefthanders.
