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: 08/17 08/18 08/19 08/20 08/21
- THE LEG: Buckeyes 2017 Commitment Blake Haubeil Drilling 60+ Yard Kicks
- COMMUNITY INTERVIEW: Ohio State 2016 Commitment Jake Hausmann
- MACK IS IN: 2016 Commitment Austin Mack Makes It Almost Official
- PREP TRACKER WEEK 1: Mack, Barrow Make Splash in Season Opener
MCCALL SPOTLIGHT AS 2015 SEASON APPROACHES
Scout.com is continuing their Scout Spotlight series and this weekend they've turned it to Buckeyes' 2016 commitment Demario McCall.
McCall, as you can see, is pretty fast. The country's second-ranked running back, a US Army Bowl All-American, could be slowed down a bit heading into his season-opening game against North Royalton; he's been battling a slightly turned ankle.
JUDSON STANDS OUT IN FINAL SCRIMMAGE
Cocoa (Florida) kicked off their season against Titusville on Friday night in the kick-off classic and it was a Bruce Judson special. The 2017 Ohio State commit was a one-man wrecking crew, finding the endzone four times, including two scores – a run and a pass – from over 50 yards as the Tigers rolled to a 38-13 win.
Although he's likely a wide receiver at the next level, Judson continues to be a major problem for defenses all over the country from the quarterback position.
If you're in Ohio, you can check out Judson's Tigers in person on October 3rd: they'll travel to Cleveland to take on defending state champ Lakewood St. Edward.
MICHIGAN'S BEST PLAYERS SHOWS OFF BUCKEYES' MITTEN IMPACT
The Detroit News released their list of Michigan's Top 50 high school football players this weekend and the list highlights a couple of interesting changes up north. First and foremost, the state of Michigan has really gotten better at football. Years ago, there'd be a handful of Division One talents in the Mitten and now you're looking at a state that's 50-60 deep with top-tier players. Heck, the state's 21st-ranked player by The News is a four-star 2017 prospect, defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher, who already has offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and many more.
The second interesting thing? The impact that Ohio State – specifically Kerry Coombs – has had in Michigan. The Buckeyes inroads at Cass Tech the last few years have been well-noted, but if you look at the players this list ranked just in the top 20, there's a number of guys interested in Ohio State and vice versa.
- Donnie Corley, Jr.: Have we talked about him enough?
- Daelin Haynes: USC commit but holds a Buckeyes offer.
- Michael Onwenu: Michigan commit from Cass Tech once had the Buckeyes as his leader.
- Michael Jordan: Ohio State commit.
- Donovan Peoples-Jones: 2017 wide receiver received his first offer from the Buckeyes.
- Matt Falcon: Michigan commit, once had Buckeyes as his leader.
At number eight on list is Penn State commit Lavert Hill, who visited the Buckeyes for Friday Night Lights. No. 17 on the list is 2017 cornerback Ambry Thomas, who also visited the Buckeyes in July. Detroit Cass Tech's Jaylen Kelly-Powell, a 2017 safety with a Buckeye offer? He checks in at No. 31.
With the new era in Ann Arbor, as well as the continued success by Mark Dantonio and Michigan State, it's going to be harder and harder to make an impact in Michigan, but Urban Meyer's staff has certainly done that over the last four years.
BUCKEYES IN TOP FIVE FOR 2017 TOP 100 RUNNING BACK
At Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, there's never a shortage of talent and their top player in 2017, running back Khalan Laborn, has a top five and a decision planned, according to Rivals.com. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Laborn visited Ohio State last month and the school made his top group, along with Florida State, Virginia Tech, Georgia and North Carolina. What did Laborn like about the Buckeyes?
"There is nothing to dislike about that school," said Laborn. "It's really like a family there.Wayne Davis told me some good things about them. Urban Meyer is a straight up guy. He likes to talk to you and get to know you. They're a Big Ten school and they take care of their running backs."
Laborn says his top two are Florida State and Virginia Tech and a decision could come in December or January. The Seminoles have a commitment from the top defensive back in the 2016 class, Levonta Taylor, a high school teammate of Laborn's with the Dolphins.
