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.
WADE ADDS MICHIGAN OFFER, FEELING OHIO STATE LOVE
It's been a good week for Lamont Wade, one of the bigger targets on Ohio State's 2017 defensive back recruiting board. First, as a junior, he's finally getting a chance to connect with college coaches on a more direct level, and he was clearly made a priority by some big-time programs.
Wade added an offer from Michigan – who is quickly re-establishing their brand around the region – an offer he coveted.
From 247Sports.com:
"It was an awesome feeling to finally get one from Michigan," he said. "This offer really is a dream come true for me."
Ohio State has been at the top of the list for Wade for a while now, and they're not resting on their laurels in the pursuit of the country's seventh-ranked cornerback. On Tuesday morning, he was bombarded by direct messages and graphic design content.
LOVE from buckeye nation ! pic.twitter.com/lNVzIFHdcj
— Laont Wade (@Goony_38) September 1, 2015
On Wednesday, it was snail mail and lots of it that caught his attention.
25 things of mail from OSU today...
— Laont Wade (@Goony_38) September 3, 2015
The Buckeyes are expecting to see Wade on campus at least two times this season. Ohio State leads on the 247Sports.com crystal ball for Wade.
WESSON MOVING UP THE RANKINGS
One of only six committed players in the 2017 Scout.com Top 100, Ohio State basketball pledge Kaleb Wesson is ranked at No. 62 in the latest release. Wesson, the 6-foot-8, 280-pounder, committed to the Buckeyes in July and is likely to be the only player in his recruiting class. He's Scout.com's 14th-ranked center and the top overall player in the state of Ohio.
If there's another player who you might want to pay attention to for 2017, it's Minnesota's Gary Trent, Jr. The five-star shooting guard is high on the Buckeyes and Ohio State is definitely interested in the talented shooting guard. Trent is ranked at No. 14 on the Scout.com list.
AHMAN ROSS IS NEW 2017 NAME TO WATCH
With September's arrival, new names to watch will continue to appear on the Ohio State radar. This week, it's Florida's Ahman Ross, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety from Jacksonville who has started to garner a little attention from the Buckeyes.
"I was talking with Mark Pantoni," Ross shared with Eleven Warriors. "He was telling me all the great things about the university and that he loved my film."
The Bolles School standout has only two offers right now – from Florida State and Miami – but he's a player who will likely end up with his pick of the litter. As a Florida native, the lure to stay home for college is always strong, but it won't make or break a decision for the as-of-now three-star prospect.
"I'm not really set on leaving home, or staying close to home," Ross said. "What's important to me is the relationship I have with my coaches and the overall atmosphere of the school. Everyone understands that (Ohio State) is a top program and they're one of the best schools in the nation."
To be considered for a role in the Silver Bullets defense, especially at safety, a player has to be versatile and Ross says he's familiar with his strengths and what he still needs to improve on.
"I would say my man-to-man coverage and hip flexibility as a defensive back, those are key areas I can improve on," Ross concluded. "I'm a big hitter; I'll come up and support on the run I would definitely consider myself a sure tackler."
MARCHIOL PICKING UP BIG OFFERS, HEARING STILL FROM BUCKEYES
Ohio State offered Colorado 2017 linebacker Santino Marchiol in June, and he camped with the Buckeyes ten days later. The 6-foot-3, 224-pounder, the country's 17th-ranked outside linebacker (although truth be told he's more likely an inside guy in college) has recently started hearing from a number of new schools.
"I'm very blessed," Marchiol said. "I've heard from 33 schools this week, including Ohio State."
One of Marchiol's close friends, 2017 offensive lineman Jake Moretti, committed to the Buckeyes in July, but the Cherry Creek linebacker says he's in no hurry to make a choice.
"Jake is one of my great friends," Marchiol said of Moretti. "I am very proud of him and I was not shocked at all on his commitment, we took the visit together. We both loved Ohio State and he told me that it was his favorite. I am not making my decision now but he felt that he wanted to commit early and end the recruiting process. I will be waiting until my family and I reach a decision."
Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Stanford are among the latest suitors for Marchiol, who says he will make his way to Columbus this fall for a game.
"I will for sure be back there for a game this year," Marchiol added. "I will be out there with my entire family when I head back."
