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.
DANIELS' NARROWED LIST INCLUDES BUCKEYES
After a recent visit to Ohio State, the Buckeyes have made the top five for Euless, Texas 2016 defensive tackle Chris Daniels.
I just want to thank everyone for tuning in & following me through this process my Top 5 is #UofM #Bama #OU #A&M #OSU pic.twitter.com/Q14L0XfxvG
— Chris Daniels 7 (@clicclac97) September 4, 2015
Daniels, the country's 17th-ranked defensive tackle, is originally from Michigan and as you can see, the Wolverines are also on his final list.
Daniels and Euless Trinity made waves last weekend when they hosted – and beat – the country's top-ranked high school team, De La Salle (Concord, California).
Daniels himself spoke with Scout.com after that game about his recent trips to Columbus and Ann Arbor.
CAGE VISITING NOTRE DAME
Rivals.com analyst Ryan Donnelly broke the news last night that Ohio State 2017 commitment Jerron Cage, a four-star defensive tackle from Cincinnati, would visit Notre Dame this weekend.
The Winton Woods defensive tackle is the younger brother of Notre Dame sophomore Daniel Cage, so the visit is likely more about supporting his family than investigating Notre Dame more closely, but it bears watching regardless. Before he committed to Ohio State in July, many felt that Cage could/would eventually end up at Notre Dame, but he jumped on the Buckeye offer with some quickness, indicating where he wanted to be all along.
To further remove any worry, it seems the "vibe" out of South Bend is that, at least right now, Notre Dame isn't really pursuing the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Cage.
BUCKEYE LEGACY ADDS BIG OFFER
Ohio State legacy Brendon White, a defensive back/wide receiver at Olentangy Liberty outside of Columbus, picked up a big offer this week from a Big Ten rival.
Blessed to say I have received my 5th offer from Michigan State! pic.twitter.com/Sy9CQS7WEB
— brendon white5 (@therealestbw0) September 2, 2015
White, the son of former Buckeye defensive back William White, told Eleven Warriors he's also heard from Ohio State this week.
"I talked to Ohio State," White said. "I talked to (Luke) Fickell."
The Buckeyes continue to evaluate White and check out how he could potentially fit into their defensive scheme. Some see a defensive back, but Ohio State is more likely than not considering him a Darron Lee, athlete-turned-linebacker, type.
White will visit Michigan State for their September 12th home date against Oregon and doesn't have any immediate plans for trips to Ohio Stadium, but says that he's likely to be there a handful of times.
"My dad has season tickets," the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder shared. "So we pretty much go to every Ohio State game."
MOVING PIECES HELPING WITH JACKSON, VICTOR?
Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class has very few spots left and only a handful of players that the Buckeyes are pursuing to fill them. For two of them, defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson and wide receiver Binjimen Victor, some of this week's happenings could help the Buckeyes down the road.
Today Auburn added a commitment from five-star defensive end Marlon Davidson, the country's 24th-ranked player and second-ranked defensive end. Davidson's commitment as a defensive end wouldn't impact Jackson, but his frame – at 6-foot-4 and nearly 280 pounds already – seems to be more of a future defensive tackle than an end. Auburn continues to stockpile defensive line talent (Davidson joins tackle Tashawn Manning and end Daquan Newkirk as 2016 commitments); they're hot on the trail of the country's top-ranked recruit (Rashan Gary), eighth-ranked recruit (Shavar Manuel) and are the clear-cut leaders for four-star Antonneous Clayton.
There's been some discussion from Alabama that the Tigers' staff is beginning to feel less confident on Jackson and their numbers and options at his position could be a turning point in Ohio State's favor.
As for the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Victor, Ohio State's biggest competitors continue to add players at wide receiver while the Buckeyes stand pat. This week it was Tennessee who received a commitment from American Heritage wide receiver Brandon Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 175-pounder ranked as the country's 82nd-best at his position. The commitment of Johnson with the Vols could help Florida in their continuing pursuit of Freddie Swain, who's reportedly been trending towards the Gators in recent week.
Are you following here? Tennessee has three wide receiver commitments. Florida has three commitments at wide receiver already and are also the emerging leaders for Nate Craig-Myers. Swain, NCM and Miami commit Sam Bruce will be all be visiting Gainesville this weekend. The chance of adding both he and Swain would seriously hinder the Gators' odds of adding Victor, no matter how "not worried" about competition he is.
Many things can change, but there's no doubt that a number of things happening right now appear positive for the Buckeyes in their final push for 2016.
