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.
2018 OFFENSIVE LINEMAN BLAINE SCOTT TALKS BUCKEYES
One of Ohio's top 2018 prospects is Portsmouth East offensive tackle Blaine Scott, a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder who started at center for the Tartans as a freshman. Last week, Scott checked out Michigan State during the Spartans big win against Oregon and this past weekend he made his way to Columbus to see the Buckeyes.
"It was great," Scott, a former teammate of current Ohio State commitment Tyler Gerald, said of the visit. "That was my first Ohio State game ever so it was definitely exciting. The atmosphere was amazing and there's just nothing like it."
Scott had a chance to meet briefly with Ohio State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Ed Warinner.
"I talked to (Warinner) in the recruit room for a few minutes about how things were going with me and my season," Scott told 11W. "All went well with him. I'm looking forward to coming back down the road."
Scott and the Tartans are 4-0 on the season under new head coach James Gifford and have a big contest against Lucasville (Ohio) Valley this weekend.
"This Friday is a big one for us against a final four team from last year but I honestly believe myself and my team are ready to go," Scott said. "Our team has a fire right now and everyone believes we can get this win so we will be ready to go."
Scott is next slated to visit Notre Dame on October 10th when the Fighting Irish will be taking on Navy in South Bend.
HAUBEIL SHOWS OFF IMPRESSIVE LEG
If you read yesterday's Prep Tracker, you are aware that Ohio State 2017 kicker commit Blake Haubeil blasted a 61-yard field goal this past weekend in Canisius' 23-20 victory.
Here's what it looked like:
Pretty good, huh?
GILL CHECKING OUT HIS OPTIONS
While we're talking about 2018 standouts from Ohio, let's check in on Westerville South's Jaelen Gill, the only prospect in his class inside of the Buckeyes state with a Buckeye offer.
The 6-foot-0, 170-pound Gill is expected by most recruiting folks to end up at Ohio State, but there's no doubt that he continues to do his due diligence in respect to recruiting. Last weekend Gill, like the aforementioned Blaine Scott, visited Michigan State. His mother, Shelly, said that trip was an all-around success.
"We did have a great time (at Michigan State)," Shelly Gill told 11W. "It was a good trip all around. Jaelen got to meet some other recruits he's been in contact with through Twitter."
This past weekend, Gill headed east to Happy Valley and checked out a "White Out" atmosphere as Penn State took on Rutgers.
PSU vs Rutgers #WeAre #psustripeout @jaelengill21 @rodjigga38 pic.twitter.com/UHzrXliDBo
— Shelly Gill (@see_shells) September 20, 2015
Gill has told me directly a number of times that he's got no plans to make a decision anytime soon but it's clear that, despite his affinity for the Buckeyes, he's taking his recruitment very seriously.
EWELL EXCITED FOR HIS FIRST OHIO STATE VISIT
Ohio State has had good luck in Norfolk, Virginia the last few years and they're looking to go back to the well in 2017 with Darnell Ewell, a four-star defensive tackle at Lake Taylor High School. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound junior will be at Ohio State this upcoming weekend for their home game against Western Michigan.
"I'm really excited about this trip," Ewell told Eleven Warriors. "I've only been to Virginia Tech and then I'll get back to planning some more trips."
Ewell is a teammate of current Ohio State commitment Wayne Davis, a 2016 cornerback.
ANOTHER NEW 2016 LINEBACKER OFFER
Last week Ohio State extended an offer to 2016 linebacker Bryce Youngquist, an Oklahoma commit with Ohio ties, in the hopes of landing another potential star late in the process. Youngquist told 11W that he was comfortable with his commitment to the Sooners and that as of now he's unlikely to make a trip east to visit Ohio State.
Today, the Buckeyes got back on the phone with another California linebacker and extended another linebacker offer, this time to Mique Juarez, a five-star from Torrance North High School who is committed to USC.
Blessed & thankful to receive a an offer from Ohio State. Thank you Lordroad to success doesn't stop hereGoBucks pic.twitter.com/ZRBtEg0z5U
— Mique (@miquejuarez3) September 21, 2015
Juarez is 6-foot-2, 222 pounds and according to sources at Ohio State, there's some guarded optimism that he's at least willing to consider a visit. The recent success of Ohio State linebackers is being sold as something for Juarez to look into.
We'll keep watching this one to see if he sets up a visit, but it appears that the desire to add another linebacker in 2016 – after being content with one for months – is real.
