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.
KMET PUSHES UP VISIT, DECISION COMING SOON
One of the weekend's surprise visitors was Arlington Heights, Ill., tight end Cole Kmet, a priority target for Ohio State in 2017. Kmet, 6-foot-5 and 230-pounds, is the country's sixth-ranked tight end and sits atop the Buckeyes' recruiting board at the position along with Cincinnati's Matt Dotson. Kmet planned to visit Columbus in October for the big night game against Penn State, but things changed and instead took the chance to check out Ohio State this weekend.
"My parents weren't sure if we could get to the Penn State on the 17th for sure," Kmet told Eleven Warriors. "So I was just kind of like 'why not go this week?' My mom said she would love to go with me so we ended up going. I am actually very glad I decided to go to the game this week cause I would like to make my decision soon now that I have been to my top two schools."
Those top two schools are Ohio State and Notre Dame. The Irish have already secured a commitment from Brock Wright, the country's top-ranked 2017 tight end and Kmet has said previously that won't matter to him. What does matter, as you'd expect it, is comfort with the schools and the coaching staffs.
"One thing that stuck out to me was how much the coaches talked with me before and after the game," Kmet said of the trip. "I got to spend some good time talking with Coach Meyer after the game and this morning. Overall everything was amazing, I couldn't have asked for a better time."
WHITE RECAPS OHIO STATE TRIP
Ohio State legacy, 2017 Olentangy Liberty's Brendon White, also made a visit to check out the Buckeyes this weekend. The son of former Ohio State defensive back William White, the safety/linebacker prospect said this trip had a bit of a different feel.
"It was really solid," White said. "I really enjoyed my time there. They showed me more attention than they have in the past and invited me into the locker room after the game, which I've never done before."
In the last two weeks, White visited Michigan State and Notre Dame, each of whom offered during his trip, but the Buckeyes did not. They are aware of his recent trips, however.
"Luke Fickell sends me letters about (staying patient waiting for the offer)," he added. "I'm sure they take the other offers into consideration."
So no Buckeye offer yet, but does White feel any rush to make a decision with two huge offers under his belt?
"I'm just taking everything day-by-day," White added. "I'm being patient and I am no rush to commit yet."
EWELL VISIT GOES WELL
We talked about Darnell Ewell's visit to Ohio State earlier this week, but the big defensive tackle from Virginia made his way to Columbus without his teammate Wayne Davis, who will now visit in October.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder was spotted on the Buckeyes' sideline pregame and got some one-on-one attention from Zach Smith, who covers Virginia recruiting for the Buckeyes. As it stands, Ewell's crystal ball reads 100 percent Ohio State, and from talking to people close to the recruitment, his first trip to check out the Scarlet and Gray was an unmitigated success.
Ohio State has one committed defensive tackle in 2017 (Jerron Cage) but there's no doubt that Ewell is still near the top of the wish list.
CAGE CHECKS OUT NOTRE DAME
Speaking of Jerron Cage, the Winton Woods (Cincinnati) defensive tackle has had a big week. He's picked up offers from Michigan State and Notre Dame in the last few days and this weekend made a trip to South Bend where he checked out the Irish and supported his brother Daniel, who plays along the defensive line for Brian Kelly.
Cage committed to Ohio State almost immediately following their offer this summer has stated publicly that he's 100-percent committed to the Buckeyes but there's some speculation that the Notre Dame offer – because of his brother's involvement – could be a factor moving forward.
SMITH TAKES IN BUCKEYES FOR FIRST TIME
"Blue" Smith, a top prospect in Ohio's 2018 class, also made his first visit to Ohio State this weekend. The Wayne wide receiver, standing at 6-foot-5 and 200-pounds as a sophomore, is among the most physically imposing kids in his class and he looked the part during his visit with the Buckeyes.
Ohio State's coaching staff, like Michigan State's and others, is well aware of Smith and he was made a priority by a number of the Buckeyes' assistants and recruiting staff.
OSU visit yesterday @Nyem_Elijah pic.twitter.com/we3jiECuIC
— Blue (@bluesmith_) September 27, 2015
He's still young and raw, so there's no hurry for Ohio State to offer Smith, but unlike most of the state's top prospects he didn't grow up rooting for the Buckeyes. He's a North Carolina fan and his high school teammate and quarterback Messiah deWeaver is committed to Michigan State so he may not be the slam dunk most Ohio kids would be if/when an offer is extended. That said, yesterday was a good start.
"It was great," Smith told 11W. "I loved it. They didn't offer, but told me to keep dominating and being a leader on my team."
When asked what stood about about his trip he was quick to reply; it was the Buckeye faithful.
"How much the fans got into the game," Smith said. "That was crazy. The game atmosphere was crazy."
Smith also talked with a few Ohio State coaches and former Wayne Warriors standouts, getting his first face time with the Buckeyes.
"I talked with coach Zach Smith and Tim Hinton," Smith added. "They were at my game in week three and I also got to talk with Braxton Miller and Rob Landers."
