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.
COOPER SUFFERS SCARE BUT SEEMS TO BE OK
The big news of the weekend, since the Buckeyes are on the road and not hosting a bunch of big recruits, was the scare suffered by Ohio State five-star defensive end Jonathon Cooper on Friday night.
Here's the breakdown, from Jimmy Bloomfield, who was on the scene:
Ohio State DE commit Jonathan Cooper is down right now with an apparent leg injury at Gahanna's game tonight. Doesn't look good
— Jimmy Bloomfield (@_JBloomfield) October 24, 2015
Jonathan Cooper still being evaluated on the bench. Right leg is extended on the bench. Helmet is off and looks like his night is done
— Jimmy Bloomfield (@_JBloomfield) October 24, 2015
Jonathan Cooper now being Carted off into the locker room. Definitely a right leg injury. Crowd applauds. Talk about a rough senior night
— Jimmy Bloomfield (@_JBloomfield) October 24, 2015
Jonathon Cooper out of locker room early before 2nd half and is running drills in front of coaching staff. No jersey / brace on right knee
— Jimmy Bloomfield (@_JBloomfield) October 24, 2015
Ohio State director of player personnel, Mark Pantoni, was tuned in and paying attention from New Jersey.
Prayers for Coop https://t.co/86PrYCQTlZ
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) October 24, 2015
I spoke to the five-star defensive end's mother on Friday night, and she was optimistic that things would turn out OK. Cooper himself told me "I'm good" on Friday night, and he had an MRI scheduled for his right leg Saturday.
According to a few sources, the results from the MRI were good news and it seems that, at the very least, there's not any longterm injury. Cooper's return to the lineup for Gahanna Lincoln isn't certain, but knowing the athlete he is it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him back this week, although taking a week off seems a bit more likely.
Overall it seems the scare on Friday night was just that, a pretty good sized scare.
FARRELL CARTED OFF FIELD
It was a rough night for future Buckeyes, at least on the health front. 2016 tight end Luke Farrell, the Perry, Ohio, star who committed to Ohio State in July, also found himself being carted off the field on Friday night.
Perry TE Luke Farrell has not returned. On the bench with a trainer after that hard shot last series
— News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) October 24, 2015
The updates on Farrell were vague, but it appeared that it was a back injury according to his coach.
Perry coach Rosati on #OSU recruit Luke Farrell: "It's his back, sorta the kidney area. We don't know its a bruise or if he chipped somethin
— News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) October 24, 2015
I received an update on Farrell's situation and it seems that, although he's going to miss a week or two, he's likely to be ok and hopes to return in time for the start of the playoffs in two weeks.
"I should be all right, it's my lower back," Farrell told Eleven Warriors. "They're saying a week or two. I don't think it's anything serious."
To add insult to injury, Farrell's Perry teammates suffered their first loss of the season, falling 49-28 to West Geauga.
STAFF HITTING THE ROAD DURING BYE WEEK
The upcoming bye week will be a chance for players to heal up from some of the bumps and bruises that have been sustained over the last two months, and it also gives the coaching staff some time to check in with some top targets.
#OhioState's Tony Alford will be at Tampa Catholic tomorrow to see 5* WR @NateCraig2016, as well as '17 4* ATH Devan Barrett @Devan_Barrett5
— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) October 25, 2015
While Binjimen Victor and Donnie Corley continue to sit atop the Buckeyes' wide receiver board, the staff hasn't forgotten about five-star Nate Craig-Myers. The Tampa Catholic wideout could play a crucial role in Ohio State's 2016 receiver haul even if he elects to stay in the state of Florida. As we've mentioned before, the Gators are filling up at wide receiver and securing a commitment from Craig-Myers could certainly help push Victor to Columbus.
We will have more updates on the staff's whereabouts throughout the week.
LECOUNTE WORKING HARD FOR A PURPOSE
As one of the country's most highly-regarded 2017 recruits, the fanfare around Richard LeCounte, the standout athlete from Georgia, is well-earned. LeCounte, at 5-foot-11 and 175-pounds, is a broad-shouldered star athlete but he's carrying a lot of weight that people can't see.
What does he play for? He honors his beloved grandmother, Alberta LeCounte. She passed away suddenly when he was 8 years old…
“Every time I have a decision I think about what she would say,” Richard LeCounte III said. “Every time I put this jersey on or whatever I am doing she is always watching over me. …. She’s protecting me and watching me and keeping me covered every step of my way.”
That jersey number designates the month (April) his grandmother was born. She was a well-respected lieutenant in the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department.
LeCounte's grandmother, along with his mother, helped him become the young man he is.
When his grandmother passed away, an 8-year-old Richard LeCounte had to obtain a new suit the day before her funeral. His mother didn’t know his size. That was the sort of thing his grandmother always did for him.
Additionally, Richard LeCounte sang at his grandmother’s funeral.
He got up and sang ‘Cooling Waters,’” his father Richard LeCounte Jr said. “She loved that song. It was real deep and a special moment for our family.”
LeCounte carries that faith forward, even when on long recruiting trips. He will access his Bible app and screenshot scripture to send to his mother to debate passages.
His mother also wears No. 4 at every one of his games. That number also honors her as she was born on March 4.
As for recruiting, LeCounte's story could be winding down, although he's not claiming any leaders, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson are the three schools that most regularly get his attention.
His former teammate Raekwon McMillian is a standout linebacker at Ohio State. The two are so close that they pray together each week with the help of FaceTime. LeCounte made it to UGA on unofficial visits for the South Carolina, Southern and Alabama games. He also likes Clemson, but can’t prioritize any one school yet.
“I’m just really not in love with any school,” Richard LeCounte III told DawgNation. “I can’t say I have a leader if one day I love Clemson and the next day I feel the same about UGA.”
A decision is expected in December.
