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.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WALKER, THE PROCESS
Last night, the what-was-once-inevitable-turned-only-slightly-possible happened as Kareem Walker re-opened his recruitment officially and decommitted from Ohio State.
Walker's recruitment has been a wild one, full of the unexpected ever since his surprise commitment at halftime of last January's national championship game. Whenever you recruit a kid that is as high-profile as Walker is, you know there's going to be a number of potential issues keeping him in the mix, especially for over a year, and even more especially when said prospect isn't from the cozy confines of your home state.
For Walker and the Buckeyes, the situation was never simple and, despite numerous attempts by Ohio State's staff to prove to the country's top-ranked running back that he was their focus at running back, he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to explore his options. Of course, on one hand, that's absolutely his right and no one should complain or try to tell him he shouldn't do it, but on the other hand, as it became more evident that he was seriously looking around, Ohio State had to do the same in order to prevent themselves from being left out in the cold. I talked to Walker on Monday, the day before he decommitted, and it was obvious – despite his regular and repeated reassurances publicly – that the relationship between he and the Buckeyes had begun disintegrating even though Ed Warinner visited last week.
"We didn't talk long," Walker said of Warinner's last visit. "He just said hi and that they still want me in their class, and that they got (Antonio Williams) in case they lose me."
From there, Walker wanted to make it clear that he was going to do what he felt was best for him, again, as he should.
"We're both 'the guy,'" Walked said of how the Buckeyes viewed him and Williams. "No one is higher than the other (on their list) when all this recruiting nonsense is over and that paper is signed. I'm gonna do what's best for me."
Walker says he intends on taking official visits to Alabama, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Ohio State, but I'd very surprised if that trip to Columbus happens.
Good luck to Kareem Walker, he's always been good to 11W and we wish him the best.
SIMMONS DELAYING DECISION
Ohio State's 2016 basketball recruiting class has been waiting to hear what Georgia five-star guard Kobi Simmons would do for a while now and unfortunately for Thad Matta's squad, that wait is going to get longer.
2016 G Kobi Simmons has pushed his time line back for commitment. Target is now spring.
— AllMetroHoops (@ehoopsshowcase) November 4, 2015
Simmons has recently seen increased interest from Arizona, but the Buckeyes – along with UNLV and Kentucky – have been the programs of note for a while. What does the delay mean? Is it a good or a bad thing? I suppose that depends on how you look at it. Ohio State currently has no scholarship available for Simmons anyhow, although the Mickey Mitchell situation could end up opening one up depending on how that plays out.
From Bill Landis of Cleveland.com:
There were some reports that Arizona was trying to get back into the mix for Simmons, but his father said the main three of Ohio State, Kentucky and UNLV remains the same. And those programs will have to wait until the spring to see where he goes.
With blueblood programs like Arizona and Kentucky, whose rosters turn over every spring, there's not really a concern about roster spots, but it makes me wonder (read: really, this just a guess) if those schools have let him know there's some uncertainty from their end right now and maybe Simmons wants to see how they adjust their recruiting after the season.
Bottom line: put the Simmons-Interest-O-Meter on the shelf for a few months.
LECOUNTE SHOWS OFF CRAZY ATHLETIC SKILLS
We've talked about him a few times in the past few weeks but as decision day draws nearer for 2017 standout Richard LeCounte, it seems there's always something new to talk about.
Wednesday, it's more about something to look at, and a chance for you all to see exactly why he was the first 2017 prospect Ohio State called Sept. 1 as the recruiting contact rules for juniors allowed them to.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound LeCounte sent me these highlights this afternoon and so I figured I'd share them here.
KIERRE HAWKINS SPOTLIGHT
We spend a lot of time talking about the players who flip, who flop, who can't make a decision about their college choice, because you know, they're intriguing. However, when a guy commits almost a year ago and doesn't make a bunch of noise or clamor for attention, we far too often neglect giving them the space and words they deserve.
Kierre Hawkins, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder from Maple Heights, falls into that category. Wednesday, the fine folks at Scout.com made Hawkins, who committed to the Buckeyes in October of 2014, the subject of their Scout Spotlight.
As you can see from watching Hawkins' highlights, he's got the size and skill to play a number of different positions in college. His frame is college ready, and although he's a bit raw on the field, Hawkins' attitude and team-first personality will make him a fan favorite in Columbus for years to come.
