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.
WAYNE DAVIS EARNS PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Ohio State 2016 commitment Wayne Davis has managed, thanks in part to his less-than-attention-seeking personality, to stay kind of out of the spotlight throughout the course of his recruitment.
He has preferred, quite refreshingly, to allow his on-the-field exploits do the talking for him and it's paid off.
Today, Davis, the country's 31st-ranked cornerback, was named the Player of the Year in Tidewater, Virginia, adding that honor the Gatorade Player of the Year award he received a few weeks ago.
The explanation for Davis' selection? It appears pretty straightforward.
Ohio State, who has two defensive backs committed in 2016, seems to have made a wise choice with Wayne Davis.
CLARK, HAWKINS' INK MAKING NEWS
Danny Clark, Ohio State's 2017 quarterback commitment, caused a bit of stir awhile back when he revealed his new tattoo. The ink, a beautiful, bright red Block O set against a stone-looking background thing, had a lot of people talking about the craftsmanship of it, while some wondered why in today's everything-can-turn-on-a-dime world of college football recruiting you'd make that sort of body modification almost three years before signing a letter of intent.
But I digress.
Clark's tattoo has apparently sparked the interest of another future Buckeye as Maple Heights' Kierre Hawkins flashed some new ink of his own on Twitter yesterday.
Block 4Life pic.twitter.com/gyOboW3Uzz
— Kierre HAWKINS (@HumbleKing16) December 28, 2015
Let's hope for both Kierre and Danny's sake that a Reuben Foster-esque change of plans doesn't occur before they step foot on campus in Columbus. Foster, if you recall, had the Auburn logo tattooed on his right forearm but flipped his commitment to Alabama two days before signing day in 2013.
Kids these days, am I right?
HASKINS FEEL STILL POSITIVE
There's nary a day that doesn't warrant a Dwayne Haskins update at this point, but–as some have protested these updates because "there's totally no way Haskins will end up at Ohio State"–I've tried to limit them to one or two times a week.
The facts in this case are simple: Haskins is the top target at quarterback for the Buckeyes at this point in their 2016 recruiting efforts and a potential commitment from him would go a long way in helping cement things with Donnie Corley and/or any other number of wide receivers with Ohio State interest. Right now, Haskins is in Florida preparing for the Under-Armour All-American game, where he's been inundated and overwhelmed with questions about his commitment status, his plans for a commitment or decommitment and, in general being asked this by everyone:
So, what is up with that?
Well, their had been some discussion that a potential decision from Haskins could come this Saturday during the football game in Orlando, where he's been for the last week or so (he has family there).
Haskins, at least outwardly according to those in attendance in Orlando, isn't tipping his hand. He's seemingly lukewarm about the Buckeyes to everyone and the discussion has centered around Florida, LSU and now Texas A&M, three teams with some serious holes to fill at quarterback.
But...
The Buckeyes, for their part, believe they're still in excellent position with Haskins, as they have since his visit the weekend of December 11th. The challenge here is now to hold on to that momentum as other schools likely get their shot at the country's sixth-ranked quarterback who–by the way–is still committed (at least publicly) to Maryland.
My crystal ball says Ohio State, and I'm not changing it at this time. Haskins' commitment is one of the bigger outstanding puzzles for a number of teams, and although the "dream school" schtick is worn out and tired, I believe that the Buckeyes and Haskins have much more reciprocal interest than is being let on.
UPDATES FROM UNDER-ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN GAME
With Nick Bosa and Tyler Gerald unable to partake due to injuries, Haskins is without question the one we are keeping tabs on the most. However, there are some of other players worth watching.
We've been saying for some time now that the Buckeyes have virtually no shot at Rashan Gary, and the early reports from Under Armour practices seem to echo that sentiment.
No. 1 Rashan Gary said Michigan, Ole Miss, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, USC, Georgia the top schools still in consideration. Florida FSU outside
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 29, 2015
There were some rumblings that the Greg Schiano hire could put the Buckeyes back in the game with the nation's top-ranked player, but if you are one of those people who has been holding out hope, it's probably time to move on.
The five-star discussed his relationship with Kareem Walker, indicating that his "best friend" was recruiting him to join the New Jersey party that will be coming to Ann Arbor.
Speaking of the Buckeye-turned-Wolverine, Walker didn't have his finest day at practice. 247sports.com analyst Luke Stampini noted that Walker was a bit timid in his play today, while also coughing up the football.
Michigan running back commit Kareem Walker did not have the most impressive day. Walker might have been hobbled by a minor ankle twist he sustained at the start of practice. Walker ran timid at times, but showed some speed by beating the defense to the edge. Walker did have a fumble during 11-on-11. Via
The aforementioned Haskins was listed as one of the top performers on offense for Team Highlight.
Maryland QB commit Dwayne Haskins in drills at @UAFootball #UAAllAmerica practice pic.twitter.com/0xsQ0WeSU6
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 29, 2015
Be sure to check in on the recruiting board as we will have Under Armour updates throughout the week.
