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.
PRYOR TO IMG, MORE FOLLOWING?
There has been much written about Bradenton, Florida's IMG Academy here and everywhere else in the last year-plus, but the Ascenders' football program–love them or hate them–continues to be very appealing to many of the nation's best players. Two of Ohio State's early-enrollees in their 2016 class (Tyler Gerald and Malik Barrow) transferred to IMG for their final high school seasons and that looks like it's going to be the case for 2017's class as well.
On Wednesday, Lawrenceville, Georgia, defensive back Isaiah Pryor announced he'd be leaving Archer High School and heading to IMG.
“We made the decision to better things for Isaiah,” said the elder Pryor. “He will get better every day and it will prepare him for the next level. The play a national schedule and it will allow him to improve as a football player. More importantly, it’s a great fit academically. They have Ivy League academics and he will fit in well with his 3.7 grade point average.”
Pryor's decision is finalized, but from what I'm hearing there is another 2017 Buckeye commit (perhaps two more) that could end up in Florida with him.
There's no doubt that IMG does a great job getting players ready for the experience of college, they've done an excellent job in a short amount of time proving to be on the elite prep schools in the country.
MAXPREPS 2016 ALL-AMERICANS
On Thursday, we listed the junior and sophomore All-Americans, as selected by MaxPreps.com, that have Ohio State interest/ties. Friday, the All-Americans across that classes were released, and we'll take a look at those names, which includes Ohio State commitment Wayne Davis.
The MaxPreps player of the year is Buford, Georgia defensive tackle Derrick Brown, one of the most intimidating players here in San Antonio.
Here are some of the other All-Americans that you may have heard about.
First Team
Najee Harris • Antioch, California • RB
Keishaun Sims • Massillon, Ohio • RB
Donnie Corley, Jr. • Detroit, Michigan • WR
Liam Eichenberg • Cleveland, Ohio • OL
Rashard Lawrence • Monroe, Louisiana • DL
Wayne Davis • Norfolk, Virginia • DB
Jordan Fuller • Old Tappan, New Jersey • DB
Damar Hamlin • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • DB
Second Team
Tommy Kraemer • Cincinnati, Ohio • OL
Josh Myers • Miamisburg, Ohio • OL
Rashan Gary • Paramus, New Jersey • DL
Jonah Morris • Akron, Ohio • LB
EVANS SAY THANKS BUT NO THANKS
Thursday I posited it unlikely that Chris Evans, the Michigan commitment recently offered by Ohio State, would ever visit the Buckeyes. Evans all but confirmed that on Twitter, Friday, deciding, it seems, to stick with the Wolverines rather than take one last look around.
Those who stay will be Champions! #GoBlue
— Chris Evans (@Kidnplay_abc123) January 8, 2016
Thankful and Grateful for the offer but my home is Michigan!
— Chris Evans (@Kidnplay_abc123) January 8, 2016
Evans, who the Buckeyes were considering at defensive back, is just one of a handful of new offers and interests as they look for help in a suddenly NFL-depleted secondary.
NEW 2017 DEFENSIVE TACKLE OFFER
Ohio State has one committed defensive tackle in the 2017 class, but they're working hard to find a couple more. Yesterday, they offered Emmanuel McNeil, a 6-foot-3, 280-pounder from Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Another offer from Ohio state today
— Eazy E (@Eazy_Money_) January 7, 2016
McNeil has blown up lately, adding offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU and others in the recruiting dead period.
He's a teammate of 2017 Ohio State offer, offensive lineman Tony Gray at Central Gwinnett High School, the alma mater of former Buckeyes' linebacker Trey Johnson.
STEPHON TAYLOR FINAL FIVE: NO BUCKEYES
As the 2016 defensive tackle search continues to take a number of twists and turns, one player that the Buckeyes had begun to look into a bit has narrowed his list and Ohio State isn't on it.
Stephon Taylor, a four-star defensive tackle from New Orleans, wasn't much in the way of a realistic target for the Buckeyes but his cut-down list illustrates that a bit more clearly.
@DemetricDWarren @nolaprep #HookEm #Noles #OUDNA #GeauxTigers #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/oVL8zeJHxV
— stephon taylor (@lah_bama) January 7, 2016
That's not to say Taylor couldn't impact Ohio State, of course. As one of a handful of big-time defensive lineman from Louisiana still considering LSU, the Tigers may have to make a decision soon on how many they could land. It's reasonable to conclude that they'll hold a spot for Rashard Lawrence regardless, but with the five-star reportedly making a decision in the next week, Ohio State may be hoping the Monroe, Louisiana, star sees the opportunity for impact in Columbus.
OHIO STADIUM EARNS HIGH MARKS AMONG ARMY ALL-AMERICANS
If you, as a Buckeye fan, have ever wondered "How can I help?" Ohio State's recruiting efforts, this should help provide some definitive answers.
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) January 8, 2016
That survey, while certainly small, was from a group of US Army All-Americans in San Antonio this week, and asked by 247Sports.com. The Buckeyes, along with Michigan, tied for the lead in the "best atmosphere" as voted on by recruits.
From BTN.com:
The popular recruiting website, 247 Sports.com, conducted a poll of recruits at the high school all-star game. A total of 40 recruits were asked to choose the best game day atmosphere, and 10 of them went with OSU.
Now, there are more Buckeye commits in attendance in San Antonio than any other school and it's impossible to know exactly who was polled, so take it with a grain of salt.
What this kind of thing shows, however, is that as a fan, if you want to make a difference, the way to do it is by being as loud and supportive as you possibly can when the Buckeyes take the field at Ohio Stadium. Not by being this guy.
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) January 7, 2016
