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.
VICTOR SAYS BUCKEYES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE
Following Saturday's Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, I had a chance to talk with Coconut Creek, Florida, wide receiver Binjimen Victor on the field. Victor, the country's eighth-ranked wide receiver had a quiet week in Texas but still remains at the top of the board when it comes to Ohio State's wide receiver recruiting.
"The Buckeyes are in a good spot," Victor told 11W. "I talk to them all the time. I wanted to try and get up there again before signing day."
While another unofficial visit to Columbus seems unlikely, the 6-foot-4, 175-pounder will make two more official visits, to Florida and Tennessee, but he says that right now every school recruiting him is still in the mix. That includes Miami and West Virginia.
With Ohio State's miss on Donnie Corley, it stands that Victor, who has been a major target for the Buckeyes for months, would be a priority for Urban Meyer, who had personally gotten involved in Corley's recruitment. To this point, Meyer has stayed relatively hands-off with Victor, but if Ohio State wants him, he's likely to change that.
There are plenty of talented wide receivers throughout the country, but few have Victor's upside, although lackluster performances this past week in Texas may result in a rankings drop.
CALLAWAY HEARING FROM COOMBS, INTERESTED IN BUCKEYES
One of the players that caught my eye the most in Texas, during the East squad's practices, was Warner Robins, Georgia, athlete Marquez Callaway. Callaway, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound four-star prospect, has started hearing from the Buckeyes and that may have been at the behest of early-enrollee Austin Mack, who was impressed by Callaway during the early part of last week. Mack has been talking about Ohio State and it's got Callaway's interest.
"Austin has told me great things about (Ohio State) and how they could use up there," Callaway told Eleven Warriors. "I've talked to Coach (Kerry Coombs) he says they could use me but he doesn't know which position for sure."
Callaway, who has offers from 16 schools, has visited only a couple to this point, including Notre Dame, says he's not only interested in staying in the SEC footprint, but will go wherever the right fit may be.
"Whichever school I feel like it would be the best fit for me and I think would get me to where I want to go, I'll go there," Callaway said. "Regardless of what conference they're in. I have two official visits left, I'm trying to figure out when I can take them."
If the Buckeyes want to be one of them, they'll have to move quickly. Callaway says he'll talk to Coombs again and see what's what.
"I'm going to call him soon," Callaway said of Kerry Coombs."We can talk and take it from there."
JONAH MORRIS NARROWS HIS LIST
With three weeks until signing day, the hours are getting thin for a number of college-ready stars that have yet to make their decisions known. One of the players who fits that mold is Akron Archbishop Hoban athlete Jonah Morris, a former Michigan State commitment, and today he narrowed his list to what appears to be four final schools.
Down to my top 4 schools! So excited to get closer and closer. pic.twitter.com/tesLgdIe8Y
— Thee Jonah Morris (@Jumpmane22) January 10, 2016
The Buckeyes, as you see, are on the list. The question right now is whether they should be, but their inclusion would certainly point to at least a mild involvement with Morris still. He did visit the school for a practice in early December and confirmed with Eleven Warriors on Sunday that he plans to make an official visit with the Buckeyes this coming weekend.
Truthfully, right now, it's hard to know what Morris' role or spot in Ohio State's 2016 class could be, but the three-star prospect says he's been in contact recently with Urban Meyer, Mark Pantoni and Zach Smith, which would indicate that perhaps a re-evaluation of Morris' ability to play wide receiver is happening.
Morris is one of a handful of players making an official visit next weekend as the dead period comes to an end in a few days. According to Morris, he'll try and get a college choice made on Jan. 25.
KEANDRE JONES HIGHLIGHTS ARE RIDICULOUS
Although he's not set a date for a visit to Ohio State, the Buckeyes continue to gauge the interest of Maryland commitment Keandre Jones, a four-star linebacker who committed to the Terrapins in December of 2014.
Jones is reportedly still considering Urban Meyer's former team (Florida) and his current one. If you watch his highlight tape you'll see good reason he's ranked as the country's eighth-best outside linebacker.
If Ohio State can reel in Dwayne Haskins Jr. don't be surprised if there's a little push to bring Jones in for a late January official visit.
