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.
OHIO STATE HOPING FOR TALENTED TEXAS TRIO
In Ohio State's vaunted 2013 recruiting class, the Buckeyes–led by Tom Herman–had success in areas that they had rarely even tried to recruit before, namely Texas. JT Barrett, Dontre Wilson and Mike Mitchell all hailed from the Lonestar State, landing the Buckeyes a huge trifecta from one of the country's most talent-rich regions. In 2014, they landed offensive lineman Demetrius Knox, but with Herman headed to Houston in 2015, the Buckeyes failed to land a player in Texas in 2015 and 2016. That trend could be reversing course again.
Yes, they've got a commitment from JK Dobbins, the running back–who has not visited Ohio State yet–checks in as the state's No. 8 player, but one source says the Buckeyes are closely watching and involved with two more big-timers from Texas.
"Two guys to keep an eye on," the source said. "Are Jeffrey Okudah and Anthony Hines."
We've talked at length about Okudah in the past. He's Texas' second-ranked player, a five-star recruit nationally and the best safety in the country according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He's listed the Buckeyes as his leader for months, and though Texas and others are surging, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is planning a couple more trips to Ohio, including–he hopes–one this spring.
Anthony Hines is a name that was included in our February story on linebackers that could get an extended look from the Buckeyes. Perhaps the most-offered player in the entire country, Hines is the seventh-ranked player in Texas. He has not visited Ohio State yet, but the need for true middle linebacker may help the Buckeyes' cause. If he doesn't visit, don't pay attention to his recruitment, but if he does, it could move the Buckeyes near to the top of his list.
JAKE MARWEDE, 2017 TIGHT END FROM ILLINOIS, ADDS BUCKEYES OFFER
Ohio State is searching still for a tight end in the 2017 class, and although Cincinnati Moeller's Matt Dotson has an offer and has the Buckeyes in his top group, the Scarlet and Gray aren't being complacent.
Last night, Urban Meyer's team offered Jake Marwede, a three-star prospect from the Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Marwede has all the physical tools necessary to be a big-timer in the Big Ten.
The offer from the Buckeyes is the 22nd for Marwede, who also holds opportunities from Michigan State, Penn State, Nebraska, Pitt, Northwestern, Louisville, Miami and more.
The country's 20th-ranked tight end, who played quarterback until last summer, visited Ohio State yesterday afternoon. His father, Andy, played tight end at Yale.
DAVID SHAW SAYS 7-ON-7 ISN'T WHERE RECRUITING SHOULD HAPPEN
There's no doubt that the rise of 7-on-7 football, much like AAU basketball, has changed the way that recruiting is done, even in states like Ohio where spring football yet exists.
Every weekend there are thousands of players who put on their cleats–and a pair of shorts and a spandex-y t-shirt–and trot around makeshift fields all over America. The hope is that a recruiting analyst/writer will see a big performance and subsequently turn them into a "must-watch" player based on a game that only very slightly resembles actual football. Unlike basketball, which has seen (in some circles) the AAU game cannibalize high schools around the country, football's 7-on-7 circuit remains symbiotic for the most part as coaches, players, colleges and the media work together to raise the profile of recruits everywhere.
Stanford's David Shaw though, isn't yet on board.
Heard David Shaw (Stanford HFC) talk this weekend. He is NOT a big fan of 7v7 in terms of recruiting... pic.twitter.com/PdCTA6hGE5
— Coach Haugh (@CoachKHaugh) March 6, 2016
I am not sure that I necessarily believe Shaw has never watched 7-on-7 film in 10 years at Stanford, but there's certainly value to his message. The true measure of a football player can't be measured in a padless, tackle-less, faux game situation, even if it can help separate the top-notch athletes from the average ones.
How much stock do you put into football played in shorts and t-shirts?
SI TAKES ON FIVE-STARS THAT COULD BE HEADED TO BIG TEN
They don't dabble much in recruiting, but when they do, Sports Illustrated focuses on the biggest names going to the biggest places.
Today they gave their take on three of the nation's top recruits who could, conceivably, end up playing in the Big Ten. The list includes two five-stars that are very high on Ohio State, Trevon Grimes and Joshua Kaindoh.
The article lists no substantial reasoning for their choices, nor does it suggest what schools the players are considering or why. Since you, the well-informed 11W reader, are "in the know," you can make a reasonable deduction.
Speaking of Grimes, the country's second-ranked wide receiver, he's going to be taking questions about his recruitment tonight, if you're so inclined to download a new social media-type app for your smartphone.
For anyone Who wants to talk Recruitment with me, I will on be on @voispot tn at 8pm download it free on AppStore and lets have some fun !
— GrimeTime (@TrevonGrimes7) March 9, 2016
Be advised: Grimes is doing the forum with his close friend Jake Allen, the quarterback at St. Thomas Aquinas who is committed to Florida and because of that, you should expect there to be a bit of a Gator-slant to the event.
