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.
QUARTERBACK CHASE CLOUDY AS EVER?
We've been discussing it for the last few days now, but 2017 Ohio State quarterback commit Danny Clark elected to check out the Crimson Tide's spring game last weekend. Perhaps it's not a big deal that the four-star signal-caller decided to make the trip, but the timing is certainly curious since, as we all know, the Buckeyes were taking part in their annual spring scrimmage as well.
This is the second time Clark has been spotted elsewhere, and both times it has come while another highly-touted quarterback was in Columbus. In late March, he was in East Lansing while five-star quarterback Tate Martell was on Ohio State's campus. According to his father, Clark's visit was a "non-story" that was cleared by Ohio State.
This past weekend's visit to Tuscaloosa is a bit more interesting considering the number of top prospects the Buckeyes hosted during their spring game, including the nation's No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in IMG Academy's Kellen Mond. Right now, Mond's offer status is a little fuzzy – 247Sports is the only site that does indicate that the Buckeyes have done so – but it does sound like a return trip is in the works. He will be in Auburn this weekend checking out Gus Malzahn's Tigers.
There has been chatter of the Buckeyes taking two quarterbacks in this class, though they aren't exactly extending offers right and left. Either way, the lack of Clark's presence at Saturday's spring game has certainly raised some eyebrows.
Switching back to Tate Martell, on Monday he announced that he would be taking all five official visits this fall. No schools were listed, but it's probably safe to assume that the Buckeyes are in a great spot to be one of those five.
Last night, the country's top-ranked dual-threat quarterback took to Twitter to pay homage to a beloved Buckeye ball carrier.
On my @EzekielElliott! #CropTop pic.twitter.com/UAVdzJMXB3
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) April 20, 2016
To make things even more interesting, the Aggies extended a new offer to a 2017 quarterback today. Jack Sears, a three-star from San Clemente, CA, holds offers from Tennessee, UCLA, and now Texas A&M. He's a much different player than Martell, but it would appear that the Aggies are working on a contingency plan in case things go awry with their current commit. The TAMU staff is also set to visit IMG Academy next week where they will meet up with the aforementioned Kellen Mond.
GATORS OFFER DOBBINS
When La Grange, Texas tailback J.K. Dobbins committed to Ohio State, it caught a lot of people off guard. He hadn't even been to Columbus and schools like Texas and Oklahoma were presumed to be out in front. The Buckeye faithful was immediately a bit on edge, thinking that such a commit would be tough to retain.
"It's not that hard to handle anymore," Dobbins said of leaving home. "It's not factor. It's about going to a great program, where I'd be a good fit. (At Ohio State), they've told me they think I'd fit well, and (Tony Alford) is genuine, he seems like he will make me a better man, as well."
Since that time, the nation's fourth-rated all-purpose back has said all the right things about his pledge; especially after making the trip to Columbus earlier this month. Dobbins, along with defensive tackle Haskell Garrett and cornerback Shaun Wade, continue to be the big three to keep an eye on, but right now Dobbins and Garrett appear to be solid with their commitments. Wade, on the other hand, will continue to be a battle with Alabama and the Florida schools.
A few weeks back, the Trojans came calling for the Texas speedster. This week, the Gators extended an offer.
Blessed to receive an offer from the Florida Gators! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/WhYLB6s5Bo
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) April 19, 2016
Sometimes it's actually a bit refreshing to see some of the nation's elite coming after your commitments, no?
2018 TIGHT END ADDS BUCKEYE OFFER
While 2017 tight end recruiting continues to be a guessing game, the Buckeyes have extended an offer to the country's 8th-ranked 2018 prospect at the position. This afternoon, an offer went out to Mutstapha Muhammad, a resident of Missouri City, Texas.
Very Blessed! Just got offered by THE Ohio State University!!! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/fV1a7ujGw9
— Mu$tapha (@MustaphaM_) April 20, 2016
At 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, the sophomore certainly has the size for the position and will most definitely be adding to his frame between now and February of 2018.
It was a big day for the four-star as the Hurricanes also came calling. Muhammad has already put together a heck of an offer list which also includes Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Florida State.
For the Buckeyes, Cincinnati Moeller's Matt Dotson appears to be the lone 2017 target that is garnering interest right now, but it remains to be seen if a tight end will end up in the class. Dotson is coming off a pair of visits to Michigan and Michigan State, and Tennessee is also in the picture. A lot of this will depend on how hard the Buckeyes elect to push for the position, and they may not have a grasp on that until they get a look at Jake Hausmann, Luke Farrell, and Kierre Hawkins when they arrive this summer.
HONIGFORD VISITS COLUMBUS, HEARS FROM MICHIGAN
When it comes to in-state prospects and offers, Joel Honigford continues to have one of the more impressive lists. While that list currently doesn't feature the Buckeyes, schools like Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Auburn have all come calling for the 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle. Yesterday, the Wolverines became the most recent school to throw their hat into the ring.
Honigford appears to be the victim of "too much of a good thing." The Buckeyes landed early commitments from Josh Myers and Jake Moretti – two of the nation's top tackles – and that may be preventing the in-state standout from earning an offer of his own. It remains to be seen what the Buckeyes are looking to add to the offensive line, but they may be seeking more of an interior lineman or could potentially be done at the position already.
The Sugarcreek (Garaway) three-star was in Columbus this past Friday and spoke to Scout.com's Bill Greene about his future plans ($):
"I am going to go work out for Ohio State at camp, but it's not a life or death situation for me because I have so many great offers right now," Honigford explained. "I'm going to go there and see if I have a shot at getting offered, and it would be nice to have that opportunity." Via
Honigford also mentioned that he plans to make a decision before the start of his senior season.
LARRY JOHNSON TALKS BOSA'S REHAB
Our very own Eric Seger had the chance to talk with Larry Johnson today, and incoming freshman Nick Bosa was naturally a hot topic of discussion. While we all are anxiously awaiting the five-star defensive end's arrival, the Buckeyes' defensive line coach didn't hold back on his feelings on the young Bosa.
When asked how anxious he is for him to arrive:
Very anxious (why?). The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. You know that what he has that is in there. I've had a chance to work with Nicky at camps, I've spent some time with him, talked to him, we've really engaged. I think he has a chance to be a special player.
In discussing the progress with his rehab:
He is so far ahead right now with his knee, it's ridiculous. I think the doctor is even surprised by how far ahead he is. So now the thing is kind of slow him down, get him in here in June, don't push him too fast and the idea is to get him to camp in August healthy and see where it goes from there.
I think it's safe to say that we should be quite excited about this one, folks.
BIRM WATCH
Unconfirmed reports from Twitter Dot Com appear to indicate that Birm was spotted on South Beach with Anna Kendrick – potentially even holding hands. It also sounds like he will be sticking around through Saturday to take part in some tryouts with the Miami Dolphins.
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