The Hurry Up: Another 2018 Quarterback to Watch, Okudah, Lindsey Talk Buckeyes with Rivals

INTRODUCING 2018 QUARTERBACK EMORY JONES

We've talked about the large number of potential 2018 quarterbacks for the Buckeyes, but that list is ever-growing, especially as we enter the 2016 spring evaluation portion of the recruiting calendar.

One new name to pay attention to is Emory Jones, a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder from Franklin, Georgia. This past weekend in Baltimore, Jones impressed everyone in attendance at the Rivals.com Quarterback Challenge Presented by Under Armour:

He took home the Strongest Arm award for throwing a 65-yard pass in the long toss competition, but his performance was impressive for more reasons than just his arm strength. Jones spins a beautiful football and has the ability to hit all points on the field.

Last weekend, Jones was in Knoxville, Tennessee visiting the Volunteers, a school that has been considered the runaway leader for his services for months, and where many expected him to issue a commitment during the trip. He didn't, thanks in part–according to this interview with Rivals' Mike Farrell, because Ohio State and others have begun talks with him and he wanted to slow things down.

The country's 41st-ranked player in 2018 has not been to Ohio State yet, but he told 11W that he'll be seeing them soon.

"Tim Beck got in touch with my coach," Jones, who informed Farrell that Ohio State was his "dream school," told Eleven Warriors. "They're coming to see me May 9th."

Thanks in part to the power of television–and the power of video games that helped Jones familiarize himself with the Buckeyes–the "dream school" feels comfortable already.

"I've always loved the school itself, and I feel like I fit in really well with the offense," Jones said when asked what he likes about Ohio State today. "I'm comfortable talking to the coaches."

It's uncertain if a Buckeye offer is coming his way, but Jones did tell 11W that he'd be visiting Ohio State either way this summer. 

OKUDAH STILL FEELING BUCKEYES, CONNECTION TO SCHIANO PLAYING PIVOTAL ROLE

We've said it a thousand times: the Buckeyes are in a very good position with Grand Prairie, Texas defensive back Jeffrey Okudah. The country's top-ranked safety has not been to Ohio since last summer but intends on visiting at least one time this upcoming summer as he prepares for his senior year of high school.

Also in Baltimore this weekend, Okudah talked with the folks at Rivals about the Buckeyes and the increasing role that new defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has played in his recruitment. Okudah is originally from New Jersey, so he's familiar with the former Rutgers' head coach, an important piece of the puzzle as Schiano replaced the current Rutgers' head coach, Chris Ash, who was instrumental in building Ohio State's lead to begin with.

Okudah told Rivals he intends to take official visits this fall, and that right now there are no schools that he's definitely decided on. As for the Buckeyes, he was glowing in his praise.

"The tradition at Ohio State," Okudah told Rivals. "It's just a surreal atmosphere. The coaching staff, Coach Meyer wins a lot of games. Coach Schiano, a former head coach, I know he can develop me and get me to the next level."

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Okudah said teams see him playing a number of spots in their defensive backfield.

"That's the thing we're going to sit down and talk to coaching staffs," he said of his future position. "Some schools are talking about kind of having a Jalen Ramsey type of role, playing everywhere in the secondary."

The role he'd play at Ohio State is a key component for Okudah's next visit to Columbus. He's talented and versatile enough to play cornerback or safety, or a hybrid of the two a la Vonn Bell. When you're a player with as many options as Okudah has, it's important to feel sure about what you'll be doing.

LINDSEY'S RECRUITMENT WILL SEE OFFICIAL VISITS IT APPEARS

Apparently this evening's version of The Hurry Up is brought to you courtesy of Rivals.com because their event in Baltimore this past weekend serves once more as the backdrop for our next segment. The ever-curious case of Corona (Centennial), California wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, who took part in the iLLSPEED (whatever the hell that is) event in Charm City.

The five-star prospect visited Ohio State for the first time at the end of March and the trip to Columbus was a major talking point during his interview. He's told the media via Twitter following the release of his Top 10 that he was going to stop doing interviews, but being at the Rivals event he was kind of, well, forced to talk.

"Urban Meyer told me that if I wanted to be a national champion, a top draft pick and a Heisman candidate," Lindsey told Rivals. "Come (to Ohio State.)"

Lindsey's family is from Ohio, and he played up the family reasons for heading to visit though visiting the Buckeyes has been a top priority of his for months.

"What really stood out," Lindsey said. "Was Ohio as a state. That's where my family originates from, and I was mainly out there visiting my family members, such as my sister and my little niece. It was kind of a family trip and I went out there and visited Ohio State."

Lindsey also told Rivals that he intends to make official visits this fall, but that he won't wait until signing day to make a choice. He told Scout.com that he'll definitely make an official visit to Nebraska and it's a safe bet that schools like Ohio State and Oregon will get them as well. Tennessee, Texas A&M, Michigan, Notre Dame and Alabama will duke it out for the rights to the others. 

Now, the issue here is that sources have told me Lindsey could commit this summer, so that would definitely lead to an interesting few months leading up to signing day if he's committed and making visits. 

My money is still on Ohio State, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if, despite saying otherwise, Lindsey commits this summer. 

COACHES ON THE ROAD

As mentioned above, we're in the Spring Evaluation Period of recruiting and with that, Ohio State coaches are back on the road checking out prospects all over the US of A.

While it's uncertain where every coach set down his Buckeye emblazoned jacket today, there are some clues made available to us thanks to the wonder of social media.

Ohio State quarterback coach Tim Beck was in the fertile fields of Texas.

Searching for the next Great Buckeye !!!#DFW #Buckeyeseverywhere pic.twitter.com/qb4BERDaYH

— Tim Beck (@Coachtimbeck) April 25, 2016

The Buckeyes are all over the Lonestar State right now, targeting players like defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, the aforementioned Okudah, 2017 commitment JK Dobbins and even TCU quarterback commitment Shawn Robinson–now at DeSoto High School–though it's unclear which of these players received a visit today.

Zach Smith is not on the road this week, and I'm not sure where Tony Alford went, though south and east is always a good guess as he looks to keep things hot with running back Cam Akers.

Ed Warinner was in Northeast Ohio today, and he stopped to see Garaway's Joel Honigford, among others. The Sugarcreek native has recently added an offer from Michigan, but according to sources he'll be delaying any decision until after camping with Ohio State in June.

Greg Schiano was in California, and he stopped at Calabasas, seeing Darnay Holmes among others. Holmes had planned to visit Ohio State for their spring game two weeks ago but ended up elsewhere, though he still plans on a visit in the summer for Friday Night Lights. He will no longer make a June 23rd commitment as planned, according to an interview with Scout.com.

Finally, #TheKingofHashtags, Kerry Coombs, was back in his adopted home of Michigan.

Planting flags all over TSUN today! #receptionfromhighschoolsuphereistremendous #lotoffutureBuckeyestars(Youknowwhotheyare)alreadyontheteam

— Kerry Coombs (@OsuCoachCoombs) April 25, 2016

Coombs stopped at Detroit Cass Tech, where he saw Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jaylen Kelly-Powell among others, as well as Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School, where he checked in on Ohio State pledge Antjuan Simmons.