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.
SHAUN WADE GETS BUCKEYE VISITORS, MAY BE IN COLUMBUS SOON
Ohio State continues their tireless pursuit of five-star cornerback Shaun Wade, who has been committed to the Buckeyes since January of 2015. Wade, the country's third-ranked cornerback and 13th-ranked overall 2017 prospect, had a few Ohio State visitors today.
Back on the road again! Planting flags in Jacksonville all day today! #bringingthebestinthesouthtothenorth #GoBucks!
— Kerry Coombs (@OsuCoachCoombs) May 10, 2016
"Tim Beck and (Kerry Coombs) should be at the school today," Randy Wade, Shaun's father told 11W.
Ohio State is hoping to hold on to Wade, who's been all over the south this spring seeing schools like Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and others. There's a chance the Buckeyes could be getting a surprise visit within the next ten days, which he shared with 11W readers last night.
To get Wade on campus is a big thing at this point. Ohio State knows they've got a fight on their hands and though campus visits are hardly the only thing that matters, getting family together and more comfortable with the Buckeyes' staff, the academics, the facilities and more goes a long way towards cementing a commitment.
Wade is the only one of the three players who committed to the Buckeyes on the day of their 2015 national championship game that still has a shot to end up at Ohio State.
JAMYEST WILLIAMS IMPRESSED BY OHIO STATE STAFF
Four-star defensive back Jamyest Williams was one of the undeniable stars of this past weekend's Nike camp in Columbus. Following the camp, Eric Seger caught up with Williams about his recruitment and what's he looking for.
"Coaches change every year, they might get a bigger deal somewhere else. You never know," Williams said. "I just want to get that home feeling so I can be comfortable. So I just won't be there for the coaches."
Still, it's the coaches that can make a difference in a recruitment.
"My relationship is very good with Coach Meyer and Coach Coombs. I just want to get up to Ohio State (Saturday) and see if I get that home feeling," Williams said. "Because I talk to the coaches all the time. I know the scheme and what they do and stuff. I just want to see if I get that feeling, see if I like it."
Following his visit, Williams came away very impressed by the Scarlet and Gray.
"It was my first time there," Williams told 11W following the trip. "It was productive."
Williams has seen all the biggest programs from all around the SEC and the country's 48th-ranked player said he came away thinking about the Buckeyes' impressive focus.
"What I noticed was just how it's strictly business as far as what the expect out of the guys they recruit," Williams said. "They know who they want and they only want the best."
Kerry Coombs is expected to visit Grayson High School and Williams this week.
TODD SIBLEY PLANNING A BUSY SUMMER
Though he's still committed to the Buckeyes, Todd Sibley, Jr. is preparing for a busy summer as he looks for a potential option outside of Columbus. Ohio State, as has been reported, informed Sibley that he'd need to take a grayshirt year – enrolling six months later than his class – if he wants to end up a Buckeye, and he's considering that option along with all others.
From TodaysU.com:
“I currently am still committed to Ohio State, but I am looking around,” Sibley said. “I did go to the spring game at Michigan State and some colleges have been stopping by to talk to me. I do plan on scheduling more visits with colleges. Signing Day is really far away and anything could happen, but I want to make sure there is a plan B and a plan C.”
Sibley has a few schools he'd like to check out.
“I think I will definitely visit Pitt,” Sibley said. “I’m thinking about Penn State and Mizzou, Notre Dame, Michigan, Virginia and Indiana.”
Whatever happens with Sibley, he's continued to represent himself well and handle everything with nothing but class, despite a difficult situation. He's an easy kid to root for.
BUCKEYES BUILDING A WINNER AND THE 2017 CLASS IS ANXIOUS TO STEP UP
Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class isn't shying away from the pressure of being the best. In fact, they're pushing the envelope to make sure they're the next wave of major success for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.
From BleacherReport.com:
"As guys leave the program, younger players have to step up big-time and take care of business," (Josh) Myers said. "That's how you maintain success, and we've seen that happen every year in Columbus."
Myers is the highest-ranked player in Ohio State's class and has emerged as one of the silent leaders in a group that is actively pursuing the best of the best. Danny Clark has long been one of the vocal leaders and he's not backing down from that stance.
"If you're playing a backyard football game, you're going to get the best players in your neighborhood," (Danny Clark) said. "You don't want to go into a game with scrubs. We find kids with serious talent, and we go after them. That's all there is to it."
Four-star athlete Brendon White says they're ready to come in and compete.
"When we get to campus and actually start practicing, people are going to see we're ready to chase championships," White said. "That's when it's time for us to come together, work hard and find out where this journey takes us."
While the 2017 group may end up a bit smaller than anticipated, they've got big, big plans.
CAROLINA LOVE
Ohio State extended new offers to two 2018 prospects today from the Carolinas.
The first was to 6-foot-6, 220-pound Clemmons, North Carolina defensive end KJ Henry; the second went out to defensive tackle Josh Belk, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder from Richburg, South Carolina.
Henry, from West Forsyth High School, is the country's 37th-ranked player in 2018 and has offers from Alabama, Clemson and 20 others.
Belk has gone a bit under-the-radar to this point, but he adds the Buckeyes to Clemson, Florida State, South Carolina, LSU and others so he's clearly started to blow up.
Ohio State was able to go into the Palmetto State and land defensive tackle Michael Hill in the 2013 class, but as Clemson continues to surge, it's getting harder and harder to make an impact in South Carolina.
