The Hurry Up: 2018 Quarterback Focus, Texas Five-Stars Looking to Visit, 2018 Offensive Tackle Offered

2018 QUARTERBACK RECRUITING HEATING UP

Wednesday, the Buckeyes extended an offer to four-star Georgia quarterback Emory Jones. At 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Jones currently checks in as the nation's second-ranked dual-threat quarterback and has already thrown out the "dream school" label. Crystal ballers have started to take note of the mutual interest between the two parties.   

Tennessee appears to be the stiffest competition right now, but they are also a major player for the nation's top overall prospect, 2018 quarterback Trevor Lawrence. With Jones expected to travel to Columbus this summer and potentially make a decision before the start of his junior campaign, the Buckeyes could have their 2018 quarterback in the not-so-distant future. 

The nation's top dual-threat passer, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania's Phil Jurkovec, is also rumored to be leaning toward the Buckeyes right now. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder is also seriously considering an offer from the Irish, but after last weekend's trip to Columbus, the Buckeyes appear to be out in front. Jurkovec is expected to be in South Bend next week.

In the coming weeks, the Buckeyes will also get a chance to take another look at Oklahoma's Casey Thompson, who visited this spring, and New Jersey prospect Arthur Sitkowski, so the evaluation phase may not be finished.

Regardless of how things pan out, the future at quarterback continues to look quite bright.

LONESTAR DUO LOOKING TO VISIT 

A pair of five-stars from the state of Texas are planning a trip to Columbus for next week.

Jeffrey Okudah, who is arguably the Buckeyes' top remaining defensive back target, will be making the trip with the nation's second-ranked outside linebacker, Kennedale's Baron Browning. They're expected in Ohio on May 20.

Okudah's name has been linked with the Buckeyes for some time now, though getting him back on campus at this point will be absolutely huge. The country's top-ranked safety said he's excited to be on his way back to Columbus.

"I'm excited because I get to take in that environment again," Okudah, who was in Columbus once last summer, said. "It's important because I get to see everything in person and it's part of my last group of trips before a possible decision."

Browning is a name that we haven't talked too much about, primarily due to the thought that he's likely to play his college ball close to home –– he has already decommitted from Baylor. His top 10 list includes the Buckeyes and he says this trip is a big one for him.

"I'm visiting them because they're one of the few schools I have yet to visit in my top 10," Browning told Eleven Warriors. "I'm pretty high on them as well and I like what they're doing there at Ohio State and want to see what they're really about."

Browning, whose godfather is Okudah's grandfather, says he's been talking a bit to Urban Meyer of late and is looking forward to getting to know him better.

"Me and (Urban) Meyer been getting to know each other a little better," Browning said of a specific part of the trip he's eager for. "(We) talk once a week on the phone."

GRIMES READY TO LEAVE RECRUITING BEHIND?

Could the race for five-star Fort Lauderdale, Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes finally be reaching its end? If you're paying attention to this video from the fine folks at Rivals.com, recorded Thursday, then you may draw that conclusion.

Grimes has not been to Ohio State in almost two years but he says that's changing soon. The Buckeyes will camp at St. Thomas on June 16 and the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder told Rivals he'll be returning the favor with a campus visit to Columbus a week later.

He says a decision will only come when he feels comfortable, but that there's no date in mind, just the comfort for he and his family

"I have a pretty good picture painted in my head about Ohio State," Grimes said. "That's why they've been my leader since I was a freshman." 

Is he ready to turn the page and go from highly-recruited to heavy-recruiter?

"I feel like once I commit," Grimes said. "I will turn into a recruiter."

TOP TEXAS TACKLE OFFERED

The Buckeyes look to be set at offensive tackle for 2017. Josh Myers and Jake Moretti are two of the nation's elite, and the staff doesn't appear to be making much of an effort to add another. The class of 2018 is a different story, however, and Thursday the nation's fourth-ranked 2018 tackle earned a Buckeye offer. 

Blessed to receive a offer from the Ohio state university #buckeye @simplyCoachO @coach_bpoe pic.twitter.com/7VGo0TFtZo

— Darrell Simpson (@king_simpson34) May 12, 2016

At 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds, Darrell Simpson already has the look of a top tackle prospect. Georgia, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas A&M, and Baylor have already extended offers, and Ohio State has now joined the fold as well. Tim Beck has spent a lot of time in the Lonestar State since Tom Herman's departure, and you can bet he will be stopping by the hall of Northwest High in Justin, Texas, too.

The Aggies are currently the crystal ball favorites, but Simpson has family in Ohio and the Buckeyes aren't going to go away easily in this race.