The Hurry Up is your nightly dose of updates from the Ohio State football recruiting trail, keeping tabs on the latest from commits and targets from around the country.
ALL-PURPOSE BACK EXPECTS OFFERS TO START ROLLING IN
After an impressive freshman season in which he rushed for 1,865 yards and 24 touchdowns for North Stafford, Virginia, High School, Devyn Ford has begun reeling in offers from some of the top programs in the country. Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech have already offered Ford, and Ohio State followed suit on Tuesday evening.
Congratulations to Devyn Ford! Ohio State University officially offered Devyn tonight. Devyn is the first RB in... https://t.co/1UrfbAL91S
— NSHS Football (@NSWolverines) August 3, 2016
The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder is the No. 12 overall prospect 247Sports' initial Top 100 for the Class of 2019, which were released earlier today.
“It's a big thing [to get an offer from Ohio State],” Ford told Eleven Warriors. “It means other schools start rolling in, too.”
Ford is in no rush to make a decision with three years left of high school, but that hasn't stopped Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson from checking in a couple times.
“[He wants me to] keep on my grind through the football season,” he said.
Ford said he will consider a number of factors — including distance — when making his choice. He does, however, think that he would fit Ohio State's offensive scheme well.
“My playing style is a zone running back who can pick and choose a hole to fit,” said Ford, also noting how well he catches the ball out of the backfield. “It would fit good with the spread offense they plan.”
Ford had 424 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the Wolverines last season.
ELITE CORNER EYES OHIO STATE OFFICIAL VISIT, BLASTS MICHIGAN
Clairton, Pennsylvania, four-star cornerback Lamont Wade narrowed down his college choices to eight programs late last week, and Ohio State made the cut with Alabama, Mississippi State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, West Virginia and UCLA.
Though there is some concern that he won't be able to enroll early at Ohio State, Wade's father shared with 247Sports that his son will make an official visit to Columbus before making a decision on Dec. 16.
“Without a doubt, one of his official visits will be Ohio State,” Carlton Wade said. “We have two games on Saturdays, so we're trying to figure things out. Ohio State is talking about when they play Michigan [on Nov. 26] and Nebraska [Nov. 5].”
The eighth-ranked cornerback and No. 58 overall prospect in the Class of 2018 according to 247Sports Composite, Wade was recently named a MaxPrep All-American.
Meanwhile, if you're wondering why Michigan didn't make Wade's Top 8, he expanded upon that today via Twitter.
Michigan was my dreammmmm school until they told me I was a second level player n needed to come to camp to get an offer
— 38Savage (@Goony_38) August 3, 2016
Thing is, this was before I was a 5 and I didn't go to camp, then after I blew up a bit they offered and tried to act like that wasn't said
— 38Savage (@Goony_38) August 3, 2016
Back then, they didn't want me...
PIPELINE FROM BRADENTON TO COLUMBUS
Ohio State has already locked down a pair of prospects from IMG Academy in defensive backs Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson, but the Buckeyes aren't done recruiting the one of the top high school programs in the country. Five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent — the son of former NFL cornerback Troy Vincent — has expressed serious interest in Ohio State since the staff offered him a scholarship in March 2015, which he reaffirmed during IMG's Media Day.
“Ohio State is my leader, and then it's Florida State right after them,” Vincent told Noles247 ($). “I just enjoy being around coach [Urban] Meyer and coach [Larry] Johnson. We have a great relationship. Coach Johnson also recruited my older brother [Troy Jr.], so I've known him for a while now.”
Vincent, who is considered the No. 1 overall player at his position for the Class of 2018, has visited Columbus three times. He is hoping to make it back for a game this fall.
“I would love to be able to see Ohio State, FSU, Michigan and Florida games this season,” Vincent said. “That would be great.”
One hundred percent of 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions have the Baltimore, Maryland, native ending up with the Buckeyes, though much can happen in the next 18 months.
Meanwhile, Vincent's teammate Dylan Moses remains on track to take his first official visit to Columbus when Ohio State plays host to Michigan.
THE Official Fall '16 Tour pic.twitter.com/plkSQ2UBCg
— King oses (@Dylan1Moses_) June 28, 2016
The former LSU commit told Landof10's Jeremy Birmingham that he's excited to see what the Buckeyes have to offer.
“I see how big The Game is on TV,” Moses said. “I want to see it up close and personal and see how great it is, being my first experience at Ohio State. I want to see how the crowd is because I've heard the stadium is really big. I know it will be a great experience.”
The second-ranked player in the Class of 2017, Moses has 40 offers from all over the country. He plans to make a verbal commitment in December and enroll shortly thereafter.
INITIAL SOPHOMORE RANKINGS PACKED WITH POTENTIAL BUCKEYES
On Wednesday, 247Sports revealed its initial ranking of the top 100 prospects for the Class of 2019. Though Ohio State is awaiting its first pledge from the cycle, six prospects to whom the Buckeyes have offered scholarships are listed.
Listed as the second-best player overall, Loganville, Georgia, linebacker Owen Pappoe has more than 30 scholarship offers. Ohio State offered the 6-foot, 197-pounder in June.
Coming in at No. 11 overall is Marietta, Georgia, wide receiver Dominick Blaylock. The Buckeyes last week became the 22nd school to offer Blaylock, who is the son of former NBA All-Star Mookie Blaylock.
The above mentioned Devyn Ford is No. 12 overall, while Belleville, Michigan, offensive lineman Devontae Dobbs checks in at No. 14. Dobbs earned a scholarship following his workout at Friday Night Lights.
The same goes for defensive end Antonio Alfano, who appears at No. 70 overall. The Rahway, New Jersey, product locked down the offer during his first visit to Columbus.
Three prospects from the state of Ohio also made the initial Top 100, including Akron Hoban offensive lineman Nolan Rumler (No. 40 overall); Massillon Washington linebacker Jamir Thomas (No. 56); and dual-threat quarterback Andre Gordon (No. 68).
