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.
TEXAS-SIZED PANCAKE
Due to tight scholarship numbers, Ohio State will likely end up with only three offensive lineman in the current cycle. The staff has, however, already made an impression on one of the country's top lineman from the class of 2018, Texas' Darrell Simpson.
“Things are going great,” Simpson told Eleven Warriors. “I keep in touch [and] usually call once a week.”
The 6-foot-7, 332-pounder usually speaks with offensive coordinator Tim Beck, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and head coach Urban Meyer.
“I [want to] get comfortable with them so when we do go up there, we can hang and just talk,” he said.
Simpson was offered a scholarship in May, and visited Columbus for a one-day positional camp in June. He's not sure when he'll make it back to campus, but will have a front row seat for the Buckeyes' tilt with Oklahoma in September.
Considered the No. 11 offensive tackle in his class and the No. 58 player overall, Simpson has 16 scholarship offers from schools like Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M.
He said Ohio State has a leg up on its competition for a few reasons, though.
“They just have a good vibe going, and they show they care about their team just like a family,” Simpson said.
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER OFFER
Five-star athlete Xavier Williams took to Twitter last night to announce that he received an offer from Ohio State. The 6-foot, 180-pounder from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, has more than 30 offers from top schools all over the country.
Extremely Blessed To Receive a Offer From Ohio State University #Zone6 #Shhhhh @RyanBartow @HamiltonESPN pic.twitter.com/rmAtY5Kkjp
— Xavier Williams (@zayborghini_6) August 3, 2016
Williams is considered the sixth-best prospect in the state of Florida and No. 28 player overall in the Class of 2018, according to 247Sports Composite. He recently joined three other Ohio State targets — safety Jaiden Woodbey, Richard Gouraige and Jaelen Gill — in earning his fifth star.
Williams is eyeing a visit to Columbus next summer.
OUT OF NOWHERE
One player who benefited the most from 247Sports' initial rankings for the Class of 2019 is Saint Simons Islands, Georgia, wide receiver Jashawn Sheffield. The top-ranked wide receiver in the cycle announced on Twitter Thursday afternoon that Ohio State had offered him a scholarship.
O-H-I-O blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State Univeristy. pic.twitter.com/Lf2ltDGHhn
— Jashawn Sheffield (@Jashawnsheff) August 4, 2016
“I've been begging [Frederica Academy assistant coach Alex] Mathis to get in contact with them because I wanted to visit this summer, and it never came [to fruition],” Sheffield told Eleven Warriors. “The rankings came out, and it just happened. It's pretty cool.
“Honestly, today is the first time I talked to them,” he continued. “They just want me on campus.”
Sheffield is hoping to make it to Columbus for a game this fall.
“It means a lot,” he said of the offer. “I've always been a fan, so I'm excited.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore-to-be now has 15 offers, but said that Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Miami have shown the most interest.
ANOTHER ONE
On Thursday, Ohio State became the 19th school to offer Concord, North Carolina, defensive tackle Rick Sandidge.
Congrats to @rickyo_90 on his offer from @OhioStateFB @OSUCoachMeyer @OSUCoachSchiano @R2X_Rushmen @_CHSathletics pic.twitter.com/jsObkGWQir
— Concord Spider FB (@CHSspiderFB) August 4, 2016
The the 6-foot-5, 273-pound Sandidge recently visited Alabama, at which time he told BamaOnLine ($) that he doesn't get too excited about any single offer.
“I treat all my offers the same,” he said. “It's just another motivation that I have to get better to where I can play at that level.”
Sandidge is considered by 247Sports Composite rankings to be the eighth-ranked defensive tackle and No. 51 overall player in his class.
HOT PURSUIT
Five-star cornerback Derrik Allen has been playing at the highest level of Georgia High School football since his freshman year, and as a result, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound rising junior from Marietta has racked up quite the impressive scholarship list.
Though Allen's suitors include Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Miami, Michigan and Michigan State, he recently told DawgNation that Georgia and Ohio State are pursuing him the hardest.
5-star CB Derrik Allen feels Ohio State and Georgia are pursuing him the hardest: https://t.co/QGCdU2MD5X pic.twitter.com/39OQaJHgQz
— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) August 3, 2016
He recently spoke on the phone with the entire Ohio State defensive staff. Allen called in and the coaches passed the phone around. He estimated he spoke to at least 15 coaches. - Jeff Sentell of DawgNation
Allen, who is considered the second-best cornerback and No. 21 player overall n the Class of 2018, will make an unofficial visit to Columbus when the Buckeyes play Nebraska on Nov. 5.
