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.
OFFICIAL SEASON
Ohio State has hosted just one official visitor so far this season in Detroit, Michigan, Cass Tech five-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who was on campus for the Oct. 8 game against Indiana. That number will significantly increase with three home dates over the next five weeks, however, starting with this weekend's game against Northwestern.
The Buckeyes will officially host a pair of commits in Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco five-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman four-star defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, marking the first time Davis has been on campus since he made the call in late June.
Garrett, who made it to Columbus for the first time shortly after committing in February, will bring his cousin and teammate Palaie Gaoteote with him.
Me and Ie fly out to HItomorrow can't wait #BeatNorthWestern
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) October 27, 2016
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Gaoteote is considered the top outside linebacker and the No. 29 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds more than 20 offers from schools such as Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA, Utah and Washington.
“Very [excited],” Gaoteote told Eleven Warriors. “[I'm looking forward to] just to being surrounded by the players and coaches and seeing the atmosphere for myself.”
Most prognosticators believe Gaoteote, who will play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game, will ultimately choose the Buckeyes and be reunited to Garrett and teammates Tate Martell and Tyjon Lindsey. He doesn't expect to make a decision anytime soon, however.
"Those guys are trying to push me more to Ohio State," Gaoteote said, noting he doesn't feel any pressure from them to commit. "I just want to be in the best atmosphere as possible."
HELP WANTED IN ZONE 6
Saint Louis, Missouri, Christian Brothers College four-star wideout Kamryn Babb announced on Twitter late Wednesday evening he has accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Blessed and very honored to say I've committed to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game. #314 pic.twitter.com/92Vn3PlD1g
— Kamryn Babb5 (@kamm_o) October 27, 2016
The 6-foot-2, 189-pounder is considered the second-best player in the Show Me State and the No. 84 overall prospect in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 15 offers from programs such as Arkansas, LSU, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Wisconsin.
Though the Buckeyes arguably have one of the top wide receiver hauls in the country for the current recruiting cycle, Babb is the type of athlete that could have an instant impact in Columbus.
He's accounted for 847 yards and 13 touchdowns this season — including 10 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown in a win earlier this month — though he has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury for the last three weeks.
Ohio State offered Babb following a one-day camp in June. He unofficially visited Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska earlier this fall, but hopes to make a return trip to Columbus soon.
FOREVER YOUNG
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Imhotep Charter four-star safety Isheem Young was expected to be among more than 75 top recruits at Penn State's win over Ohio State this past weekend, but was unable to make it when his ride fell through. The trip was supposed to be about the Buckeyes just as much as the host Nittany Lions.
“They are recruiting me real heavy,” Young told Eleven Warriors, noting he talks with Ohio State coaches daily.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is considered the fifth-best safety and the No. 63 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 20 scholarship offers from programs such as Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, North Carolina, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Young has two interceptions for the undefeated Panthers this season.
Interestingly enough, Young could be sharing a defensive backfield at IMG Academy with Ohio State commits Marcus Williamson and Isaiah Pryor right now. He was set to transfer this summer to the Florida-based boarding school to play out the final two years of his high school career, but decided against it to remain closer to his family.
CUE THE BACKING UP TRUCK
Plano, Texas, four-star linebacker Anthony Hines III was set to take his final official visit to Ohio State for this weekend's game against Northwestern, but Land of 10 reports the trip has been pushed back one week.
According to sources close to the program, Hines will now visit the Buckeyes officially for their home game against Nebraska.
The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder is considered the second-best inside linebacker and the No. 88 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He narrowed down his more than 90 scholarship offers to Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU and UCLA in late July.
Hines has already taken four official visits this season, which includes trips to Texas A&M, Penn State, Florida and UCLA. That leaves Columbus as Hines' last stop before he makes a decision on Nov. 29.
There was a point in time where Ohio State was considered the leader for Hines, but trips to Oklahoma and Texas over the summer and the official visit to Texas A&M seemingly have things trending in a different direction. This will be Hines' first time on campus since his three-day trip to Columbus in June, meanwhile, which is why most prognosticators believe he'll wind up elsewhere.
Ohio State has only one linebacker commit in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Pioneer's Antjuan Simmons, and will absolutely have to hit it out of the park next weekend if it wants to land another. Fellow Texan Baron Browning — the second-ranked outside linebacker in the class who is set to announce his decision on the same day as Hines — may also fill that role.
Browning will take his official visit for the Nov. 26 game against Michigan.
