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.
STIPULATIONS
One week ago today, Jacksonville, Florida, Trinity Christian five-star cornerback Shaun Wade ended months of speculation about his future and reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State. But had he waited to announce his decision until the U.S. Army All-American Bowl instead, things may have gone in a different direction.
An Army Bowl spokesperson told Eleven Warriors only uncommitted prospects are allowed to announce their college decision during the game, which means Wade would have been forced to decommit from Ohio State beforehand.
Of course Wade could have picked the Buckeyes all over again, but why go through all of the hassle to stick with the status quo?
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl will still be full of drama, nonetheless, as Ohio State defensive back targets Jeffrey Okudah, Darnay Holmes and Bubba Bolden will all make their college decisions during the game. It will be televised live on NBC at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2017.
DOING IT FOR CLICKS?
Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco five-star offensive tackle Wyatt Davis has given no indication his pledge to Ohio State is wavering, yet message board rumors have begun to surface about a potential flip to USC.
“Those rumors aren't true,” Davis told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Davis is considered the top-rated offensive guard and No. 15 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He committed to Ohio State in June over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, USC and a host of other suitors.
Head coach Urban Meyer and co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano recently flew out to California for an in-home visit with Davis' parents ahead of the recruiting dead period, likely clearing up the same rumors we are now.
RAPID ASCENT
According to ESPN's Gerry Hamilton, Ohio State has offered Baltimore, Maryland, St. Frances Academy four-star defensive end Eyabi Anoma.
#OhioState & #Clemson offered #ESPNJr300 No. 9-overall @TherealEyabi (Eyabi Anoma) today. 2018 UA @AllAmericaGame DE
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) December 15, 2016
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Anoma is considered the fourth-best weak-side defensive end and the No. 81 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 10 offers from programs such as Clemson, Maryland, Penn State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
Anoma recorded 24 sacks and more than 60 tackles in his first full year playing football after he transferred from Randallstown, Maryland, where he only played basketball.
GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER TEN-YEAR WAR?
Though overshadowed by Ohio State's six five-star commitments, Michigan has put together one of the nation's top recruiting classes for the current cycle. The Wolverines jumped Oklahoma and LSU on Monday for the fourth-best class in the country by adding IMG Academy four-star center Cesar Ruiz and Flint four-star defensive end Deron Irving-Bey.
For 2017 No. 1 center Cesar Ruiz, who makes the best pitch?
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2016
Auburn
Florida
Michigan pic.twitter.com/LPoMf67Y9w
Michigan now holds commitments from the state's top six players from the Class of 2017, which includes five-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who picked the Wolverines over Ohio State last Thursday.
“The best players in Michigan go to Michigan,” Irving-Bey said.
