Welcome to The Hurry-Up, which runs Sunday through Thursday, serving as your last stop for recruiting news and notes nightly. We'll recap the day as it happened and preview the days ahead while keeping our ear to the ground on the Ohio State recruiting scene.
WHAT'S UP WITH WILLIAMS?
Over the last few days, there's been a noticeable uptick in the buzz surrounding Indianapolis Warren Central defensive back Mykelti Williams. Williams, a 2015 prospect who checks in at 6-foot, 198 pounds, doesn't yet have any offer from Ohio State but did tell Eleven Warriors that there's pretty regular contact.
"I talk to Ohio State a lot," Williams shared. "They're recruiting me hard, but nothing big (read: no offer) yet."
Williams was one of many recruits in attendance for the Buckeyes 50-28 win on Saturday and there was some discussion that an offer was coming. That didn't turn out to be the case, but he remains someone Ohio State is watching closely. If an offer were to come, expect Williams to jump on it quickly. Right now, he holds offers from Louisville, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and others. Apparently Williams has one fan in place: Indiana Pacers' guard George Hill.
Number #18 on Warren Central Is A Beast!!! Fun To Watch #FridayNighthighschoolFootball #PikevsWarrenCentral
— INDIANA GEORGE HILL (@George_Hill3) September 27, 2014
MCCALL ME, MAYBE?
Another of the visitors from the weekend, North Ridgeville's 2016 standout DeMario McCall, had a great time at Ohio State according to his head coach, Luke Durbin.
"It was awesome, DeMario loved it," Durbin told Eleven Warriors. "He had never been to a college football game before. He was happy to get the chance to meet with Coach (Urban) Meyer a bit before the game."
McCall is likely to see a number of other college games before he decides on a school. While it's expected he'll stay home and end up a Buckeye, the chance to visit and research other schools is an important piece of being recruited. That being the case, McCall could see game number two as soon as this weekend in South Bend, Indiana.
"(A Notre Dame visit) could possibly happen this weekend," Durbin said. "We have a coach lined up ready to take him over there."
Notre Dame will host a number of big-time Ohio prospects this weekend as they take on Stanford.
RICKY SLADE, JR. CONTINUES TO SHINE
I know it's hard to imagine talking too seriously about a 2018 prospect, but Woodbridge, Virginia's Ricky Slade, Jr. makes it seem reasonable. He's 5-foot-9 and 170-pounds and well, very fast. In back-to-back weeks, Slade has scored five first-half touchdowns, running being an big offensive line anchored by Buckeyes' target Matt Burrell. This past Friday night, Slade ran for 368 yards and eight, yes eight, touchdowns.
This video gives a little taste of Slade's impressive vision and cutback ability (and a de-cleating block by Burrell on the final touchdown). The most impressive thing to me? How about the "I've been here before" approach after ever touchdown? No egregious celebrating, no self-congratulating: zilch, zip, nada. Just a kid who is playing the game hard and playing it with respect. Kudos to his coaches and parents. It goes without saying that Slade is a player worth watching over the next couple years.
YOU SERIOUS, CLARK?
Sunday afternoon Michigan commitment Chris Clark caused a few Twitter shockwaves with a since deleted tweet. The message was simple: "If Coach Hokes gets fired it changes everything." By "everything" he of course means his commitment to Michigan. Since it's more likely that I'm the subject of Taylor Swift's next spite-filled, love-lost chart-topper than for Brady Hoke to keep his job, I wanted to check into things a bit. Would the Buckeyes be interested in Clark if he were to check in on them?
Short answer? No, I don't think so. Ohio State is very happy with their two tight end prospects (Josh Moore, A.J. Alexander). While Clark was clearly the top guy on the board previously, the Buckeyes moved on and so did Clark. Bottom line? If Clark doesn't end up in Ann Arbor, he's unlikely to end up in Columbus. Close the door on those thoughts, Buckeye fans.
MORE ON AUSTON ROBERTSON
Auston Robertson is about as 50/50 between Ohio State and Notre Dame as one prospect could be. Born in Lima, Ohio, and raised in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Robertson holds a scholarship offer from both schools and his 247Sports.com "crystal ball" is split right down the middle.
After making his second visit to Ohio State in two weeks, and from my discussions close to the situation, I've gone ahead and registered my own choice for Robertson: I am confident he'll be a Buckeye. Expect him to make a number of other school visits but eventually Robertson's home will be back in Ohio.
