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.
CAN THE RICH GET RICH(MOND)ER?
In a weekend that will bring a lot of big visitors to Columbus, there might not be one bigger than Drew Richmond. The Memphis native and Ole Miss commit — and self-professed lifelong Ohio State fan — is one of seven potential official visits on-hand this weekend and the one most seem to think is likely to flip to Ohio State eventually. While I myself don't share such an optimistic view of Richmond's ultimate collegiate choice, I did reach out to someone at Ohio State about it and this is what they're feeling.
"It's no secret that we've really liked Drew for a long time," the source said. "He's a great player obviously but also a really good kid. He's one of those people that people like to be around and still works his butt off on the field when it's time to go. Not sure if he's likely to end up here but we like him, always have."
An interesting sidebar to Richmond's recruitment? There are rumors that Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze has been offered the head coaching job at Florida. While it's unlikely that he'd leave behind the security and goodwill he's developed in Oxford for the tumult that's so thick in the Gainesville air, the conversation is at least happening. If Freeze were to leave Ole Miss, the stability in Columbus, combined with Richmond's affinity and familiarity for and with Ohio State might make the Buckeyes an option.
NEBRASKA COMMIT TO CHECK IN ON BUCKEYES OFFICIALLY
Ohio State will get an official visit this weekend from Nebraska offensive line pledge Mirko Jurkovic, Jr. the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder told Eleven Warriors today. When he committed to the Huskers in July, Jurkovic was weeks removed from his Buckeye offer and a late June visit to Columbus. Following his pledge to Nebraska, he said that the communication between he and Ohio State had slowed down, but it appears to have picked up again recently.
"(Ed Warinner) and I started to talk again about two months ago," Jurkovic said. "But it really picked up in the last month. He said I've got a scholarship offer on the table, so I'm taking an official visit there to make sure I'm making the right decision."
With four committed offensive lineman and tackles like Drew Richmond and Andre James visiting this weekend, it's Jurkovic's versatility that makes him an intriguing prospect. The idea of competing for playing time and a spot doesn't matter to the IMG Academy star.
"There's going to be competition everywhere," he said of the four already committed lineman at Ohio State. "They see me as a versatile lineman who can play all five spots. I played tackle and guard this year and I like tackle but I honestly don't care where I play on the line."
Jurkovic will arrive in Columbus on Friday and be in town through Sunday.
WASHINGTON EXCITED FOR FIRST BUCKEYE GAME
One of the country's most offered junior running backs — North Carolina's Robert Washington — has been to Ohio State three times already on visits. He has not, up until this point, been on campus for a football game. He's excited for that to change.
"I can't wait to see Ohio State's gameday environment," Washington told 11W. "I've been there three times but never for a game. I'm going to the game with Aapri Washington, Moe Neal, Will Eason and Jack Fording."
Aapri Washington is a 2017 prospect; Neal, Eason and Fording are all 2016. The group will stop at Virginia Tech for a visit Friday during the day and arrive in Columbus late Friday night. Robert Washington has almost 45 scholarship offers. He also won his team a state title with a nifty overtime touchdown.
JUDSON NOT SURE IF HE'LL VISIT
Buckeye commitment Jamel Dean will be in Columbus this weekend for his official visit to Ohio State. His teammate, electric 2017 quarterback Bruce Judson, has been planning on making the trip with him but as of now isn't sure that is going to happen.
"It's hopefully still going to happen," Judson said of his trip. "I've just got to make sure I can arrange the travel."
Ohio State has been the rumored leader for Judson's commitment for a while, but he appears to have backed off his early desire for a quick decision.
