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.
YOUR 2016 QB SITUATION
Let's start off your Thanksgiving night with a little something to be thankful for: Ohio State doesn't need to sign a quarterback in 2016 barring disaster. Next year's roster should be chock full of quarterback deliciousness. Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, JT Barrett, Stephen Collier, Joe Burrow and Torrance Gibson will all get their shot in the shotgun, at least initially. Yes, transfers could happen from that group, but overall, it's likely that at least five quarterbacks will appear on your 2015 roster. That said, we're talking recruiting and in my personal opinion, you should take a quarterback every single recruiting class unless you've got an exceptional surplus at the position. The Buckeyes do.
Now, the rub: Ohio State is very high on — and high on the list of — a few of the country's best 2016 quarterbacks including Jarrett Guarantano, Dwayne Haskins, and Jawon Pass. Guarantano is visiting this weekend, Haskins has already been to Ohio State this fall and Pass, who visited in the summer, could be the best quarterback in the country. Would any of those three willingly come to Columbus knowing how stacked the Ohio State depth chart is? It does't stop Florida State, who have three quarterbacks committed in 2015 and the nation's top-ranked 2016 quarterback (Malik Henry) already in the fold. Are the Buckeyes not as appealing to a quarterback as Florida State? I tend to think they are.
If they decide to take a quarterback and none of those top three choose Ohio State, where might the Buckeyes' attention turn? Two names top that list: DeSoto, Texas' Tristen Wallace and Orlando's Ervin "Woody" Barrett.
A potential Ohio State quarterback named Woody and Barrett? :mind blown:
JOSH KING ONE TO WATCH?
One key 2016 visitor that is worth paying close attention to is Darien, Illinois (Hinsdale South) defensive end Josh King. A 6-foot-6, 250 pounder, King has offers from Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC and others. He's regarded by many as a Michigan State lean, but multiple sources have told us that this weekend is very key in the Buckeyes' pursuit of him. A quiet, humble kid, King is the 48th-ranked player in nation for 2016 and likely to make a college choice sooner rather than later.
A big weekend in Columbus could go a long way towards establishing the Buckeyes as the team to beat. He was on hand when Ohio State upset Michigan State in East Lansing on November 8th. A potential defensive line unit in 2016 of Jonathon Cooper, Nick Bosa, Josh King and Auston Robertson? Sign me up.
THIYO LUKUSA VISIT PLANS CHANGE
One of Michigan's top 2016 lineman, Thiyo Lukusa, has been looking forward to his Ohio State visit this weekend for quite a while. Unfortunately for the Traverse City native, he's now forced to reschedule because of an obligation to his basketball team.
"I'm not happy about it," Lukusa told Eleven Warriors. "But, I'm part of a team and I can't skip out on my teammates."
One reason this weekend was so vital for Lukusa is that he had wanted to make a college choice this December and Ohio State is right near the top of his list.
"Most definitely, this pushes things back," he said. "My mom needs to see Ohio State."
The Buckeyes and Spartans are prohibitive favorites at this point for the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder, with Notre Dame also in the mix. He says he's got another visit to Columbus in mind.
"I'll be down in Columbus for a whole weekend this winter," Lukusa continued. "A Friday through a Sunday. I think I'll be there January 23rd-25th."
LJ SCOTT WON'T VISIT - WILL MIKE WEBER?
With one day left before most people traveling to Columbus begin their trek, the potential visitor list keeps changing. One player who was rumored to be considering a visit was Hubbard's LJ Scott, but that will not happen according to one source at Ohio State.
"There will be no Scott visit this week," the source said. "I don't think that one is going to work out for Ohio State."
Not entirely unexpected, but still disappointing. With Scott apparently out of the picture, the running back focus likely turns exclusively to Detroit Cass Tech's Mike Weber. With a handful of Technician teammates planning on making the trip south, the news could be a bit better on that front.
"I'm optimistic Weber will visit," the source continued. "That could be big for us, to get him here unofficially now and then an official down the line."
Weber added big offer yesterday: Alabama extended a scholarship in his direction.
