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.
HARBAUGH WILL BRING COMPETITION - AND THAT'S A GOOD THING
Ok, let's cut to the chase: it appears that Jim Harbaugh to Michigan is happening.
Simply put, this is great for the Buckeyes, the Big Ten and of course, for Michigan. Harbaugh is a legitimate star in the coaching world and a legend in Ann Arbor. He'll bring immediate legitimacy back to their program, at least in living rooms; it'll still take a year or two before it happens on the football field. That said, the buzz around his now seemingly inevitable hiring is thick and it's already permeated the recruiting scene.
Jim Harbaugh to Michigan ...
— AlightyReem (@_KareemWalker) December 28, 2014
That tweet, from 2016 running back Kareem Walker is one that has been, and will continue to be, popular. Harbaugh's reputation is as good as anyone in the country despite his surly attitude and generally unlikeable demeanor. What he makes up for affability he makes up for with results and a history of success as a player and a coach. He's likely to find out that things in Ann Arbor are not going to be as easy as people will expect, however. Michigan's football program has issues beyond just holes in the depth chart. There's a sizable chasm between the academic and athletic factions that will take one side (the academic one) relenting on a number of fronts. With the rumors of a ridiculously large contract, Michigan and Harbaugh will still have to find a lot of money for assistants and the school is, in some way, going to sell their soul for renewed success on the gridiron.
If you learned anything from last year's hiring of James Franklin at Penn State, you'll know what to expect from Michigan on the recruiting trail over the next few months. There will be an immediate swing of momentum and Michigan will become an immediate presence, going head-to-head capably with Ohio State, Notre Dame and others. This problem becomes exacerbated in Ohio if, as rumored, Michigan brings along former Florida defensive co-ordinator DJ Durkin, who is a likely choice to become Harbaugh's top defensive assistant at Michigan. Durkin is well-connected in Ohio and has a great reputation as a defensive coach. Michigan's 2015 recruiting class is in shambles at the moment, but rest assured: Harbaugh will salvage it to some degree.
The big question for the Buckeyes immediately is whether or not Harbaugh's looming hire affects the status of Mike Weber, who committed to the Buckeyes three weeks ago, just two weeks after decommitting from the Wolverines. There has been increasing scuttlebutt that Harbaugh's decision could sway Weber, but there's nothing concrete at this time to suggest that is happening. One source close to Weber, said he doesn't think that will happen.
"I have no idea, really," the source said. "But he told me he wouldn't be switching back."
On the Ohio State side, there's some worry, but no one is going so far as to say it's inevitable that Weber flips. There was no reason for the immediate commitment to Ohio State if that's not where he was comfortable.
GIBSON EARNS HONORS, HEADS TO SAN ANTONIO
Over the summer, the recruiting "race" for Torrance Gibson died down a bit as teams waited to see if his mental and emotional game had caught up with his physical abilities. The Buckeyes stuck with Gibson through the tough times and he rewarded them for their loyalty with an early November commitment. Since then, as often as possible, schools that once were in play for Gibson have worked to get back into the mix. Today it was reported that Auburn was one of them, and Gibson is apparently considering an official visit there, as well as to (at least) UCF.
The interview with Auburn's 247Sports.com site happened in San Antonio, where Gibson and the other high school stars taking place in this year's Army All-American Bowl are converging for the week's events. Gibson didn't appear to have much thought of another school when I spoke to him last and his attire en route to the airport was appropriately representative of his intentions.
That picture, from Gibson's Facebook account, is par for the course for the 6-foot-4, 205 quarterback. He's regularly and positively representing Ohio State and I personally do not think he'll end up taking any other visits. If he does, I think it is solely because people around him are asking him to. Gibson values loyalty and I think he realizes that there are those who didn't believe in him and those who did. Ohio State is where Gibson wants to be, and it will be interesting to see how much deference is paid to those who have any other preferences.
Last week Gibson was named the 5A (small school) Player of the Year in Florida, another big honor for the talented athlete.
Thankful for being named Small School 5A Player of the Year! 6 #TG pic.twitter.com/d96pYrEvye
— Torrance Gibson (@quick_tg6) December 26, 2014
CARLTON DAVIS OPENS UP A BIT
Another South Florida Buckeye commitment who's been constantly linked to other schools is Carlton Davis. The Norland defensive back visited Miami officially prior to Christmas and since then the Hurricanes have been making a big push to get a "flip" from their hometown talent. The 6-foot-1,185-pound Davis is just trying to enjoy the recruiting dead period and get to signing day.
"I already know where I am going," Davis told Eleven Warriors. "Miami was pushing, but it didn't work."
Being a native of the Sunshine State, the lure to stay home and represent "The U" is often too strong for a player to resist, but Davis isn't swayed. He's visited Ohio State twice and he's convinced it's the right place for him.
"I love everything about Ohio State," he said. "The program, the tradition, the coaches, the players and the environment."
MATT FALCON HAS OHIO STATE ON TOP EARLY
The class of 2016 running backs is one of the greatest in recent classes. One of the very best for the class is Southfield, Michigan star Matthew Falcon. Falcon has offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, NC State, and Ohio State, among others. One of those schools stands out early to Falcon, Ohio State.
"At this point in time, they (Ohio State) are my leader," Falcon told Eleven Warriors.
With already one running back in the class, Ohio State is hoping to add at least one more running back and one more H-Back for the class. He is hoping to get to Ohio State for the Junior day on January 25th.
"As of now, I don't know if I'm going," Falcon said. "I'm trying to though."
