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.
FINISHING UP CLASS OF 2015?
While many of the country's premier college football programs are in scramble mode for the final pieces of their 2015 recruiting class, Ohio State is potentially days away from being all but wrapped in the "Elite '15." This week, the Buckeyes will know exactly where they stand with Juwuan Briscoe and Neville Gallimore, and if the duo each select Ohio State, it will finish up an incredibly strong class from top to bottom.
Briscoe, the country's 35th-ranked cornerback, is a three-star prospect from Maryland, who will make his college decision public on Thursday, just hours before Ohio State takes on Alabama in New Orleans. The Buckeyes are going toe-to-toe with Georgia for Briscoe's services. Once committed to Clemson, Briscoe would wrap up a dynamic group of defensive backs for the Buckeyes.
Gallimore, who has been tightly linked with the Buckeyes for months — and more so since his November 30th official visit — will decide on Saturday during the US Army All-American Bowl. There is a lot of current smoke moving Gallimore's choice in the direction of Oklahoma, a school that has been at the top of his list for a long time. The Buckeyes are hoping to land one more defensive tackle for 2015 and Gallimore is the one they've felt (up until now) that they had the best chance with.
If Briscoe and Gallimore each pick the Buckeyes this week, the next month becomes maintenance on 2015 and a head start on 2016 for Urban Meyer and his coaches. A huge advantage that the Buckeyes would love to have in their pockets.
GEORGE HILL HIGHLIGHTS
Hubbard, Ohio's 2016 star running back George Hill may have had to split time this season with future college bruiser LJ Scott, but that didn't stop Hill from having another great season. This past week, Hill released his junior year highlights and in it he shows incredible burst, top-end speed that's college ready and a physical running style.
As a senior at Hubbard, Hill will get a chance for the first time to be a feature back and when that happens you should expect a number of big-time offers to come rolling in. Hill committed to the Buckeyes over the summer and 6-foot-tall, 200-pound tailback is firmly pledged to Ohio State.
US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL UPDATES
Because of Ohio State's inclusion in the inaugural college football playoff, I'm writing from New Orleans, and not San Antonio where I'd be covering the 2015 US Army All-American Bowl. As I'm in Louisiana, we're going to rely a bit on the power of the internet to help get some vital updates on Ohio State commitments and targets currently working on their craft.
Buckeye commitment Torrance Gibson has been electric all afternoon. He's been singled out by a few different people as the day's best performer at quarterback. Scout.com's Allen Trieu called Gibson "the the best QB in the morning session."
Chris Nee of 247 said Ohio State QB commit Torrance Gibson had the most "Wow" moments for the East QB's at the Army All-American practice.
— jbook (@jbook37) December 29, 2014
Gibson was not the only Ohio State commitment to impress the 247Sports.com gang.
247's Barton Simmons list Ohio State commit's Dre'Mont Jones as his top DL and Michael Weber top RB at the Army All-American game practice.
— jbook (@jbook37) December 29, 2014
Weber, who checked in at 220 pounds, went on the record with Steve Wiltfong, and while he didn't 100-percent confirm that he'd not entertain some contact from Michigan and new coach Jim Harbaugh, he did say he's already tired of the rumors.
"Michigan coaches have been contacting me lately, fans been on me, people everywhere I go it’s about Michigan and Harbaugh," Weber told Wilftong. “I’m kind of tired of hearing it.”
#GoBucks commit Michael Weber https://t.co/nFXagc6nfO
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) December 29, 2014
Ohio State commitment Justin Hilliard did not make the trip to San Antonio as he recovers from a minor procedure on his knee.
Playing in the Army Game has been a life long goal but unfortunately can't play. On last week of rehab from minor meniscus surgery #GoArmy
— Justin Hilliard (@JHilliard47) December 29, 2014
Neville Gallimore is another top prospect that will not play this Saturday because of knee injury. Gallimore made the trip but was not cleared by doctors to participate. He still intends to make his college decision on Saturday.
The aforementioned Dre'Mont Jones, one of the more under-the-radar All-Americans.
#GoBucks commit DreMont jones one of the day's best https://t.co/mSyn7SodVh
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) December 29, 2014
UNDER-ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN BOWL UPDATES
Only two Ohio State commitments are in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida for the Under-Armour All-American Bowl, but both have had excellent first-day showings according to observers. Jashon Cornell, who's made it a priority to recruit Connecticut's Christian Wilkins, showed off his moves in this update.
Ohio State five-star DL commit Jashon Cornell gets past his defender in one on ones. https://t.co/kxMqVlT2U5
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 29, 2014
Here's Wilkins himself against future Crimson Tide offensive lineman Richie Petitbon.
DT Christian Wilkins against Alabama OL commit Richie Petitbon #UAAllAmerica https://t.co/gqnAqvQI06
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 29, 2014
Eric Glover-Williams has been playing cornerback and has been among the top performers in Florida, according to those in attendance.
Black's PR team highlighted by #OhioState commit Eric Glover-Williams. Looked very smooth darting down field on reps. #UAAllAmerica
— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) December 29, 2014
EGW also took to Vine and prognosticated a Buckeye victory on Thursday night.
#OhioState commit Eric Glover-Williams and Alabama commit Richie Petitbon give their predictions for the #SugarBowl https://t.co/xefYPFtbpx
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) December 29, 2014
