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.
COOPER, GILL HIGHLIGHT BEST OF THE MIDWEST
As we previewed on Sunday, the Best of the Midwest combine took place yesterday in Indianapolis. A handful of players stood out, but according to most in attendance, Ohio State commitment Jonathon Cooper and 2018 Westerville South star Jaelen Gill were among the cream of the crop.
The superlatives around the pair of Ohio stars, especially Cooper, were not lacking.
Jonathon Cooper: The Top247 defensive end and Ohio State commit out of Columbus (Ohio) Gahanna Lincoln lined up on the inside a decent amount which was nice because he was going up against the best offensive linemen of the event and he still managed to have a lot of success because of his speed and quickness. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Cooper was clearly the defensive linemen that possessed the most twitch off the snap. The Buckeyes pledge told 247Sports that OSU told him he could play that defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid role in Columbus.
Rivals.com was equally as effusive in their praise. Cooper was named their top overall performer.
Performance: Cooper started the day by running an impressive 4.62 40-yard dash during the testing phase of the event. He ended with a defensive line MVP award after an impressive one-on-one session with the offensive linemen. Now up to 225 pounds, the 6-foot-3 Cooper still looks like a linebacker prospect physically, but he certainly has no problem at the point of attack. His specialty is the outside speed rush, though, where his explosive get-off is coupled with great agility and makes him a very difficult block.
Cooper's was named a co-MVP along the defensive line. He plans, according to people close to him, to be at Ohio State for their spring game in April and is working toward a January 2016 enrollment.
Gill, the 2018 running back/wide receiver from Westerville was impressive as anyone at the camp. He ran a 4.5 on a bum ankle and was consistently beating his opposition in one-on-ones. In fact, according to 247Sports.com, he impressed the event's organizer more than almost anyone.
Event organizer Greg Brookey thought the Westerville (Ohio) South 2018 blue-chipper to be could’ve easily won receiver MVP honors.
Gill went on the record with DRichTV after the event and had a pretty in-depth interview where he discusses his college choices, desire to stay close to home, etc.
If you're unfamiliar with Gill's game, here's his freshman highlights. I recommend getting very familiar, because he's a player Buckeye fans will be watching for the next six to eight years.
2016 QUARTERBACK DAVID MOORE HEARING FROM BUCKEYES
Earlier today we examined the 2016 quarterback situation beyond Jarrett Guarantano. Then, as usually happens, Twitter provided a new name: Alpharetta, Georgia's David Moore.
Ohio State showin some real interest #BuckeyeNation
— David Moore (@David_Moore5) February 17, 2015
Moore is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound quarterback with offers from Illinois, Oregon State, Marshall and Southern Miss among others. Since earning honorable mention MVP honors at the US Army All-American combine in January he's believed things would start picking up, but he admitted hearing from the Buckeyes is special.
"Everyone always told me I was gonna blow up but I never thought I would hear from Ohio State," Moore told 11W. "They were my dream school growing up. (Tim) Beck has been reaching out since he was hired there."
How did Ohio State become the "dream school" for a kid in Alpharetta, Georgia? Give the credit to former Buckeye All-American Cameron Heyward.
"One of my best friends when I was a kid was Connor Heyward and his big brother played there and I fell in love with them," Moore continued. "Terrelle Pryor was my favorite quarterback for sure."
Although he's probably closer in size and style to J.T. Barrett than the big-bodied Pryor, Moore says the Buckeyes like what they've seen of his game.
"(Tim Beck) likes my dynamic play inside and outside the pocket and my ability to extend plays," Moore said of what the Buckeyes are seeing in him. "We're talking more tonight."
Outside of the Buckeyes, Moore is also hearing lately from Texas A&M, Houston, Kansas, Boston College, and North Carolina. His mother is originally from Detroit and he says that distance would play no part in his eventual college decision.
BOSA NOT SWAYED BY THE MASSES
It's been discussed here, there, and everywhere — and at length — but in case you were still doubting how social media impacts recruiting, Nick Bosa has a comment on the matter.
Do people realize commenting on my pictures has no say in where I'm going to college
— Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) February 17, 2015
You see folks, there's nothing that is gained by replying to every tweet, Instagram post or Facebook discussion with "BUCKEYES!!" or "#BuckeyeNation"; and although Ohio State fans are certainly not alone in this endeavor, it's making zero impact on the players that are even most likely to be Buckeyes. Support your team, cheer like crazy when you're in the stadium, show up and show out for the Spring Game on April 18th, for Friday Night Lights in July, etc. That's how fans make a difference in a player's choice.
MIAMI OFF TO HOT START IN 2016
If you're impressed by Ohio State's early success in the 2016 recruiting cycle, be prepared to be stunned by what is happening in Coral Gables, Florida. The Miami Hurricanes and Coach Al Golden have already received 17 commitments.
17.
There are some schools who may not end up with that many official visitors come the fall. Unfortunately for Miami, these commitments still have a year before they can sign, but with many of them hailing from South Florida, it's clear that Hurricanes are working to keep the best from their area home.
Much like Michigan's 2015 class, the key for Golden will be to showcase an improving product on the field or this early favorite for class of the year could fall apart like Brady Hoke's last effort.
