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.
WALKER TALKING THE TALK AND BUCKEYES TAKING NOTE
Ten or so days ago, I touched base on the early – and exciting, if you're a Buckeye fan – efforts of Kareem Walker to help lead the 2016 Ohio State recruiting class. Walker has been active in the pursuit of Jarrett Guarantano, Nate Craig-Meyers and others. His efforts have impressed the Ohio State staff and they're taking notice.
"We really didn't know who 'that guy' would be in this class," a source at Ohio State said. "Last year's group didn't really get that leader until July and as good as the guys we've got committed are, none of them are really outgoing personality-wise."
Walker committed to the Buckeyes in a somewhat surprising manner, but that is consistent with most early pledges – players who aren't eagerly searching for the spotlight.
"Even Kareem is kind of quiet, less than outgoing anyway," the source continued. "He's been taking an active role on Twitter and getting to know the other guys in the class and it's hard to underestimate how valuable that is. Not just because it's any player, either, you know? It's a guy who could be the best player in the country. That carries weight."
CAPEHEART EXCITED BY BUCKEYE ATTENTION
Towards the end of last week, the Buckeyes extended a pair of offers in Virginia, one of which went to Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach) 2017 wide receiver Tahj Capehart. Zach Smith, Ohio State's wide receiver coach, has been in contact with Capehart, a 5-foot-10, 170-pounder who also has offers from Arizona State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech and others.
"I really like (Smith's) energy," Capehart told Eleven Warriors. "I don't know much about Ohio State but I like Coach Smith, the way he interacts with me and I really like their offense, and how he handles their wide receivers. I'm really excited about the offer."
Smith, for his part, was apparently excited by what he saw from Capehart.
"He said he watched my tape and can see what I could be in the future," he added. "He said he'd let the things Ohio State has to offer speak for itself."
It's early in the process, and Capehart says he's going to try and take his time with recruiting.
"Right now, I'm just taking my time and taking the process slow," he continued. "I plan on visiting Ohio State this spring or in the summer."
CROSBY TALKS OHIO STATE OFFER
Capehart was not the only Dolphin from Ocean Lakes to receive a Buckeye offer last week: defensive tackle Eric Crosby also earned Ohio State's attention. Crosby, also a 2017 prospect, is a 6-foot-2, 260-pounder and you'd be surprised to hear what position he prefers to play.
"I prefer playing running back," Crosby told 11W. "I just love running the ball. I mean, I love every position I play, and I'm going to give it 100-percent no matter what spot I play."
Crosby, like Capehart, was offered by Zach Smith. Smith's reputation as a player's coach is something Crosby likes.
"I like the type of coach that can just be laid back and down to earth and relate to me," Crosby added. "When it comes to football I want to be able to say I trust them, his decision making on the field."
When it comes to Ohio State, Crosby is like most 2017 out-of-state prospects: he knows very little, but what he does know is important and attention-grabbing.
"All I know is that they just won a national championship," Crosby said, laughing. "I was super surprised when they offered."
Crosby says he'll make a visit to Ohio State in the future, but that he's in zero rush to make any decision.
"I'm trying to go on as many visits as possible," he continued. "I just want to see what everyone has to offer, to explore a lot of places. I've visited NC State, Virginia, and Old Dominion so far, but that's it. I need to see more places and I'll probably put out a Top 10 list towards the end of my junior season."
STIPEND DISCREPANCY INTERESTING, BUT NOT GAMECHANGING
Yesterday, PennLive.com posited an interesting question about the newly allowable NCAA stipends and what – if any – advantage Penn State gained by being far and away the largest stipend in the Big Ten.
Penn State coach James Franklin is on record recently as saying the expenses stipend is definitely on the table as a recruiting factor.
Penn State ranks at the top of the Big Ten with a miscellaneous expenses figure of $4,788. If it stays the same next school year, that means $4,788 of walking-around money during the nine-month period for athletes who receive full grants in aid.
In contrast, Ohio State ranks a mere 8th in the Big Ten, currently designating a mere $2,454 of tuition cost to incidental expenses - barely half of PSU's amount. You would expect Urban Meyer, Thad Matta and their messenger, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, to have a say in doubling that number or more by July when schools must designate any changes. Same with Jim Harbaugh and John Beilein at Michigan whose incidental expenses amount is currently designated as a relative pittance - $2,054, 12thin the conference.
In fact, the 2014-15 disparity ranges all the way down to $1,872, the amount designated for incidental expenses by Michigan State - nearly $3,000 less than Penn State.
A source within Ohio State's program said that while the Buckeyes' number is closer to $3500 annually, the disparity isn't something they are worried much about.
If a recruit is being swayed by an additional $100 monthly that they'll receive in Happy Valley, it's unlikely they're truly interested in what the Buckeyes are offering as a school, football program and social experience anyway. Still, it's almost a certainty that the Buckeyes, Wolverines, Badgers and Spartans – heck everyone in the conference – will make some noise inside their respective trustees' and presidents' offices.
