The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s event with an ear on the ground for what’s next.
BURTON LISTS BUCKEYES IN TOP SEVEN, PLANS VISIT
The Buckeyes have a number of 2016 defensive backs still on their list and last night they found out they were still on the list for one of the country's best, Serra High School (Gardena, California) standout safety Brandon Burton.
Thank you guys for the opportunity! God bless @KhalilDTN @adamgorney @GregBiggins pic.twitter.com/Rge1n4gv1x
— Brandon Burton (@BraandonD1) June 30, 2015
Burton, the country's sixth-ranked safety, says he's continued to stay in touch with Ohio State.
"I talk to Coach Ash," Burton said. "I'm visiting there officially. I'm thinking for the Hawaii game."
While the Buckeyes have not yet had a visit from Burton, they're not alone. In fact, of the teams on his list, only UCLA has seen him on campus up to this point.
"I've got a while to go in my recruitment," Burton added.
JOHNSON, HOLMES WILL VISIT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
The 2017 wide receiver group for the Buckeyes should be among the nation's best. In fact, Ohio State is connected to so many big names within Ohio and across the country that Keyshawn Johnson, Jr., a four-star from Calabasas, California, sometimes gets left out of the conversation. Johnson, a cousin of current Buckeye star Michael Thomas, will be back in Columbus for Friday Night Lights, as first reported by Rivals.com and confirmed by Johnson to me.
2017 five-star CB Darnay Holmes and four-star WR Keyshawn Johnson Jr. will take another visit to #OhioState in July pic.twitter.com/ohNveLTb2J
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) June 30, 2015
The country's eighth-ranked wide receiver in 2017 has been linked to the Buckeyes for a while but most close to the 6-foot-1 pass-catcher indicate that USC or Nebraska are still the most likely options.
As you see, Johnson will make the trip with his good friend and fellow Californian Darnay Holmes. Holmes has been to Columbus previously with Johnson and the two have continued to express interest in a number of the same schools.
BUCKEYES OFFER 2017 BAMA COMMIT
Staying out west, the Buckeyes – who already have a 2017 running back committed – extended an offer yesterday to Najee Harris, a five-star tailback who has committed to Alabama.
Harris, 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds, committed to Alabama in April. The Buckeyes offer is one that is great to have on the docket, but it's yet to be seen if there's any legitimate interest in exploring it from Harris' side. This could just be a classic case of Urban Meyer/Nick Saban gamesmanship, but if Harris were interested in coming to visit Columbus, he'd be greeted with the scarlet carpet without question.
GRIMES, KAINDOH AND MYERS AMONG FIRST GROUP OF SCOUT.COM 2017 FIVE-STARS
Scout.com released their first set of 2017 five-stars today and Ohio State targets litter the 15-player list.
While Ohio State would certainly love to land any of these 15 players, the top three players in the country according to the FoxSports brand are already committed, each of them to SEC programs. Baton Rouge athlete Dylan Moses is committed to LSU, Florida's Calvin Ashley is pledged to Auburn and the aforementioned Najee Harris make up the top three.
Ohio State's top wide receiver target, Trevon Grimes checks in at No. 7 on the list, Maryland's Josh Kaindoh, a defensive end, starts of at No. 10 and Buckeye commitment Josh Myers rounds out the group at No. 15.
The Buckeyes are the clear-cut leaders right now for Grimes and trail Penn State for Kaindoh.
Two quarterbacks made the list, including TCU commitment Shawn Robinson at No. 6 and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) standout Tate Martell at No. 13. Martell becomes the first quarterback under 6-foot-tall to ever be named a five-star by Scout.com.
NEW NOTRE DAME SAFETY COMMIT WON'T IMPACT PRYTS
...and back to 2016 defensive backs for a moment.
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame added a big commitment from IMG Academy safety Spencer Perry yesterday. Perry becomes the second safety to commit to the Irish in 2016, joining Virginia's Jalen Elliott, who is listed as an athlete on the recruitment list. Elliott's characterization could have some impact come February but as for now, the one person it's not affecting is Hermitage, Pennsylvania's Andrew Prtys.
Ohio State is battling Notre Dame, Penn State and Stanford for Pryts, but the safety says the Irish have told him they plan to take another safety and that right now he's got a spot in South Bend if he wants it.
One thing to watch here is the continued pursuit of another Florida safety – Devin Studstill – by Notre Dame. The Irish lead the way for the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder and he's been a priority for their staff for some time.
