The Hurry Up: Reviewing the Week in Buckeye Recruiting, Lawrence Drops Top Five and More

THE RECRUITING WEEK THAT WAS 

• THE HURRY UP: 08/03 | 08/04 | 08/05 | 08/06 | 08/07
• GAVIN CUPP COMMITMENT: Cupp is No. 19 | Cupp's Impact on 2016 Class
• BUCKEYES LOSE BIG-TIME COMMIT: Terrell Hall Decommits from Ohio State
• LOOKING TOWARDS THE FINISH: How Could the Buckeyes 2016 Class End Up?
• WALKER GOES IN-DEPTH: Buckeyes' Commit Talks Visit, ASU and More
• BETTER KNOW A BUCKEYE: North Little Rock, Arkansas Wide Receiver KJ Hill
• 11W COMMUNITY INTERVIEW: 2016 Commitment Austin Mack  

RASHARD LAWRENCE DROPS TOP FIVE

It's well-documented that the Buckeyes want another defensive tackle to complement Malik Barrow in their 2016 class. With 19 commitments in the mix, it's one of a very few spots that have to be filled before February in the minds of the Ohio State coaching staff. We've discussed that Ellenwood, Georgia's Antwuan Jackson is the most likely to join the class, but there's a few other names that would be just as welcomed, including Monroe, Louisiana's Rashard Lawrence. 

Late on Saturday evening Lawrence, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder listed his top five schools and Ohio State, where he visited in July, made the cut.

With the help of the man above, here it is #ThankyouGod pic.twitter.com/yfnHJOXXtR

— Rashard Lawrence (@Rashard_99) August 9, 2015

While it's likely that Lawrence ends up at LSU or Alabama, Ohio State is expected to receive an official visit from the five-star defensive tackle, ranked as the country's 15th-overall prospect. One thing that could play in the Buckeyes' favor? LSU currently has commitments from two other defensive tackles (and are seriously in the mix for Rashan Gary) and Bama has three other defensive tackles already secured. Could the numbers actually work in Ohio State's favor? 

RENE CHOOSES RUTGERS AS EXPECTED

Yesterday afternoon, Patrice Rene, the four-star defensive back from Alexandra, Virginia by way of Canada, committed to Rutgers. Rene selected the Scarlet Knights over Virginia Tech, North Carolina and others. Ohio State was at one time very interested in Rene, offering him over a year ago, but they felt they needed to see a bit more from him against top-level competition before deciding to make a real push for him.

At Friday Night Lights, Rene impressed Ohio State's staff quite a bit, putting himself back into the conversation as a "take." A staff meeting days after FNL led to the same conclusion they'd come to months before: he was a good player, but Ohio State felt good about their chances with other players they've had higher on their list for a while.

The question – risk – for the Buckeyes is of course, what if? What if Damar Hamlin, Andrew Pryts, Jordan Fuller and others choose another school? Will Rene, Tony Butler and others get a second look or would the Buckeyes, knowing that 2017's class could be among the best in school history, hold off and wait? I can't see a scenario where all three of the remaining "top" targets go elsewhere, but time will tell. Pryts could commit at any time and that will help to at least start answering the questions.

FARRELL AND HAUSMANN DISCUSSION

I had a chance to talk to a source close to the Buckeyes recently about the incoming tight end duo of Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell. The pair, ranked as the country's third and fourth best tight ends respectively, each present a unique skill-set that makes them the perfect duo for a one-two punch at the same position in the same class.

"Those were the guys we identified really early," the source shared. "Jake is big, a really great option the short passing game and the redzone and Luke is really athletic, more than people think. His length and ability to stretch a defense down the seam differentiates him from Jake, and they'll both have a really good chance for playing time early."

The Buckeyes pursued a couple of other tight ends while they waited for Farrell to make his choice, but in the end, landing the two Ohioans was the goal.

"We knew we'd be in a good position for Luke even though Jake had committed so early," the source continued. "Can't blame the kid for looking around to make sure though, but we felt all along that there wasn't much to worry about because he was so comfortable here."

HARRISON A NAME TO WATCH?

Malik Harrison is not likely to end up at Ohio State, but following his appearance at Friday Night Lights, the Buckeyes are at least paying attention to the Walnut Ridge athlete. 

Harrison, 6-foot-4 and 205-pounds, caught people's attention with his combination of size and natural athleticism, surprising those who saw him with his fluidity, including Ohio State's Luke Fickell. While Wisconsin is the probable destination for Harrison (the Badgers have offered and have a pair of former teammates on their roster), being noticed by Ohio State might at least mean he makes his way to campus for a game or two this fall and delays his decision a bit.

BRUCE PREPARING BACKUP PLAN?

Recruiting in 2015 means you prepare for anything and St. Thomas Aquinas 2016 wide receiver Sam Bruce is planning on doing just that, according to Rivals.com analyst Rob Cassidy. 

Bruce, who has been committed to Miami for over a year, is the country's 5th-ranked wide receiver and he's been adamant that nothing short of a staff removal in Coral Gables will make him decommit from the Hurricanes. With a big year coming for Al Golden's staff, Bruce is – at the very least – preparing for everything. He told Cassidy that he will take official visits to Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Miami and Ohio State, although he didn't clarify which game he'd visit the Buckeyes for.

Ohio State has had serious interest in Bruce for as long as he's been committed to Miami, but they know the chase for a commitment it futile barring Golden's firing. Bruce's talent and his game is perfect for Urban Meyer's offense, and the Buckeyes are hoping that the emerging St. Thomas Aquinas to Columbus pipeline can hold some sway with Bruce if Golden's tenure meets an abrupt end.