The Hurry Up: Hayes Cancels Two Official Visits and Plans Next Ohio State Trip, Brendon White Highlights and More

By Jeremy Birmingham on November 12, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Ohio State 2017 commitment Brendon White.
Brendon White
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The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s events with an ear on the ground for what’s next.

DAELIN HAYES ADJUSTS PLANS, SCHEDULES SECOND OHIO STATE TRIP

Last weekend, Michigan four-star linebacker Daelin Hayes made his second official visit – to Ohio State – out of a planned five. The visit to Columbus left Hayes—an Ann Arbor, Michigan, prospect—in "awe" of the Buckeyes. At one time an absolute long-shot to land him, suddenly Ohio State seemed to become a legitimate player in the race for the country's 8th-ranked outside linebacker as he prepared to take his final three official visits to Michigan State, Oregon and LSU.

Thursday, the competition shrunk a tad and Hayes says he will not take the trips to Eugene and Baton Rouge, instead focusing on his top three schools following this weekend's visit to East Lansing.

That is good news, of course, because the fewer teams you're competing against, the better, obviously. Notre Dame has been the front-runner for some time now, even considered by some as the leader while Hayes was still committed to USC, but Urban Meyer and Tony Alford's efforts have closed the gap considerably. Again, that's good news. The better news? Hayes will be back at Ohio State very soon.

"I'll be back on campus (at Ohio State for the game) against Michigan State," Hayes told Eleven Warriors. "Just an unofficial to continue to build my relationships with the players and the coaches."

So, add Daelin Hayes to the big list for Nov. 21. A final college decision will come within weeks of that visit, likely early in December.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MICHIGAN STATE?

On Tuesday night, Michigan State received some bad news as four-star defensive tackle Naquan Jones, decommitted suddenly, two days after making a visit to East Lansing and a week after this crystal clear tweet.

The Spartans, from what I was told, were a bit surprised by Jones' decision, although they were aware that there were some academic issues that could eventually impact his recruitment. What happened in a week's time that led to his decommitment? That's anyone's guess, but the loss of the country's 22nd-ranked defensive tackle was not expected.

What was expected was what happened Wednesday. Two more decommitments – from Washington, D.C., running back Abdul Adams and Akron Archbishop Hoban wide receiver Jonah Morris – came down the pike in the wee hours of Wednesday. Adams, the country's 26th-ranked running back, and Morris – who could play any number of positions in college – may have been "victims" of Mark Dantonio's very strict visit policy.

In 2016, recruiting is incredibly fluid as we've all learned multiple times, so don't assume a decommitment is ever as black and white as just "I want to go to another school." There's regularly something that the general public isn't getting and/or hearing and in these instances, Michigan State was aware a departure was coming and in each case don't feel it's that great a "loss" according to the Spartans' sources I've talked to.

Will the Buckeyes make a move on Jones? I don't think, at least not at this point. The belief is that there's work to be done off the field for him and maybe if their top targets at defensive tackle fall through that maybe he'd get a look then.

What about Morris? There had been some rumor milling about the Buckeyes possibly pursuing him as an outside linebacker possibility about a month ago, but nothing has come of it yet. Don't be surprised if he makes his way to Columbus for the Michigan State game, but it'd be unexpected to see an offer extended his way any time real soon.

BRENDON WHITE IS A BEAST

Whether he's a defensive back, linebacker, punter, wide receiver or running back, there's no doubt that Olentangy Liberty (Powell, Ohio) 2017 standout Brendon White is something special.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Buckeye legacy, who committed to Ohio State in early October, helped lead the Patriots to the playoffs in his junior season. Although they suffered a disappointing season-ending loss to Lorain last week, White – and the Patriots' very young team – have a very bright future. 

Here are White's junior highlights.

White is the country's 22nd-ranked 2017 safety but is one player that you should expect to see a substantial bump in the national rankings when they next get updated.

CHRISMAN ARMY ALL-AMERICAN PRESENTATION

Ohio State 2016 commitment Drue Chrisman, the country's top-ranked punter, became the latest Buckeye pledge to receive his Army All-American jersey, doing so today in a presentation at Cincinnati's La Salle High School.

Chrisman, who is 6-foot-4 and 200-pounds, is expected to redshirt next season for the Buckeyes. His Lancers take on crosstown rival Cincinnati St. Xavier in the second round of the Division II playoffs Saturday night.

MCCLOUD DECOMMITS FROM MIAMI

Although Daelin Hayes and Mique Juarez are more commonly discussed, another 2016 linebacker who has received some regular contact from the Buckeyes lately reopened his recruitment Thursday as well. Zach McCloud had maintained his commitment to the University of Miami throughout their coaching transition but as of roughly two hours ago, that has now changed.

Ohio State visited McCloud during their open week, taking a trip to Santaluces Community High School in Lake Worth, Florida, and McCloud had said repeatedly prior to his decommitment that he'd make an official visit to Columbus and it seems that it's more likely now than ever. 

McCloud is tentatively scheduled to be on hand for the Buckeyes' game next weekend against Michigan State.

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