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.
MCGUFF, BUCKEYES LAND FIVE-STAR SHOOTING GUARD
The Hurry Up is, every single day, looking for ways to improve and to be a more comprehensive, one-stop shop for Ohio State recruiting and that means football, basketball and – if I can help it – women's basketball as well. The Buckeyes are the country's sixth-ranked team and have collected as much talent as any team in the nation and I want to make sure we give them their due.
Friday, Ohio State landed the country's 31st-ranked 2016 prospect, Jensen Caretti, a five-star shooting guard from Hannibal, Ohio. A River High School product, Caretti is a 6-foot-1 shooting guard, and she selected the Buckeyes over South Carolina, North Carolina, Purdue and Pittsburgh among her offers.
Here is her evaluation From ESPN.com:
OGBR Open Gym-August 2015: Ultra-athletic, versatile off-guard with superior length on perimeter; handles and attacks in transition game; exploits mismatches, brings soft touch on jumper; manufactures, elevates in mid-range game; highly coveted potential with next level possibilities.
Caretti's talent is only equaled by the story of her life, her path to basketball stardom hasn't been easy, but it is incredible: She is the ninth of 11 adopted children that grew up in a four-bedroom home just shy of the West Virginia border.
From ESPN.com:
She was a virtual unknown three months ago. The way she was "discovered" by an AAU coach was amazing, but it was nowhere near as astonishing as how she managed to survive a tragic situation with her birth mother.
I strongly recommend checking out the full story on Caretti, who could be the next big thing for Kevin McGuff's surging basketball program.
WARINNER'S SOPHOMORE TAPE
We spend a lot of time talking about Ed Warinner the coach on Eleven Warriors, but today let's talk a little bit about Edward Warinner, the linebacker and 2018 prospect from Olentangy Liberty High School.
Warinner, a 6-foot-2 and 205-pound linebacker, who – at this point – is still waiting on his first scholarship offer. His sophomore year highlights give a nice picture of the player he's rounding into.
With his pedigree and size (he should be a 230-pounder before he leaves high school) Warinner has not seen his best football yet, but he's a player to watch in Ohio's very talented 2018 class.
BRUCE TALKS BUCKEYES
Ohio State's search for a second big-time wide receiver in 2016 has primarily been focused on Coconut Creek, Florida's Binjimen Victor, and if you've seen his senior season's highlight tape then you already know why.
Of course, in recruiting you don't put all your eggs in one basket, and the Buckeyes are still on the trail of another Floridian, Miami commitment Sam Bruce. Bruce, who visited Ohio State in October for the Penn State game with Victor, took some time the other day to talk to CollegeLevelAthletes.com about his recruitment in general and his surging interest in the Buckeyes specifically.
Bruce remains committed to the Miami Hurricanes, but the Buckeyes – as well as Florida – each remain as a real threat to Miami, especially with the unrest in Coral Gables.
"A big thing for me is majoring in sports broadcasting," Bruce said. "I'm definitely looking for a school of communications and of course a successful football team."
When asked about the Buckeyes, Bruce was concise.
"It was a great experience, I had a great time up there," he said of Ohio State. "All in all it was a great atmosphere. I'm looking forward to going back up there."
There's no plan currently for a return trip, but Bruce also mentioned his relationship with Urban Meyer and Zach Smith as an important factor in his interest in the Scarlet and Gray.
MCCALL SCOUT.COM SPOTLIGHT
Despite a disappointing, injury-riddled senior season, North Ridgeville's Demario McCall is still one of the country's most explosive high school football players. His speed, agility and natural athleticism made him a must have for the Buckeyes in the 2016 class.
Thursday, he was in the Scout.com spotlight and shared some thoughts on his game.
McCall is the country's 47th-ranked player and second-ranked all-purpose running back. He's likely to play a role similar to Dontre Wilson or Jalin Marshall when he arrives at Ohio State.
GET OUT THE CRYSTAL BALLS, WIN 11W DRY GOODS
National Signing Day is less than three months away, and we're interested to see how you think the class ends up. Last year there were several new names that popped up late in the process, so it's never easy to predict what will transpire.
Anyway, check out the recruiting board and submit your predictions to finish out the class. All submissions must be entered before the 12pm kickoff tomorrow. Winning entry gets some sweet T-shirts.
