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.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
I wanted to take a moment and start tonight's Hurry Up with a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who continue to read our site. It's truly an honor to be a part of Eleven Warriors and it is entirely because of you, the reader, that we continue to grow and to succeed.
I'm honored to be a part of your day everyday, but more so today as I take some time to truly consider what matters to me. I'm incredibly grateful for the chance to be a part of this community and I am thankful every single day that you all choose to click on our little corner of the internet.
Thank you.
HAUBEIL VISIT SHORT BUT SWEET
Ohio State 2017 kicker commitment Blake Haubeil and his father visited Columbus last weekend, taking in the sights and sounds of his first Buckeyes' game this season. The trip was a success, despite the loss and terrible weather.
"It was terrific, it felt like being back home. It snowed in my fifth game this year (laughs)," Haubeil said of the visit. "I loved the atmosphere, the fans, and the excitement of all the players and coaches."
Obviously with the surprise loss to Michigan State, Haubeil's visit had a bit different feel to it than most weekends would be. His plans weren't impacted by the loss though, since he had to hurry back to New York.
"I actually didn't get a chance to talk to the coaches, but I'm sure (the loss) was difficult for them," he said. "I had a banquet I had to get back to the next morning."
Haubeil said the majority of his trip was spent with 2016 commit Drue Chrisman. The pair will spend a lot of time together in the next four-to-five years.
"Drue Chrisman and I spent almost the whole day together," Haubeil added. "I'm excited for the future."
The country's top-ranked kicker in 2017, Haubeil took to Twitter today to express what he's thankful for.
Thankful God created a pair of uprights
— Blake Haubeil (@BlakeHaubeil) November 26, 2015
Touché, Blake.
MORETTI DIDN'T MAKE TRIP
One Buckeye commitment that didn't end up visiting Ohio State last weekend was Colorado's Jake Moretti. The 2017 offensive lineman had plans to go, went to the airport to go, and then...then the challenges of November travel reared their ugly head.
"I wasn't able to make it, my flight got cancelled," Moretti told 11W. "I was disappointed but it is what what it is, I'll be back out there."
This weekend, Moretti and his Pomona (Arvada, Colorado) teammates will face Columbine in a semifinal matchup in the Colorado state playoffs. The Rebels beat Moretti's team 42-35 in a regular season game earlier this season.
HAYES IN-HOME SCHEDULED
Ohio State 2016 linebacker target Daelin Hayes is going to make a decision sometime in the next few weeks, as we've talked about a few times here. The four-star Ann Arbor product is visiting Michigan State this weekend and then will go into lockdown mode as he contemplates his decision, which will come from a trio of Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
One key thing for Hayes is going to be the in-home visits, and those are now on the books.
Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will make their final pitch on December 3rd and Brian Kelly from Notre Dame should be there on the 7th of December. Dantonio and the Spartans haven't finalized their plans, but it does appear a decision won't be made until after those visits take place.
Right now, it seems Ohio State, despite a big effort to get back into the game for Hayes, trails the Spartans and the Irish in the hunt for his services. The longstanding relationships at those two schools are something that can't be ignored and as we've said repeatedly, comfort and relationships is almost always the deciding factor in recruiting. Hayes likes the Buckeyes a lot, his parents are both completely on board with Urban Meyer and the school, but it's still hard to overcome years of relationship building.
