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.
QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL AND TRYING TO PLAY THE ODDS
Let's get to it, shall we? Heading into Saturday's Under-Armour All-American game, there was a thought among those in Columbus and among Ohio State commitments that Maryland quarterback commit Dwayne Haskins Jr. could end up a Buckeye this weekend.
That didn't happen.
Meanwhile, Ohio State has increased its push to land Texas A&M five-star transfer Kyle Allen, who visited a Buckeyes' practice last week while they were in Arizona. Obviously if the Buckeyes land Allen, Haskins is out, and vice-versa, so the question of "who makes the most sense" is being bandied about and there's not really a clear-cut answer.
Since his official visit to Columbus the weekend of Dec. 11, Haskins' social media presence has increased and with it has come a stream of pro-Florida, pro-Maryland, pro-virtually anyone but Ohio State stuff, despite the very positive vibes from Ohio State sources about where they stood. At one time it was believed he'd almost certainly not end up at Maryland but the tide seems to be trending back towards the Terrapins, and he's expected to make an official visit to College Park in a few weeks.
With Allen, it appears his decision is coming soon and the Buckeyes–along with Houston–seem to be the two schools most involved at this point. As noted last week, Allen has not been to Ohio State since the summer of 2012 and he's certainly got a better relationship with Tom Herman, who recruited him for the Buckeyes, than he does with anyone on the current Ohio State staff. That said, there's no guarantee that, by the time he's eligible to play at Houston, Herman would even be there as a number of big opportunities are sure to come his way.
There's going to be a resolution here one way or the other soon, but as of now, there's no clear-cut answer beyond "Who wants in first?" The longer Allen waits, the better it is for Ohio State, I think, because it gives the Buckeyes' staff a chance to catch up on the relationship front.
Some more food for thought? Tim Beck's two most recent Twitter follows are Kyle Allen and former Gator quarterback Will Grier.
CORLEY COMMITTING THIS WEEKEND
Sunday, Donnie Corley, the country's 19th-ranked wide receiver, arrived in San Antonio. One of the finalists for the US Army Player of the Year, Corley will enjoy a week of fun, practice and bonding with fellow All-Americans and, on Saturday, make his college decision.
From The Detroit News:
“I’m going to make my decision on Jan. 9 at the Army game, then enroll on the 11th,” Corley told The Detroit News on Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t have a top three. I’m still looking at Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee and Notre Dame.”
While Corley's list shows five schools still in the mix, most people believe that this race will ultimately come down to Ohio State and Michigan State, with the Spartans, the long-time leader, now trying to play catch up with Corley. Momentum has been swinging in the Buckeyes' favor since his official visit last month.
Ohio State has six commitments in San Antonio and Michigan State will have four so there's no doubt that the Buckeyes and Spartans will be all over Corley as he leads up to his decision.
OKUDAH RELEASES NEW TOP 10, SAYS THERE'S NO LEADER
Over the summer, the country's top-ranked 2017 safety, Texas' Jeffrey Okudah, listed the Buckeyes as his favorite following a June trip to Columbus.
Okudah's primary recruiter at Ohio State, Chris Ash, is now gone to Rutgers and with it, Okudah's best relationship with any coach. The Buckeyes are now playing "get to know you" all over again and because of that, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder from Grand Prairie says he's got no leader among his newly released top 10 schools.
Top 10! #GodisLove pic.twitter.com/PQ5sKjHo08
— Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) January 3, 2016
"There's no clear-cut favorite" Okudah told 11W on Sunday morning after the departure of Ash. "I have been talking to Greg Schiano, Kerry Coombs and Tim Beck, though."
The conversations with Schiano, Ohio State's newest assistant coach, have been good for Okudah. He says he's looking into his next visit to see the Buckeyes."
"He's a great guy," Okudah said of Schiano. "I'm thinking about a possible spring game visit, but I will for sure be back before my senior season."
BUCKEYES IN TOP TWO FOR LAWRENCE
Defensive tackle recruiting continues to be one of the top needs for the Ohio State staff, and there was a bit of good news over the weekend as the Buckeyes were listed alongside LSU as the top of Rashard Lawrence's list. While the in-state Tigers are still considered the favorite here, many had thought Alabama was also ahead of the Buckeyes in the chase for the five-star defensive tackle who currently claims to have no leader.
Lawrence told Rivals.com what was most important to him when it comes to finding a school, and the Buckeyes definitely get a checkmark on two of the three things. The list included early playing time, coaching stability, and a place where he feels at home.
LSU just hired former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda over the weekend, and it will be important for him to build the relationship with Lawrence during the in-home visits later this month. The Monroe, Louisiana product has spoken highly of Larry Johnson and the opportunity for early playing time is certainly there, but the proximity to Baton Rouge is impossible to ignore.
The Ohio State coaching staff is also expected to stop by for an in-home visit after the dead period. The five-star will make an announcement after the in-homes are complete.
GRIMES SHINES AT FUTURE 50
Several 2017 targets were in action at the Under Armour Future 50 Camp this weekend and they did not disappoint. Top wide receiver target Trevon Grimes was identified as the top offensive performer at the event.
2017 5-star WR Trevon Grimes is a headache to contain at 6-foot-4. No. 1 WR on @scoutrecruiting @TrevonGrimes7 pic.twitter.com/mCX3LsYiw4
— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) January 1, 2016
Donovan Peoples-Jones, another top target at wideout, was listed as the fifth-best performer. The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder listed Michigan and Ohio State as the two schools recruiting him the hardest right now. He plans to release a top ten within the next month.
A trio of familiar defenders took home honors as well. The aforementioned Jeffrey Okudah took home top honors for defense. Buckeye commit Isaiah Pryor checked in at No. 3 on the list of top defender. The big defensive back rotated between safety and corner despite there being some talk about his potential future at linebacker. Fellow commit Shaun Wade — who spent much of the day trying to slow down Trevon Grimes — was recognized as the seventh-best defender.
You're familiar no doubt with the term "iron sharpens iron?" Here's Shaun Wade and the aforementioned Grimes sharpening one another.
CB Shaun Wade and WR Trevon Grimes, two of Florida's very best in '17. Future teammates at #OhioState? @RyanGinnBSB pic.twitter.com/vuxLSMrqCg
— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) January 1, 2016
In this case it may be less sharpening being done by Grimes and more bludgeoning, but nonetheless, it's a good look at potentially two future Buckeyes.
