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.
KEANDRE JONES MAKING OFFICIAL THIS WEEKEND
Just a short while ago, we broke the news that Ohio State would be hosting another big-time official visitor this weekend: Maryland linebacker commitment Keandre Jones.
Jones, a four-star linebacker ranked as the country's ninth-best at the position, has been committed to the Terrapins since December of 2014. In recent months, the contact between he and the Buckeyes has remained consistent as he's kept his options, at least quietly, open.
Yesterday, Luke Fickell stopped and talked with Jones and as I mentioned in The Hurry Up last night, there was at least a little hope an official visit for the Good Counsel star could be worked in this weekend.
Ohio State continues to be one of a two schools, Florida being the other, that is hoping to flip the four-star linebacker. The Buckeyes are hoping to convince Jones to make his way to Columbus for an official visit, maybe even for this weekend.
Whether or not Jones ends up flipping from Maryland to Ohio State is anything but a certainty, but the visit isn't being made just for fun. The Buckeyes want another linebacker in their 2016 class and the Under-Armour All-American is one of the nation's most explosive hitters; a player the Buckeyes have been watching closely for some time now.
Don't be surprised if Jones makes a trip to Florida in the near future as well, but there's also a little bit of a connection with the next guy we'll talk about...
HASKINS AND LSU, WHAT GIVES?
Again, not to keep going back to last night, but in The Hurry Up, I posted that Dwayne Haskins would not visit LSU this weekend but that the door was, at least partially, open for a visit to LSU next weekend if Cam Cameron, LSU's offensive coordinator, could convince him to make the trek. Haskins' cousin, Kevin Toliver, a defensive back for the Tigers, has continued to work hard to try and deliver Haskins to Baton Rouge.
Today, according to a number of LSU reports, Haskins has agreed to make that trip next weekend, which, if it happens, would be a frustrating and disappointing outcome for the Buckeyes, who are hoping that his recruitment comes to an end soon.
It appears as if #Maryland QB commit Dwayne Haskins will visit #LSU after all https://t.co/FWpqlDD3vb
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) January 15, 2016
So, here's what I think happens, and right now, it's primarily conjecture with a touch of educated guessing thrown in for good measure. I think that Haskins, who has also been considering one final visit to Maryland before making a decision, will not visit LSU next weekend, despite how good any visit with Cameron may have gone.
What I know is that the Haskins' camp has tried very hard to keep information about what Dwayne is doing quiet and while it's likely they've discussed a trip to Baton Rouge, I just don't see it ultimately happening. Could I be wrong? Sure, but in my mind the decision to not go to LSU this weekend, when a number of big-time targets for the Tigers are expected, was telling. Cam Cameron and Les Miles also visited former Rutgers' commit Anthony Russo today and there's rumors Russo will also visit LSU, which seems to be more likely a scenario as I see it.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, JR. LISTS TOP FIVE
The Buckeyes are near the top of the list for a number of major 2017 wide receiver prospects and because of that, a few names that might normally carry a bit more weight have been left to the shadows as we chase down every lead. One of those names, Calabasas, California wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, Jr. dropped his Top Five schools last night and it's no surprise that the Buckeyes made the cut.
Bless up pic.twitter.com/S9hYmoJT1m
— Keyshawn Jr. (@keyshawnnnn) January 15, 2016
Johnson, a cousin of future NFL'er and former Buckeye Michael Thomas, has been to Columbus a handful of times in the last few years and the Buckeyes have continued to watch his growth and development.
USC and Ohio State may seem like the most natural "fit" for Johnson, but reports from the Left Coast continue to place Nebraska as perhaps the most likely landing spot for the country's 26th-ranked wide out. His father, a former NFL number one overall pick, played for Cornhuskers' coach Mike Riley.
UPDATING THE WEEKEND'S OFFICIAL VISITORS
So, with the addition of Jones, here's what the latest on this weekend's official visitors looks like.
★★★★★ Mecole Hardman • ATH
★★★★ Jordan Fuller • DB
★★★★ Damar Hamlin • DB
★★★★ Keandre Jones • LB
★★★ Malik Harrison • ATH
★★★ Kareem Felder • DB (Buckeye commitment)
Akron Archbishop Hoban athlete Jonah Morris has been discussed as a possible visitor this weekend but according to a number of people I've talked to throughout the week it seems like he will not make the trip.
Eleven Warriors will have updates on as many of these players as possible come Sunday.
