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.
BUCKEYES IN ISAIAH WILSON'S TOP (FINAL?) FIVE
2017 five-star offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson tweeted yesterday morning that he had "major" news coming. The 6-foot-7, 320-pounder from Brooklyn (New York) Poly Prep visited Michigan two weeks ago and it's been rumored since that the Wolverines may have taken an insurmountable lead in his recruitment. So, later in the evening, a cryptic tweet from Michigan running back coach Tyrone Wheatley seemed to imply some big news could be coming from New York.
Is Brooklyn in the house? - Without a doubt, Biggie Smalls the fella with clout everybody yapping about...The Notorious B.I.G!
— Tyrone Wheatley (@CoachWheat6) February 18, 2016
Wilson today released what that news was, and it wasn't a commitment to the Maize and Blue, but rather a "final five" schools list. That list included Michigan, of course, but also the Buckeyes.
Final 5 pic.twitter.com/aGpwnDAzCZ
— Zayaa (@Asteria74) February 19, 2016
There are a few factors against the Buckeyes in their pursuit of Wilson, he's not yet been to Ohio State and has–on more than one occasion openly rooted against the Scarlet and Gray in favor of Michigan–but the longer a decision takes be finalized (publicized?) the more opportunity Greg Studrawa, Ed Warinner and Urban Meyer have to convince the five-star Columbus may be right for him. Of course, with Josh Myers and Jake Moretti already committed, that still won't be easy sell no matter what.
COACHING CHANGES BEHIND THE SCENES IMPACT RECRUITS
We've talked before about how coaching changes impact a recruit as they go through their process, but sometimes what's overlooked is how often it happens, and not always head coaches, etc. Take for example the case of Detroit Cass Tech 2017 defensive back Jaylen Kelly-Powell, who, in the last few weeks, has been all over the region with his Cass Tech teammates checking out schools and coaching staffs. Sounds like a perfect time to build relationships, right?
Well…
"I went to Kentucky and the next day their defensive back coach goes to Alabama," Kelly-Powell said of how inconsistency in a coaching staff can impact his relationships. "I go visit West Virginia and their defensive back coach goes to Virginia Tech three days later. My recruiter and defensive back coach at Stanford? He retired on Tuesday, then the defensive back coach for Michigan goes to the (Dallas) Cowboys."
So, with the back and forth from place-to-place and the changes all around him, Kelly-Powell, the country's 15th-ranked safety in 2017, says he's just trying to help do his part in getting teammates some attention.
"All this traveling is getting tiring," he said. "It's more about my teammates than me. We are trying to get them in front of the coaches to help get them offers when they ask for me to visit. All the offers are nice, but I can only choose one place."
Kelly-Powell is planning to visit Stanford this spring and says he hopes to get back to Ohio State soon for a practice. He's confident that despite all the fluctuation nationally that Kerry Coombs will be a part of the Buckeyes' program for years to come.
"Ohio State has stay consistent in the whole process," Kelly-Powell added. "My relationship with Coach Coombs is phenomenal. As soon as I get the spring practice schedule for (the Buckeyes), I will back down for sure."
MARKELL JOHNSON'S CRAZY DUNK
The Buckeyes may still be considering the addition of another player to their 2016 basketball recruiting class, but they know for sure that they want to bring aboard 2017 Cleveland East Technical's Markell Johnson, one of the most dynamic athletes in the country at his position.
How dynamic? Let's take a look at this dunk that happened in a game.
Got Live Last Night pic.twitter.com/mpXsaBXq9y
— Markell Johnson (@kells_2017) February 19, 2016
Johnson is a 6-foot-tall point guard that Ohio State offered in late January and when you see explosiveness like that, it's easy to understand why.
GAHANNA FRESHMAN EARNS BUCKEYES' OFFER
Speaking of players coveted by Thad Matta, Jeff Boals and the Buckeyes, yesterday Ohio State made their first in-state 2019 offer, to Gahanna Lincoln's Jordan Mitchell. The offer is Mitchell's first.
God is GREAT!! Blessed to receive my first full ride offer from The Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/xT72O0YJT4
— Jordan Mitchell (@jay_mitch23) February 19, 2016
Mitchell is 6-foot-6 and 190-pound freshman for the Golden Lions and ranked the top player in Central Ohio by 270Hoops.com. He visited the Buckeyes with this past Tuesday night when Ohio State hosted and defeated Michigan.
