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.
BREAKING DOWN BISHOP GORMAN GANG
Another day, another Buckeyes' and Bishop Gorman update.
This morning in Columbus, five-star Tyjon Lindsey arrived at Ohio State for the first day of a weekend-long visit while two other West Coast stars, five-star quarterback Tate Martell and four-star defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, are departing.
We'll start with Martell, and what I think happens. I'll come out straight away and say it: I I think–at least barring another meltdown in College Station or Kevin Sumlin leaving–that he stays with A&M.
I am convinced that the Buckeyes showed Martell a number of reasons why he would be a good fit in their offense, the school, the program, etc. However, despite obvious enthusiasm about his visit, it's one trip to a school that he's never been before and Ohio State is trying to stack up against a place (A&M) that he's been to over and over and over. The lack of depth in the Aggies' quarterback room contrasted against potentially three or four other Buckeye quarterbacks is something that always has to be considered. It's not "being afraid of competition," so let's make sure that gets tossed out right now: it's just smart. I could get into more of the details of the visit but the main points are these:
- Tate really liked it at Ohio State
- Ohio State likes Tate, they did a great job establishing themselves in his recruitment moving foward
- I fully expect, at this point, things to continue conversationally between the two sides, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him for an official visit next fall before enrolling early.
- It's still A&M right now.
Moving on to Haskell Garrett, who has been at Ohio State since Monday, but left this afternoon.
It was such a great visit. It's hard to leave home, but can't wait to come back!
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) March 25, 2016
When he arrived on Monday after a two-day trip to Notre Dame, there were a number of folks who felt that things might've evened up between the Buckeyes and the Irish, but it appears that, for now, things are all good on the Garrett front.
Haskell Garrett greeting Sam Hubbard as the Buckeyes concluded their Thursday morning, March 24th, 2016 practice.
During the week, Garrett was all over campus and the football program, getting to truly experience life as a Buckeye football player and as a Buckeye student, an instrumental piece of the puzzle for a player that takes both sides equally serious.
Last night, Garrett and his family spent the evening having dinner at the home of Marcus Williamson, who is in town for the week on Spring Break from IMG. It's all about building a real, solid foundation for Garrett and his future teammates. Right now, things are exactly where they need to be.
"I can't wait to go to war with these guys," the four-star lineman told 11W this afternoon. "I can honestly call them my brothers."
Any concern I had about Notre Dame coming off the stop in South Bend is gone. Time, though, will certainly lend to some more challenges and likely more visits from Garrett to other places, and most likely a stop to at least Notre Dame for an official visit this fall.
JAYLEN HARRIS BACK AT OHIO STATE TOMORROW
One of Ohio's best 2017 prospects will be at Ohio State tomorrow, but it will actually be for the second time this week. Cleveland Heights' wide receiver Jaylen Harris is heading back to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes' first scrimmage of 2016.
"I was actually down there (Tuesday) with my school, but didn't get a chance to talk with any coaches," Harris told 11W. "I'm going back Saturday."
Harris was offered by Ohio State last summer, but has held off from making a college choice. His recruitment is being handled primarily by Tony Alford, though lately he's been talking more and more to the Buckeyes' head coach.
"Me and (Tony) Alford are still talking, but I've been talking to (Urban) Meyer a lot lately," Harris said. "We have a good relationship."
There's no timeline for a Harris decision, but the Buckeyes are still widely considered the team to beat for his signature.
EVIDENCE NJOKU WANTS TO KEEP HEARING FROM OHIO STATE
Ohio State was very close to landing New Jersey wide receiver David Njoku, who signed with Miami and is now playing tight end for the Hurricanes. In the 2017 class, his younger brother Evidence Njoku, is beginning to see his recruitment take off.
A 6-foot-4, 196-pounder from Cedar Grove, Njoku sits with 15 offers, including scholarships from Miami, Boston College, Georgia, Georgia, Pitt, Tennessee and others. He says that in the last month his phone has been ringing more than ever but that as he's started talking to a number of other schools he's heard less from Ohio State and assistant Ed Warinner, a school he's liked since the recruitment of his brother.
"I know David was really feeling them," he said of the Buckeyes. "I'm trying to wrap up my recruiting and Ohio State is like, top five on my list. The last time I talked to (Ed) Warinner was like a month ago, before my recruiting 'blew up.' Ohio State has a drive to win national titles and I think I could wreak havoc in their offense. (Warinner) said that he liked my tape and that he wants to come up to New Jersey to see me."
The Buckeyes are one team that he wants to hear more from. A lot of schools are in contact about a potential offer for the country's 94th-ranked wide receiver.
"I've been talking to Georgia, Tennessee, NC State, Miami, Missouri, Maryland and and Pitt the most, " he said. "Oregon has been recruiting me hard–I talk to them every day– I think they will offer soon. I've visited Penn State and Rutgers."
Njoku wants to narrow down his list and he has a pretty good idea of what he's looking for in a college football program.
"There's many aspect I think to it," he said. "The education comes first. What kind of degrees they offer that I could benefit from in the long run. Then, it's how the team is built, more specifically the offense –– like how the scheme is. How the players are, too, is a big one, like how close everyone is and everything."
Having a brother go through the modern recruiting process and a college coaching change in the last two years has helped Njoku see the ins and outs, the ups and downs of the business that is college football.
"I feel like it gives me insight on how it really goes next level and what to expect," Njoku said. "It's a big business."
Njoku will visit Miami on April 7th.
STEPP UP, TOO
Ohio State lost out on a visit from one Indianapolis Cathedral standout this weekend when Notre Dame landed a commitment from 2017 linebacker Pete Werner but they're going to see the Hoosier State's top 2018 prospect instead.
Ohio State Saturday #Buckeyes
— Markese Stepp (@markese_stepp) March 24, 2016
Running back Markese Stepp, who has an offer from Notre Dame, Michigan State, Iowa and Tennessee among his 10, will be back in Columbus for the fifth time since last summer. The 6-foot-tall, 205-pound Stepp has been at Penn State, Michigan State and Iowa in recent weekends.
Ohio State has not yet offered, but Stepp was identified early by Kerry Coombs and he's been a driving force in the recruitment. Notre Dame is the unquestioned leader in this race, but five visits to see the Buckeyes in less than a year isn't something that should be overlooked.
