The Hurry Up is your nightly dose of updates from the Ohio State football recruiting trail, keeping tabs on the latest from commits and targets from around the country.
D-WADE
Englewood, New Jersey, Pope John three-star defensive tackle Dalyn Wade-Perry took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to announce his top six schools. The 6-foot-3, 341-pounder trimmed his list of more than 20 offers down to Florida State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Stanford and UCLA.
NEW TOP 6 ALERT pic.twitter.com/tDwtopm0z3
— DWP (@DalynWP) September 27, 2016
The Buckeyes currently hold commitments from two of the top 10 defensive tackles in the country in Cincinnati Winton Woods' Jerron Cage and Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman's Haskell Garrett, and were mentioned earlier this week in the final seven for South Jordan, Utah, Bingham's Jay Tufele.
Throw in recent interest from top-rated defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, it's highly unlikely Wade-Perry chooses the Buckeyes when it's all said and done.
Nevertheless, the 28th-best defensive tackle in the country told NJ.com that he's eyeing a visit to Columbus this fall.
“I've set up one official visit so far to Florida State for Thanksgiving weekend,” he said. “I'm speaking to a few other schools right now to set up other official visits. I'm talking with Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, Ohio State and Stanford.”
The Cardinal are the favorites to land Wade-Perry, but the Scarlet Knights have made a push under head coach Chris Ash.
“I like coach Ash a lot,” he said. “He has brought a lot of energy to the program. I see a good upward slope for how things are going over there.”
If Ash is to turn the program around, keeping talent like Wade-Perry in the Garden State is crucial.
SERIOUS INTEREST?
Kennedale, Texas, five-star linebacker Baron Browning is one of Ohio State's top remaining targets for the Class of 2017, thus he'll take an official visit to Columbus on Nov. 26, just three days before he and four-star linebacker Anthony Hines announce their college destinations.
Before that, however, he will get up close and personal with the Buckeyes' biggest rival.
Official Visit to Michigan this week #GoBlue #BluePrint17 pic.twitter.com/Kwy5XZzzrS
— Baron Browning (@baronbrwnng) September 27, 2016
Browning announced in April a Top 10 of Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio State, TCU, Texas, UCLA and USC. He took the first of his five official visits during the Longhorns' season-opening, double-overtime win over the Fighting Irish.
Browning is the younger brother of former Stanford defensive back Barry Browning, who played in Palo Alto under Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“My main thing is getting developed,” Browning told The Detroit News. “I want to be a technician. I feel like there are a lot of areas I can be better in. So, when I look into a school, I'm looking — as far as my position coach — if he can really develop me.”
DOUBLE TEAM
Ohio State wide receiver commit Tyjon Lindsey will take an official visit on Oct. 29 when Ohio State hosts Northwestern, and he'll bring one of the top-rated defensive backs in the Class of 2018 with him. Lindsey and Calabasas, California, four-star cornerback Brendan Radley-Hiles are cousins and have been talking a lot recently about playing together at the next level.
I mess with Ohio St. heavy. @TheTateMartell @tyjonlindsey
— Brendan Radley-Hiles (@Bookie_44) September 21, 2016
“It doesn't make a major factor [in my decision], but it would be nice if it happened,” Radley-Hiles told Eleven Warriors.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is considered the eighth-best corner in his recruiting cycle, and currently holds more than 20 offers from schools such as Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, UCLA and USC.
“Ohio State really just says that I can get to the [National Football] League with a great degree in my hands for future references,” Radley-Hiles said. “I could see myself in Columbus regardless of my cousin being committed.”
Radley-Hiles is most looking forward to getting to know the coaches and seeing what the city and fans have to offer. But he's in no hurry to make a decision on his college future.
“I'm just here to work my tail off in the classroom, be the best human I can be and be the most coachable player on the field,” he said. “My work ethic will present itself with my play, and [Ohio State would] be getting a guy who is passionate about his craft and won't ever fold no matter how much adversity I face.”
DEFENDING THE BORDER FROM THE SOUTH
Ohio State defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs has played a significant role in Ohio State's renewed focus on Cincinnati area. Most recruits, including Winton Woods' Mi'Quan Grace, cite their relationship with the energetic assistant as the reason for their interest in the Buckeyes.
“Coach Coombs in awesome,” Grace told Eleven Warriors.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound freshman has grown nearly four inches and gained more than 30 pounds in the past year alone, which is why schools like Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida State, Iowa, Kentucky and Michigan State have show interest. Only the Bearcats and Wildcats have offered thus far, with the latter inviting Grace to Lexington for an unofficial visit over the weekend.
ME & MY BROS AT THE UK VS SOUTH CAROLINA GAME @JalenEngleman32 GIANNI pic.twitter.com/UBlZp1jm03
— @MiQuanGrace5 (@MiquanGrace3) September 24, 2016
“I just like coach [Mark] Stoops' approach,” Grace said. “[Defensive coordinator Steve] Clinkscale gives me a lot of confidence with his coaching style.”
Grace will try to take another unofficial visit this winter, but also plans to take trips to Michigan State and Ohio State before the season is over. He'll likely come to Columbus this fall with teammates Jerron Cage — and Ohio State commit — and Christopher Oats.
WAYNE'S WORLD
Huber Heights Wayne defensive end Alex Reigelsperger announced on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that he will take an unofficial visit to Ohio State for this weekend's game against Rutgers.
Osu this weekend
— Alex Reigelsperger (@a_reigelsperger) September 27, 2016
“I can't wait. I've been waiting to get a chance to go up there,” he told Eleven Warriors. “I'm also excited to see Rutgers play since I have an offer from there, as well. So I'm excited.”
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound junior does not yet have an offer from Ohio State, but hopes to come away from the visit with one in hand.
“It would be [a dream],” he said. “[I'd like] to get some time to catch up with coach [Urban] Meyer and [Larry] Johnson. Coach Meyer was at our school last Friday, so some more time to talk to him.”
As mentioned previously, NCAA rules don't allow contact with a recruit before July 1 following following the completion of his/her junior year of high school outside of campus visits. That contact is defined as any face-to-face encounter with a recruit that exceeds an exchange of a greeting, he and Meyer would have only been allowed to exchanged pleasantries in the hallway.
Reigelsperger is considered the 17h-best prospect in the state of Ohio, and currently holds offers from Iowa, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers and Western Michigan.
