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.
CLOSER TO A RESOLUTION
Cleveland Heights wide receiver Jaylen Harris was back in Columbus on Saturday for the first time since including Ohio State in his Top 5 schools in early August.
The top-rated receiver in Ohio, Cleveland Heights' @JHarris5_, is also on an unofficial visit. Buckeyes in Harris' Top 5 schools: pic.twitter.com/SPA1RbKget
— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) October 8, 2016
“Anytime I go down to Ohio State, it's not a new experience,” Harris told 247Sports ($). “I always have a nice time.”
The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is considered the fifth-best player in the state of Ohio and the No. 27 wide receiver in the Class of 2017, but was not the highest-ranked prospect in attendance. That honor belongs to No. 1 wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones, of course, but Harris said he received plenty of attention from the staff nonetheless.
“I talked to most everybody,” Harris said. “I talked to coach [Urban] Meyer both before and after the game.”
As previously mentioned, Harris narrowed down his list of 20 scholarship offers to Alabama, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee. Saturday's visit was in an unofficial capacity, but he plans to take an official visit soon.
“I [also] might go to the [Oct. 15] Tennessee-Alabama game and the [Oct. 22] Ohio State-Penn State game,” Harris said.
ONE POINT OF VIEW
Portsmouth Sciotoville East offensive lineman Blaine Scott was also in Columbus on Saturday.
Great day at The Ohio State University!!! @JB_Travis34 @Sweb79 @patbays_27 pic.twitter.com/dri2MVbmr1
— Blaine Scott (@blaine_scott54) October 9, 2016
“It was phenomenal. I had a great time,” Scott told Eleven Warriors. “The atmosphere is always great, and talking and socializing with the coaches [was the best part].”
The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder was able to speak with offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, offensive coordinator Ed Warinner and director of player personnel Mark Pantoni.
“They just asked about my season,” he said.
Even though a number of other high-priority targets were on hand, Scott said he felt like the coaches gave him plenty of attention. And as for the game itself?
“It was definitely a physical Big Ten game with a lot of grind up front running the ball,” he said. “It was an awesome game to watch as a lineman.”
Scott, who stands 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, is considered the 15th-best player in the state and the No. 17 offensive guard in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 26 scholarship offers from programs such as Arkansas, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Louisville, Marshall, Miami, Michigan State, North Carolina, Pitt, Syracuse, Toledo and Vanderbilt.
HOMETOWN GLORY
Marion-Franklin may be off to a rough 1-6 start this season, but offensive lineman Travis Geiger has been a bright spot for the Red Devils. Schools like Ohio State have begun to take notice of the 6-foot-5, 302-pound junior, who was invited by the Buckeyes to Saturday's game against Indiana.
OSU game with my favorite football player pic.twitter.com/UjOTlSpyW1
— lil nauti (@theylovenauti) October 9, 2016
“It was great,” Geiger told Eleven Warriors. “The first half, I was shocked. I didn't think it would be that close.”
Geiger is not currently ranked by any recruiting websites and does not have any offers at this time, but said an offer from Ohio State would mean the world to him.
“It's my favorite to team [and] my hometown team,” he said. “My family loves Ohio State. I would be very grateful. That's why I know I must work hard on and off the field.”
And what would separate Geiger his fellow linemen in the Class of 2018?
“I feel I'm very coachable and can learn quick,” he added. “[I'm a] born leader and athletic for my size.”
IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS
Another in-state prospect who unofficially visited this weekend was Cincinnati Woods freshman cornerback Mi'Quan Grace. He made the trip with his father and teammates Jerron Cage — an Ohio State commit — and Christopher Oats.
JUST A KID FROM OHIO....... pic.twitter.com/PJydlkbqfF
— @MiQuanGrace5 (@MiquanGrace3) October 8, 2016
“I loved the atmosphere,” Grace told Eleven Warriors. “[I was] very impressed with the defensive backs. They were very aggressive.”
The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder has a great relationship with defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs, so it was no surprise to hear they spent some time together prior to the game. Grace said his favorite thing, though, was seeing all of the other prospects on the sidelines.
“I bumped into my guy Donovan Peoples-Jones and a few other recruits,” he said.
Grace does not have a scholarship offer from Ohio State, but was one of the more impressive athletes — in my opinion — at Friday Night Lights. He told me afterward Ohio State would shoot to the top of his list if an offer was extended, which is why he's already planning a return trip.
“I'll be back real soon,” he said.
A TRIP TO THE DMV
One of the top defensive tackles — Owings Mills, Maryland, McDonogh's P.J. Mustipher — was also on the sidelines prior to Saturday's game.
The @KingPJ55 has arrived at @OhioStateFB @TheOpening @ToddHuberSS @SWiltfong247 @CraigHaubert @HamiltonESPN pic.twitter.com/tgpwJ5M3Zi
— #GETNOTICED (@TheHSFBProspect) October 8, 2016
It was Mustipher's second trip to Ohio Stadium, as he attended the 2012 Michigan game with his brother Sam, whom the Buckeyes were recruiting at that time — he ultimately signed with Notre Dame in 2014.
“It was a good game,” Mustipher told 247Sports ($). “I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The atmosphere was crazy. I've never seen anything like the pep rally [Skull Session]. I just had a great time overall.”
The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder is considered the fourth-best player at his position and the No. 45 player overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds offers from 16 schools, including Alabama, Duke, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee. The Buckeyes offered back in March.
“I got a chance to talk to all the coaches,” Mustipher said. “I chatted it up with coach [Larry] Johnson. I like how he teaches his players. He likes my strength and quickness.”
