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.
WADING IT OUT
We mentioned yesterday that Ohio State cornerback commit Shaun Wade made an impromptu visit to Alabama with his father on Friday. The elder Wade had never been to Tuscaloosa, so the pair made a short trip from Montgomery where they were staying with family to avoid Hurricane Matthew.
5-star CB Shaun Wade's father talks flip possibility from Ohio State; The latest with Alex Leatherwood | https://t.co/msQrMdkhCQ pic.twitter.com/RnuZO6eDvl
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 12, 2016
“I haven't been everywhere, but their dorms really threw me for a loop,” Wade told SEC Country. “I was like, 'Whoa.' At the end of the day, I don't think it's going to be a [big] decision-maker because that's not going to get you anywhere as far as education or in sports.”
The 6-foot-1, 177-pound Wade, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Trinity Christian, is considered the third-best cornerback and No. 18 player overall in the Class of 2017. He committed to Ohio State is January 2015, but it's clear Alabama is a legitimate threat to flip him from his pledge.
The Crimson Tide hold a significant advantage in distance from home, but Wade's father said it is not going to be a factor at all.
“It's ultimately about the relationships he has with the coaches,” Randy Wade said. “It's his decision at the end of the day, and people are going to believe what they want. I understand people are going to say [Alabama] is close, but I think it's crazy. His relationships with the Alabama staff is going to be what brings him over there, and not just because he was born there.”
Now don't read into that too much because the elder Wade is only speaking hypothetically, especially because their relationship is much stronger with Ohio State.
“We're a lot closer to Ohio State's coaching staff,” he said. “At the end of the day, it's just about what he wants more. He knows the schools that give him the best chance for the NFL. He knows the places that have a better-than-average education. He just now has to pick which one he wants.
“Of course, if he wanted to stay closer to home, the two choices would be Florida or Alabama right now,” Randy Wade continued. “He has all of these options. Now he just needs to see which one is going to fit him the best.”
Wade will be back at Alabama for an official visit on Oct. 22. He also plans to travel to Columbus for the Nov. 5 game against Nebraska before ultimately reaffirming his commitment or flipping to another school in late November or early December.
IN DUE TIME
Though he's considered one of Ohio State's top remaining targets for the Class of 2017, there hasn't been much to report on Clinton, Mississippi, five-star running back Cam Akers over the last few weeks.
The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder unofficially visited Florida State, Georgia and Ole Miss earlier this fall, but remains focused on his senior season.
Akers accepted his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey during a ceremony at his school on Wednesday, after which he spoke with 247Sports' Barton Simmons.
Akers Presented with U.S. Army All-American Jersey at CHS https://t.co/UJWrJRoQVn
— Robert Chapman (@ChapmanRobert) October 12, 2016
“It's a tremendous honor for me and my family and the town of Clinton,” Akers said. “I went to the game in the ninth grade because I was playing in the USA [National Developmental] game. It was a dream of mine to be able to play in it.”
The second-ranked running back and the No. 8 prospect overall for his recruiting cycle, Akers has accounted for more than 2,250 all-purpose yards for the undefeated Arrows this season. He holds more than 20 scholarship offers, but is strongly considering those from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
The Buckeyes are the Crystal Ball favorite for Akers, who said he hopes to set up an official visit to Columbus later this fall.
“I'm definitely very interested in Ohio State,” he said. “I've got a good relationship with coach [Urban] Meyer and coach [Tony] Alford.”
Akers is also very interested in Alabama, and will get to see the Crimson Tide up close over the next two week. He's set for an official visit to Tennessee this weekend, followed by a trip to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 22.
“Just the way they do things, the tradition they have at running back and as a school in general, they win,” Akers said. “The running back situation — the running backs they have there now — they're doing their thing. But I feel like nobody's come in and been that [Heisman Trophy winner] Derek Henry. They're still looking for the guy to be that guy. That's kind of appealing for Alabama to not have that guy. I feel like I could possibly do that.”
Akers is expected to announce his decision in early December so that he can enroll early at his school of choice.
PICK SIX LINEAGE
Redshirt sophomore safety Malik Hooker has been a pleasant surprise for Ohio State this season, intercepting four passes and returning one for a touchdown in only five games as a starter. And yet some think his brother, Marcus, can be even better.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been on campus several times to see Malik, including Saturday's game against Indiana.
“[It was] great,” Hooker told Eleven Warriors. “I got to go meet players and speak to some of them.”
The elder Hooker nearly had his second interception return for a score, but it was called back on a chop block — which, for what it's worth, was the right call because you can't block below the waist on a change of possession.
“It's wonderful seeing my brother make great plays,” Hooker said. “My brother's my role model and makes me want to be successful just like he is.”
Considered the eight-best player in Pennsylvania and the No. 28 corner in the Class of 2018, Hooker currently holds offers from Bowling Green, Temple, Toledo and West Virginia.
HOOSIERS ON THE RISE
I've said all summer if it weren't for an injury that forced Pickerington Central running back Morgan Ellison to miss nearly all of his sophomore and junior years, he'd be included in our weekly Select '17 tracker. Instead, the 6-foot, 225-pounder is only considered a three-star prospect with offers from Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Ohio and Toledo.
I caught up with Ellison on Tuesday night as he prepares for the Tigers' big game with Pickerington North, at which time he said Boston College, Indiana and Purdue have all begun to show major interest.
“I like Indiana a lot,” Ellison told Eleven Warriors. “I've started to form a great relationship with the running backs coach [Deland McCullough]. It's nice there. [I get a] great feeling.”
Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell was in attendance as Ellison rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns just a few weeks back, but he said the Buckeyes have backed off in their recruitment. All this despite the fact that Ellison has rushed for 909 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and averaged more than 10 yards per carry.
“I have not talked with them [recently,” he said. “I'm definitely looking around.”
