The Hurry Up: Ohio State Among Leaders for Elite Linebacker, Georgia Duo Enjoys Unofficial Visit and Four-Star Defensive End Has Seen All He Needs to Make Decision

BUCKEYE BROTHERHOOD

One of Ohio State's top junior targets, Toledo St. John's Jesuit linebacker Dallas Gant, was among the plethora of recruits on the sidelines prior to Saturday's thrashing of Nebraska.

"I had a good time and so did my family," Gant told Eleven Warriors. "[The best part is] just going to see the atmosphere and see the team play in person, since I haven't been to a game since last year. Also to see the coaches I haven't seen for a little bit and to watch some good football."

The 6-foot-3, 201-pounder took an unofficial visit for last season's win over Minnesota, but this marks his first game since earning an offer from Ohio State following a one-day instructional camp in June.

Considered the fourth-best player in the state and the No. 6 outside linebacker in the Class of 2018, Gant holds more than a dozen offers from schools such as Cincinnati, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh and UCLA. He told me Ohio State is among the leaders, though.

"Just the brotherhood and great atmosphere there [stand out], and obviously a tremendous football program," Gant said.

Gant ultimately hopes to make a decision before his senior year, so Saturday was likely the last game day visit he'll take prior to that date.

ISLAND BOYS

A pair of out-of-state sophomores in Saint Simons Island, Georgia, Frederica Academy teammates Ja'Shawn Sheffield and Jaylin Simpson also took an unofficial visit on Saturday. It was the duo's first trip to Columbus since Ohio State offered in early August.

O-H#uno #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/rxoLPoLXBc

— Jashawn Sheffield (@Jashawnsheff) November 5, 2016

“It was too much fun,” Sheffield told Eleven Warriors. “I really didn't know what to expect. It was great, though. I would've never predicted how great it would be.”

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is considered he top-rated wide receiver in the Class of 2019, holding more nearly 20 offers from some of the top programs in the country. Though he's visited schools like Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Tennessee, Sheffield said Ohio State was the best school he's been to.

“Outside of football, I really like what they do for the football players,” he said. “Having people come in and speak to them about careers. The business program is 16th in the country and that's one of the majors I'm interested in.”

Sheffield's teammate, Jaylin Simpson's (@jaylinsimp) face lit up when he walked down the ramp into the stadium. pic.twitter.com/Qqudxn1jZX

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) November 5, 2016

Simpson, meanwhile, is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound cornerback not yet rated by any major recruiting sites. He leads the Knights in receptions, yardage, touchdowns and interceptions, though.

“The entire trip and visit was great,” Simpson told Eleven Warriors. “You can tell the coaches and players work well together. The stadium experience is crazy, too.”

The pair spent most of their evening with assistant coaches Zach Smith and Corey Dennis.

“A lot of laughs,” Simpson said.

ON THE BACKSTRETCH ALREADY?

On a similar note, Saturday also marked the first visit to campus for Louisville, Kentucky, Trinity four-star defensive end Stephen Herron Jr. since the Buckeyes extended a scholarship offer in August.

“It was a great experience for my first time,” Herron told Eleven Warriors. “The crowd [stood out], and I got to meet [head coach] Urban Meyer.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore is considered the top-rated player in the Bluegrass State and the No. 15 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He also holds offers from Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville and Tennessee.

He's seen every school except Tennessee in person and said his trip to Ohio State far exceeded the others.

“I've seen what I've wanted from my schools,” Herron said. “Now, it's just seeing who will outdo each other.”

KICKERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO

Though scholarship offers aren't typically extended to a kicker early in the recruiting process, Ohio State has begun to show some interest in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina Pride placekicker Jason Stricker. The 5-foot-9, 135-pounder was also on campus Saturday.

@jstricker2019 Jason having his best recruiting visit ever at Ohio State. #GoBucks #OhioStateRecruiting #BuckeyeRecruiting pic.twitter.com/FMkmzZexBc

— Mike Stricker (@StrickerDynamic) November 5, 2016

“I've been coming to Ohio State games since I was very young,” Stricker told Eleven Warriors. “They want me to come up and win the kicking camp this summer and then they will talk more about [an offer].”

Stricker has attended a number of college camps over the last year, including those at Georgia and North Carolina State, but he longs for an offer from the Buckeyes. As for what sets him apart from other kickers?

“My ability to kickoff, punt and kick field goals at a high level makes me stand out, especially as a young kicker,” Stricker said. “I am also a 4.3 [grade point average] student and I'm very involved in my community with Young Life [Christian ministry] and a leadership academy.”

The sophomore aims to get a degree in engineering, so he's hoping to get an offer from schools such as Maryland, North Carolina State, Ohio State and/or Stanford.