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.
MORE ON TUFELE
We mentioned earlier today South Jordan, Utah, Bingham four-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele set his official visit to Ohio State for the Nov. 26 game against Michigan.
Its official I will be taking my 2nd official visit too Ohio state university for the Michigan game! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/orbaMdBgLj
— Jay Tufele (@tufele123) November 9, 2016
The 6-foot-3, 297-pounder listed both the Buckeyes and Wolverines in his Top 7 in late September, and most prognosticators believe his decision will ultimately come down to the rival schools. Tufele also mentioned BYU, UCLA, USC, Utah and Washington, but things are trending toward him leaving the region following his official visit to Ann Arbor late last month.
“Tufele, from all accounts, loved his visit [to Michigan],” Land of 10's Brandon Justice reported. “A source near him during the visit said he was seriously into it the entire time, and it sounds like Michigan made up some serious ground during the trip.”
The Wolverines currently have pledges from six defensive linemen, which would create a lot of competition for someone who hopes to play as a true freshman as Tufele does.
“The question,” Justice added, “is whether he wants to get involved in that big of a competition. As a Top 50 player in the country, you would think he would be confident, and he probably is.”
Ohio State, for comparison's sake, has only three committed defensive linemen in five-star end Chase Young and four-star tackles Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage.
Tufele is expected to announce his college decision at the U.S. Army All-American Game on Jan. 7, 2017.
BEACHIN'
Pompano Beach, Florida, North Broward Prep four-star wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. announced on Twitter Tuesday night he received a scholarship offer from Ohio State.
I am blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University #buckeyes pic.twitter.com/2HBSjBWgbr
— Kevin Austin Jr (@Ka_szn) November 9, 2016
"[It] means a lot, of course," Austin told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder is considered the 43rd-best wideout and the No. 261 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 24 offers from programs such as Central Florida, Duke, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Rutgers and Tennessee.
Austin said head coach Urban Meyer called to deliver the news on Tuesday.
"The strong culture and, of course, their amazing academics [stand out]," he said.
BIG BLUE NATION
Huber Heights Wayne four-star wide receiver L'Christian “Blue” Smith was one of several top in-state targets to visit Kentucky over the weekend.
“It was nice. A sellout,” Smith told Eleven Warriors. “I love coach [Mark] Stoops and [recruiting coordinator Vince] Marrow. [It's a] football program on the rise.”
It's easy to dismiss Kentucky's chances with any of the prospects, but the Wildcats have made significant strides in Ohio in recent years. In fact, no out-of-state program has signed more of the Buckeye State's Top 100 prospects than Kentucky in the last five recruiting cycles.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Smith is unlikely to end up in Lexington, as he holds double-digit scholarship offers from schools such as Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee.
That is unless he instead chooses to play basketball at the next level, as top programs like Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse, Texas and UCLA have also offered.
Smith, who is considered the third-best athlete and the No. 93 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, has more than 600 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns for the Warriors this season. He also averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on the hardwood last year.
Smith, who will unofficial visit Alabama this coming weekend, informed us just last week he'll be in Columbus for the season finale against Michigan.
“Can't wait,” he said.
TWO-HORSE RACE?
Owasso, Oklahoma, four-star safety Josh Proctor has taken two unofficial visits this season … and both have involved Ohio State. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound junior was in attendance for the Buckeyes' 45-24 win over Oklahoma in September and then made his first trip to Columbus for Saturday's game against Nebraska.
So thankful that god blessed me with you two.. You've been there through it all and I appreciate all you've done for me pic.twitter.com/LoIcczOYNU
— Josh (@jproctor_2018) November 9, 2016
“The atmosphere [was the best part],” Proctor told Eleven Warriors.
Considered the second-best player in the state and the nation's No. 65 prospect overall, Proctor currently holds offers from Georgia, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He mentioned his relationship with co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as a reason the Buckeyes are high on his list.
“We talk nearly every day,” Proctor said.
