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.
TRIMMING THE FAT
On Wednesday afternoon, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, four-star tight end Zack Kuntz narrowed down his list of schools to eight. He listed Ohio State alongside Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford and Tennessee.
Top 8 pic.twitter.com/pwR3XWT31B
— Zack Kuntz (@zackkuntz_717) November 16, 2016
The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder is considered the top-rated tight end and the No. 50 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. Of the aforementioned list, the Cardinal are the only team that hasn't offered.
Kuntz was limited this season because of a foot injury, finishing the season with 10 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown in five games. He unofficially visited Notre Dame and Penn State twice apiece this fall, while his only trip to Columbus since being offered in May came during Friday Night Lights.
Ohio State also made the cut for Lindenhurst, New York, tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who included the Buckeyes in his Top 14 back in August.
INJURY BUG
Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman four-star wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey announced this week he'll undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. It is unclear when the 5-foot-9, 161-pounder suffered the injury, but he decided to cut his senior season short on Oct. 21.
Surgery scheduled for November 29th!
— T-WAYNE (@tyjonlindsey) November 15, 2016
I'm excited to get better so I can show the world how much more I have in me. #GoBucks
Lindsey, who committed to Ohio State in August over finalists Alabama, Nebraska, Notre Dame and USC, also missed the first four games of the year after breaking his collarbone in a preseason scrimmage. He returned to catch a pair of touchdown passes in his season debut, but recorded only three receptions for 55 yards in the following three games.
The top-rated player in the state is not the only Ohio State wide receiver commit to suffer a season-ending injury this year, as Trevon Grimes tore his ACL in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, St. Thomas Aquinas' loss to Bishop Gorman in late September. Both are expected to be recovered in time to participate in fall camp.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Marietta, Georgia, Lassiter cornerback Derrik Allen was among the dozen-plus five-star prospects at Ohio State's Nov. 5 game against Nebraska. It was his first trip to Columbus since being offered a scholarship in May.
“I enjoyed it a lot,” Allen told Eleven Warriors. “The campus, the academics, the facilities, the stadium environment was great, and the team played a very good game.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is considered the third-best corner and the No. 21 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds more than 30 offers, but most believe it is a two-horse race between Georgia and Ohio State.
Top schools coming soon...time to focus
— Derrik Allen (@DsmoothAllen) November 16, 2016
“I haven't put out a top group, yet plan to do so soon,” Allen said. “[Ohio State] will definitely be in there. A top school for me, for sure.”
Allen said his relationship with head coach Urban Meyer and the rest of the staff is one of the many reasons he's interested in the Buckeyes.
“We have a very good relationship. Coach [Kerry] Coombs, as well,” he said. “They are showing that they care about my development on and off the field. That's important to my family and I.”
Allen, who would like to study computer science and engineering in college, said academics and how he can develop as a player are two of the main factors in his recruitment.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Two Ohio State commits and two targets are among the 16 players nominated for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, considered the most prestigious individual honor given in high school football.
The nominees include, in alphabetical order:
- Uncommitted five-star running back Cam Akers of Clinton, Mississippi;
- Uncommitted four-star running back Eno Benjamin of Wylie, Texas;
- LSU four-star quarterback commit Myles Brennan of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi;
- Tennessee four-star running back commit Ty Chandler of Nashville, Tenneessee;
- Georgia four-star quarterback commit Jake Fromm of Warner Robbins, Georgia;
- Alabama five-star running back commit Najee Harris of Antioch, California;
- Clemson five-star wide receiver commit Tee Higgins of Oak Ridge, Tennessee;
- Uncommitted four-star linebacker Anthony Hines III of Plano, Texas;
- Washington four-star wide receiver commit Ty Jones of Provo, Utah;
- Georgia five-star safety commit Richard LeCounte of Riceboro, Georgia;
- Ohio State four-star quarterback commit Tate Martell of Las Vegas, Nevada;
- Auburn four-star linebacker commit Tadarian Moultry of Birmingham, Alabama;
- UCLA five-star defensive end commit Jaelan Phillips of Redlands, California;
- Uncommitted five-star offensive tackle Foster Sarell of Graham, Washington;
- Uncommitted four-star defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon of Leesburg, Georgia; and
- Ohio State five-star cornerback commit Shaun Wade of Jacksonville, Florida.
Six finalists will be announced on Nov. 28, and the award will be presented during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, the night before the game.
