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.
LAST CALL
Ohio State's second-ranked recruiting class may have another five-star prospect by the time The Hurry Up runs on Tuesday, as Jackson, Tennessee, University School offensive tackle Trey Smith will make his college announcement live on ESPNU at 4 p.m.
But before he makes his decision public, Smith was visited at school by Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on Monday afternoon. The Buckeyes are also expected to send Meyer, quarterbacks coach Tim Beck, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs for an in-home visit this evening, while the Crimson Tide will do the same with Saban and wide receivers coach Billy Napier.
Great visit with coach Meyer H- pic.twitter.com/kxoz3A4Pyb
— Trey Smith (@smithtrey98) December 5, 2016
Great visit with coach Saban #RTR pic.twitter.com/VZxJENQCRn
— Trey Smith (@smithtrey98) December 5, 2016
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, meanwhile — having already used his in-home visit with Smith last week — will send several assistants in his place tonight.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Smith is considered the fifth-best offensive tackle and the No. 20 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He was once considered a heavy lean for the in-state Volunteers, but his official visit to Ohio State and an in-home visit from Studrawa last week seemingly have things trending toward the Buckeyes.
It's been reported Smith had already made up his mind prior to his official visit to Tennessee this weekend, and Alabama and Ohio State have every reason to feel confident going into Tuesday's announcement — I mean, playing for the Buckeyes or Crimson Tide would offer a greater chance to compete for national championships every year and make it to the NFL.
But I have a hard time believing Ohio State was able to make up significant ground in only two weeks, as the Buckeyes were only an afterthought in Smith's recruitment until the aforementioned official visit. And that's why I believe Smith, who will play in the Under Armor All-American Game on Jan. 1, 2017, will stay home.
TIGER TERRITORY
Xavier Thomas, the top-rated defensive end and No. 2 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, included Ohio State in his Top 7 on Sunday evening alongside Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and South Carolina.
Top 7 (No Order) pic.twitter.com/SBgKElMPvO
— Xavier Thomas 19 (@atxlete) December 4, 2016
The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder — who recently transferred to IMG Academy after recording 131 tackles and seven sacks this season at Florence, South Carolina, Wilson — was last on campus in March. He's unofficially visited every other finalist in the meantime.
You'll notice Ohio State is the only school north of the Mason-Dixon Line in his final seven, so the Buckeyes are at a clear disadvantage in that respect. Coaches from Clemson and South Carolina were often spotted on the sidelines at Thomas' games, too, so it'll be an uphill battle to land the five-star prospect.
Thomas doesn't plan on making a decision anytime soon, though, and his move to Florida may actually help Ohio State gain some ground in the long run.
NOT SURPRISING
According to his mother, Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman four-star safety Bubba Bolden has narrowed down his more than 20 offers to two.
"Ohio State and USC are his Top 2," Breezy Bolden told Eleven Warriors.
Many believed the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder would commit to the Buckeyes during his official visit in early November. But Bolden, a one-time USC commit, will first take an official visit to Los Angeles before making a decision on National Signing Day.
Ohio State had some early momentum with teammates Tate Martell, Tyjon Lindsey and Haskell Garrett in the fold, but Bolden grew up a fan of and was committed to USC for seven months before reopening his recruitment in July.
The Trojans have stepped up their recruitment in recent weeks and their Rose Bowl resurgence has only helped down the stretch, which is why I no longer believe he'll end up in Columbus.
ONCE A BUCKEYE
Many believed in the weeks leading up to his decommitment former Ohio State linebacker pledge Antjuan Simmons was certain to land with Michigan State.
And while that's obviously still possible, Arizona and Notre Dame have reportedly become alternate destinations for the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Pioneer.
Next visits for Antjuan Simmons are likely to be #Arizona & #NotreDame: https://t.co/f5IPNq5zk8 @JasonScheer @Jake_Brown
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) December 1, 2016
The Wildcats visited Simmons during their open week earlier this season, and he intends to take a trip to Tucson in the coming weeks.
While Simmons' finally decision may no longer impact Ohio State directly, it will still be interesting to see where he lands.
