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.
ON TO THE NEXT ONE
Ohio State seemingly had no chance to land five-star offensive tackle Trey Smith just two weeks ago, so it didn't come as a surprise when the 6-foot-6, 310-pounder committed to Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.
It was certainly impressive how the staff worked its way into conversation and had a number of prognosticators believing the Buckeyes had an honest shot in the end, though.
So where does the staff go from here? It was a question I posed following Jake Moretti's decommitment last month.
Ohio State would ideally like to add a third offensive lineman to its second-ranked recruiting class. With Plan A (Smith) off the table, Plan B is now Massillon Washington four-star Thayer Munford.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Munford has been on the staff's radar for two years, but was the odd man out when the Buckeyes locked down Moretti and five-star Josh Myers at tackle and five-star Wyatt Davis at guard.
Ohio State still hasn't offered Munford, though he was on campus twice last month. I honestly believe — and he didn't deny it when we last spoke — he would commit the moment an offer were extended, too.
With depth issues along the offensive line, I believe the staff will eventually pursue Munford.
But, I might add, they could instead opt to use that open scholarship on the best player available. And with a number of five-star targets set to decide in the next month or so, there's no need to offer Munford and lock up another spot just yet.
THE CATCH OF TEXAS
According to ESPN's Gerry Hamilton, several unnamed Ohio State coaches are expected to make an in-home visit this evening with Bellaire, Texas, Episcopal five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
Though the 6-foot-4, 329-pounder is considered one of Ohio State's top remaining targets, it's unlikely head coach Urban Meyer would use his in-home visit this early on a prospect who doesn't plan to announce his decision until National Signing Day.
Instead, I'd expect some combination of quarterbacks coach Tim Beck, defensive line coach Larry Johnson and/or co-defensive coordinators Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano tonight.
#OhioState staff scheduled to be in-home with #ESPN300 5-star & Under Armour @AllAmericaGame DT @RDMW6 (Marvin Wilson) tonight.
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) December 7, 2016
Wilson, the top-rated defensive tackle and the No. 3 prospect overall in the Class of 2017, made his first trip to Columbus for Ohio State's 30-27 double-overtime win over Michigan. And though the Buckeyes were once considered a long-shot to land Wilson, but he was reportedly blown away by the coaching staff and atmosphere during his official visit.
Wilson also traveled to Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M this season, and Texas head coach Tom Herman is expected to make a run at the five-star prospect before he makes his decision in February.
Seeing as he's good friends with Ohio State linebacker commit Baron Browning, as well as safety target Jeffrey Okudah, I'd say the Buckeyes have as good of chance as any other school in Wilson's Top 10.
Will the distance be too much to overcome, though? Only time will tell.
INCOMING #BOOM?
A source close to Indianapolis, Indiana, Cathedral four-star linebacker Pete Werner told Eleven Warriors the former Notre Dame commit will take an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.
Werner is considered the second-best player in the state and the No. 17 outside linebacker in the Class of 2017. He committed to the fighting Irish in March over more than two dozen offers, but reopened his recruitment following an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the Nov. 26 game against Michigan.
Defensive coordinator Luke Fickell had an in-home visit with Werner the day prior to his decommitment, which is why the Buckeyes have stepped in as the favorite to land the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder.
I believe Werner is exempt from Ohio State's scholarship crunch, as Ohio State is actively looking to add another linebacker to team up with Browning. This should come as no surprise following the decommitment of four-star linebacker Antjuan Simmons late last month.
It's possible Werner commits this weekend. But if he doesn't pull the trigger, expect an in-home visit from Urban Meyer following the month-long dead period and a decision from Werner around National Signing Day.
