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.
MOVING THE NEEDLE
As expected, Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson was in Bellaire, Texas, on Wednesday night for an in-home visit with five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
Ohio State In-Home Visit.@R2X_Rushmen1 @RDMW6 @JNed1245 @For_real_fresh @NedSyble @HamiltonESPN @AllAmericaGame pic.twitter.com/ajG9QA2nX5
— Syble Ned (@NedSyble) December 8, 2016
Wilson is considered the top-rated defensive tackle and the No. 3 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He is expected to narrow down his list of more than two dozen offers to five within the next month and then announce his college decision on National Signing Day.
Ohio State reportedly made a great impression on the 6-foot-4, 329-pounder during his official visit for the 30-27 double-overtime win over Michigan last month. And though he's also traveled to Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M this season, the Buckeyes certainly have to feel confident about their chances.
Wilson is also close friends with recent linebacker commit Baron Browning and cornerback target Jeffrey Okudah, who joined him on the aforementioned trip to Columbus. Seeing as he's not leaning toward one school or another at this time, it's not out of the question to think those relationships will ultimately factor into Wilson's decision.
CALIFORNIA LOVE
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was in California on Wednesday to visit with the family of five-star offensive guard commit Wyatt Davis and watch St. John Bosco practice for its state championship matchup with De La Salle next weekend.
Coach Urban Meyer getting some coaching tips from Coach Jason Negro @boscofootball @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/mRPlx8bNfA
— Jacob Negro (@JacobNegro) December 7, 2016
“I never met with him. He was with my family all day,” Davis told Eleven Warriors. “I was very excited that he came out to practice and spent time with my family.”
Though Davis, the top-rated offensive guard and No. 16 prospect overall in the Class of 2017, got most of the attention, Meyer was also there to check in on five-star junior safety Jaiden Woodbey.
Meyer could not have face-to-face contact with Woodbey beyond the exchange of a greeting. But with the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder set to narrow down his list of schools later this month, a simple hello will go a long way — especially considering Woodbey has not been able to make a trip to campus since Ohio State offered him a scholarship in June.
I'm confident Arizona, Ohio State, UCLA, USC and Washington make the cut for Woodbey, the third-best safety and the No. 26 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, when he reveals his top schools on Dec. 20.
TIME CONSTRAINTS
Meyer then made the two- to five-hour trek north — depending on traffic along the 405 — to Calabasas, California, to see five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes.
Calabasas Football and @ProwayDarnay visited by @OSUCoachMeyer tonight. ! Thank you Coach for coming out! #buckeyes pic.twitter.com/Wc0PJCPNsd
— CHS Coyote Football (@CalabasasFtball) December 8, 2016
Ohio State certainly isn't the favorite to land Holmes at this time, but finds itself trailing only UCLA for the second-best corner and the No. 12 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. This is good news for the Buckeyes, who await a decision from five-star corner commit Shaun Wade.
If Wade flips to Alabama — as many expect him to do — Ohio State will be in good position to replace him with Holmes.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder made an official visit to Ohio State for the Nov. 26 game against Michigan, but was not on the sidelines prior to the game because he arrived after kickoff. Calabasas had a playoff game the night before, causing the same scheduling conflicts as Browning and five-star running back target Cam Akers.
Holmes is expected to pick a college at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, 2017, unfortunately the same day Wade intends to publicly announce his final decision.
