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 game against Michigan was undoubtedly the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, but it certainly wasn't the last. With the dead period beginning on Monday, this weekend marks the last chance for coaches to have face-to-face contact with recruits until mid-January.
Most of the official visitors are already committed, including five-star offensive tackle Josh Myers, four-star cornerbacks Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson, four-star athlete Brendon White and three-star kicker Blake Haubeil. But the most notable visitor may be Indianapolis, Indiana, Cathedral four-star linebacker Pete Werner.
The former Notre Dame commit 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, but reopened his recruitment following an unofficial visit for the aforementioned game against the Wolverines.
The 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds Werner will certainly be on commitment watch during the visit, as Ohio State is actively looking to add another linebacker to team up with five-star Baron Browning. But with reports Luke Fickell may be named the next head coach at Cincinnati over the weekend, Werner may put those plans on hold.
WAIT AND SEE
Four-star linebackers Palaie Gaoteote, Dallas Gant and Christopher Oats may be considered Ohio State's primary targets at that position for the Class of 2018. But one name to pay close attention to down the line is Columbus St. Francis De Sales junior linebacker Brian Asamoah.
The 6-foot, 205-pounder is not yet ranked by any major recruiting services, but holds 10 offers from programs such as Duke, Michigan, Penn State, Pitt and UCLA. Ohio State, meanwhile, invited Asamoah to practice this afternoon.
IT'S AN HONOR
The official rosters for Under Armour All-American Game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl were announced earlier this week, and 11 of Ohio State's 16 current commitments have been selected to participate.
#TeamHighlight vs. #TeamArmour
— All-America Game (@AllAmericaGame) December 9, 2016
115 of the Nation's top HS Football players square off @CWStadium 1/1/17 in the 2017 #UAALLAMERICA Game! pic.twitter.com/mQE9UgCBGP
The above-mentioned Williamson, wide receiver Trevon Grimes and safety Isaiah Pryor were selected for the Under Armour game in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 1, 2017, while Browning, Myers, offensive guard Wyatt Davis, cornerback Shaun Wade, defensive end Chase Young, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, running back J.K. Dobbins, quarterback Tate Martell and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett will take the stage at the Army Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas.
Notable targets set to play in both games include defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and athlete Markquese Bell in the Under Armour Game and safety Bubba Bolden, cornerback Darnay Holmes, defensive tackle Jay Tufele, cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, running back Cam Akers and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones at the Army Bowl
A DREAM COME TRUE
Jefferson Area running back Jeremiah Knight announced on Twitter Thursday night he has accepted a preferred walk-on spot at Ohio State.
Blessed to announce I have committed to THE Ohio State University to continue my athletic career pic.twitter.com/h4DjZEM8mh
— Boogie Knight (@JeremiahKnight4) December 8, 2016
“It's been my dream since I was 3 years old, and there's no way I was going to let this opportunity go,” Knight told Eleven Warriors. “I know with how hard I work and am going to work, I can be fighting for a starting spot eventually.”
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior is also not ranked by any major recruiting sites, but had garnered significant interest from programs such as Eastern Kentucky, Marshall and Youngstown State after rushing for a school-record 5,930 yards in his career with the Falcons.
