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.
COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER
As expected, Bridgeton, New Jersey, four-star athlete Markquese Bell committed to Maryland at the Under Armour All-America Game over finalists Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.
Student athlete at the University of Maryland #goterps @UAFootball #UAALLAMERICA pic.twitter.com/qyzlQCgyDs
— Markquese Bell (@MarkqueseB) January 1, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 194-pound Bell is considered the seventh-best athlete and the No. 188 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He was being courted by Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano to play linebacker in Columbus because of his athleticism, size and versatility, but the Buckeyes' scholarship crunch repeatedly forced him to delay his decision.
The though was the longer Bell waited to announce, the more likely Ohio State would have room for him in the class. But apparently he was dead set on making a decision on national television on Sunday, thus the Terrapins were the choice.
I'm not entirely sold on Bell being done with the recruiting process, simply because there is still a month until signing day. If the chips fall a certain way with Ohio State's top remaining targets, maybe he'll get one last look before Feb. 1.
THE RICH GET RICHER
While the writing was on the wall for Bell, Roswell, Georgia, four-star safety Xavier McKinney surprisingly (re)committed to Alabama during the game over finalists Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State.
The Tigers were considered by many to be the pick, including this reporter, though McKinney was — as mentioned — a one-time Crimson Tide pledge.
#RTR @UAFootball #UAALLAMERICA pic.twitter.com/lLUPiNWCCl
— X (@mckinney_xavier) January 1, 2017
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound McKinney is considered the eighth-best safety and the No. 70 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He is Alabama's 11th pledge ranked in the Top 100 of the 247Sports Composite rankings, pulling even with Ohio State for the nation's lead.
The Buckeyes already holds commitments from defensive backs Shaun Wade, Isaiah Pryor, Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson and are hoping to add Jeffrey Okudah and Darnay Holmes at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this Saturday, thus hadn't put much effort into McKinney's recruitment in recent months. But it was reported earlier in the week the Buckeyes had somehow surged into the lead.
LOCKED IN
Lindenhurst, New York, four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert trimmed his top schools from 14 to five on Saturday, including Ohio State alongside Alabama, Florida State, Michigan and Wisconsin. He also left the door open for Notre Dame, as he'll take an unofficial visit to South Bend in March.
Top 5..
— Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) December 31, 2016
..No specific order..
..No interviews..
Visit to #ND in March may change decision#Blessed pic.twitter.com/LSJXyVafUJ
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Ruckert is considered the third-best tight end and arguably Ohio State's top priority for the Class of 2018. He camped in Columbus over the summer and was on campus for the regular season finale against Michigan.
POTENTIAL FLIP?
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, five-star defensive end Micah Parsons has been committed to Penn State since February, but released a Top 6 on Saturday evening that included Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and USC.
#Top6 pic.twitter.com/BfLuzhKnym
— #blessedMVP (@Micah_parsons23) December 31, 2016
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Parsons is considered the second-best strong-side defensive end and the No. 5 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He has repeatedly said his commitment to the Nittany Lions remains solid, but — like Ohio State cornerback commit Shaun Wade did this fall — wants to take as many visits as he can to make sure the program is the right fit for him.
Yes I am committed but I do have the right to make visits and take all my officials you get a opportunity like this once in a life time
— #blessedMVP (@Micah_parsons23) January 1, 2017
What makes things interesting is the fact that Parsons publicly revealed a list of top schools, something Wade never did. So does that mean the Buckeyes have chance to flip the top-rated player in the Keystone State?
We'll just have to wait and see, as Parsons doesn't plan to make a final decisions until after he takes his five official visits next fall. But he did make two trips to Columbus in November and told Eleven Warriors at that time he really enjoyed himself.
TWO-SPORT STAR NO MORE
Huber Heights Wayne four-star wide receiver L'Christian “Blue” Smith announced on Twitter late last night he has decided to play football in college.
The time has come...!! #Decisions pic.twitter.com/1DOJjxt0kC
— BLUE SMITH (@bluesmith_) January 1, 2017
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Smith is considered the third-best wide receiver in the Class of 2018, holding double-digit offers from program such as Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee. But he's also a star forward on the hardwood, having earned offers from powerhouse programs like Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse, Texas and UCLA.
