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.
THIS AGAIN?
Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star defensive tackle Jerron Cage is scheduled to make his official visit to Ohio State this coming weekend, but rumors have once again surfaced about a possible trip to Notre Dame ahead of National Signing Day.
Sources close to Cage told Eleven Warriors the speculation is just that — speculation.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Cage committed to Ohio State in July 2015, and remains on track to sign with the Buckeyes in February. Though he's repeatedly shot down rumors of a flip, Notre Dame continues to creep back into the conversation because of his brother Daniel, a starting lineman for the Fighting Irish.
With Ohio State in pursuit of five-star Marvin Wilson and four-star Jay Tufele, the noise will only continue to get louder as signing day approaches. But unless the Buckeyes somehow nab both, I suggest taking the rumors with a grain of salt.
HELP NEEDED IN ZONE 6
Mobile, Alabama, Baker two-star senior wide receiver Melvin Hill announced on Twitter Tuesday morning he has received a preferred walk-on offer from Ohio State.
Blessed to be Extended an Offer to play football at The Ohio State University
— Melvin Hill (@Melvintotru) January 10, 2017
ThankYou @EronHodges
Thanks for your Support @coach_tjperine pic.twitter.com/QO9JjxwvDI
“I just feel as if I could play at that level, and I'm thankful to have an opportunity," Hill told Eleven Warriors. “As you saw yesterday with the walk-on from Clemson with the game-winning touchdown in the national championship, I think opportunities are given and God will help me make the right choice, whatever I choose to do.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Hill hauled in 39 catches for 727 yards and six touchdowns in his career for the Hornets. He committed to Massachusetts in early December over offers from Alabama State, Grambling, Jackson State and Prairie View A&M, but will certainly consider the Buckeyes' offer.
“I think, as a person, you should always maximize your opportunities that God blesses you with,” Hill said. “Never limit yourself to just one mindset because you never know what can happen and you never want to have 'what if' as a regret whatsoever.”
NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND
Huber Heights Wayne four-star wide receiver L'Christian "Blue" Smith announced on New Year's Day he was going concentrate solely on football in college, but he's not so sure about giving up basketball anymore.
After talking with one of my mentors about my future I will still be considering plying basketball in college...thank you
— BLUE SMITH (@bluesmith_) January 4, 2017
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Smith is considered the third-best athlete and the No. 101 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds double-digit offers from programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee.
He's also earned offers from basketball programs like Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse, Texas and UCLA.
Though it would be difficult, Smith could ultimately decide to play both sports at the college of choice. Ohio State is the only school that offers such an opportunity, but it's highly unlikely he chooses to play in Columbus if basketball is the only route he takes.
MOVING TOWARD A RESOLUTION?
NCAA Assistant Director of Academic and Membership Affairs Eric Mayes formally introduced the recruiting reform proposal to coaches at the American Football Coaches Association convention on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Mayes reminded coaches this is just a proposal, and the NCAA is in a 'sponsor modification stage' and is soliciting feedback on changes coaches might want,” ESPN's Jeremy Crabtree said.
The proposal, which would introduce two 72-hour early signing periods, add a 10th assistant coach and limit the number of satellite camps to a 10-day period, will continue to be discussed at the convention this week.
The final draft will be presented later this month, and it would need approval from the NCAA Board of Directors and the Collegiate Commissioners Association in April to go into effect during the 2017-18 recruiting cycle.
“CCA officials expect if early singing [period] passes, it wouldn't start until Dec. 2017 for '18 recruits and the following year for the '19 class,” Crabtree said.
