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.
FLIPPING OUT IN COLUMBIA
Just three days ahead of National Signing Day, Missouri could be in jeopardy of losing two of its three wide receiver commits.
Shawnee Mission, Kansas, three-star Jafar Armstrong reopened his recruitment on Sunday following an official visit to Notre Dame, while Kemp, Texas, three-star Elijah Gardiner spent the weekend at Ohio State.
The fam and I. pic.twitter.com/nMVVAz0QwW
— Eli (@elijahgardiner) January 28, 2017
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound Gardiner committed to the Tigers in November but decided to make the trip to Columbus following a visit from Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson last week.
Leading up to the visit, a source close to the program told Eleven Warriors the staff was split on Gardiner. He wasn't on their radar until Tyjon Lindsey decommitted a little more than two weeks ago, but his length and speed make for an intriguing combination.
It's still unclear if the Buckeyes — in search of a third receiver to complement five-star Trevon Grimes and four-star Jaylen Harris — have offered Gardiner, but he is likely to flip if one were extended.
"I know he had a good time, but haven't talked to him today because he is on his way back," Kemp head coach Brandon Hankins told Eleven Warriors.
WOODBEY A GREAT ADDITION
Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco four-star safety Jaiden Woodbey has planned several trips to Columbus since Ohio State offered him a scholarship last June, but unforeseen circumstances prevented the visit from happening each time.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder remained high on the Buckeyes nonetheless, including them in his Top 4 last month alongside Nebraska, Oklahoma and USC. That meant his expectations for Saturday's Junior Day were pretty high.
“[It] exceeded them,” Woodbey told Eleven Warriors. “[The visit] was based around family and hard work.”
It was an overall great visit #ZONE6 pic.twitter.com/SFDJ4tWejS
— I AM JAIDEN WOODBEY (@JaidenWoodbey6) January 29, 2017
In addition to touring the facilities and trying on the latest gear, Woodbey and his mother spent time with head coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. The conversation, he said, was about more than just football.
“They talked about [where they see me fitting in the defense] for a little amount of time, but they mainly talked about life, which is great to me."
Ohio State stands out with Woodbey's high school teammate Wyatt Davis in the fold, of course, but the Buckeyes also made a strong impression on his mother, too. All that said, Woodbey said choosing a college will ultimately be his decision.
“She doesn't want to have an influence on my decision."
MOORE OPTIONS THAN EVER AT WIDEOUT
Like Woodbey Tulsa, Oklahoma, Union four-star wide receiver C.J. Moore made his first trip to Ohio State on Saturday.
I'm so excited!! Columbus Ohio!
— CJ Moore (@daddydimes35) January 27, 2017
“It was amazing,” Moore told Eleven Warriors. “Really everything. I liked everything, honestly. Very high energy. A family. Everyone is all in.”
The 6-foot-5, 175-pound Moore is considered the 18th-best receiver and the No. 111 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M, but said he couldn't wait to spend time with Meyer and wide receivers coach Zach Smith.
“They are super straightforward, and I like that a lot.”
Moore's family traveled with him to Columbus, and he said they were actually more excited than he was.
“I already expected [all Ohio State would entail]. They had no clue.”
JUST DOWN THE RIVER
I've previously mentioned how Junior Day is a bit of a misnomer since a number of talented sophomores were also in attendance. Among them was Lewis Center Olentangy Orange defensive end Zach Harrison.
“I loved it. I got the chance to see their facility and got to talk more to coach [Larry] Johnson,” Harrison told Eleven Warriors. “He's great. He has good morals and is very smart on the football field.”
The visit went so well for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Harrison that he walked away from campus with an offer in hand.
“It's crazy that another one of the best college teams in the country thinks I'm good and wants me on their team,” he said.
Harrison holds offers from programs such as Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, but hopes to get back to Ohio State as soon and as many times as possible. That said, he's in no hurry to make a decision on his future.
“I'm gonna wait 'til I know it's the right choice for me,” Harrison said.
PUTTING OUT FEELERS
Though Junior Day is just another way for the Ohio State staff to strengthen its relationship with long-time targets, the event also allows them to build a foundation with new prospects like Chardon linebacker Chase Kline.
They couldn't find 6... good visit, good people! HIO pic.twitter.com/Wl67ovQ8ge
— Chase Kline (@chase82bank) January 28, 2017
“It was great. I learned a lot and was very impressed,” Kline told Eleven Warriors. “I got to meet most of the staff and see all of the facilities. They're very high-tech.”
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Kline holds offers from Iowa State and Syracuse, but he said Saturday's visit was a step in the right direction when it comes to earning one from the Buckeyes.
“If I keep working hard, an offer will be coming my way. It would be a great honor. Being an Ohio kid, it would mean a lot.”
Kline plans to be back on campus for the Spring Game in April.
