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.
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Hundreds of the country's top prospects descended upon Las Vegas this weekend for the Adidas 7-on-7 National Championships. Among them included Ohio State commit Jaiden Woodbey.
The five-star safety has reportedly been as physical as any of the defensive backs at the event, as displayed in this rep against top-rated wide receiver Jalen Hall.
#Buckeyes commit Jaiden Woodbey with a downfield INT vs No. 1 WR Jalen Hall. Been a beast at Adidas Vegas: https://t.co/nVaAGEw135 #OSU pic.twitter.com/ogFxHepzAU
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) March 5, 2017
I'm not sure why Adidas couldn't find a better field for these prospects to play on, but I digress. Woodbey is staking his claim as the best safety in the class and is certainly using this weekend to recruit for the Buckeyes.
A FRESH START?
It's easy to read too much into someone's tweets, but when the source of the commotion is none other than Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, five-star defensive end Micah Parsons, you should certainly pay attention.
Sometimes you gotta move away to be the best player and person you can be
— #blessedMVP (@Micah_parsons23) March 4, 2017
That's because the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Penn State commit has not been shy about his interest in Ohio State. He was on campus twice last fall and again for Junior Day in January, and many — including myself — believe he'll eventually flip his pledge to the Buckeyes.
While anything could have prompted this tweet, including his transfer from Central Dauphin to Harrisburg in October that ultimately led to him playing for a better football program, he's definitely one of Ohio State's top targets at the moment.
Sources close to the Buckeyes told Eleven Warriors that Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is one of Parsons' biggest fans, but there are concerns within the program about the crowd he hangs with. Which means it's just as likely the ultra-talent defensive end understands he needs a change of scenery.
KEEP THE PIPELINE FLOWING
Ohio State offered a scholarship on Saturday afternoon to Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy four-star running back Noah Cain.
Blessed to say I've received an offer from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!! #GoBuckeyes #Zone6 pic.twitter.com/mhQDOLEURO
— Noah Cain (@therealnoahcain) March 4, 2017
“Ohio State has always been a school I've wanted to have an offer from,” Cain told Eleven Warriors. “Me and [running backs] coach [Tony] Alford had a real good conversation on the phone … This was the first day I spoke with him, and it seemed like we've known each other forever.”
The 5-foot-11, 207-pound Cain is considered the top-rated running back and No. 5 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He holds nearly 20 offers from programs such as Georgia, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M and UCLA.
Cain was named a MaxPreps All-American after he rushed for 1,683 yards and 22 touchdowns for Denton, Texas, Guyer last season before transferring to IMG in January. He hopes to make it to Columbus for an unofficial visit this spring.
KEEP HIM IN MIND
If you're into predicting the future, one rising prospect likely to get an offer sooner rather than later is Ramsey, New Jersey, Don Bosco Prep three-star defensive end Marcellus Earlington.
“I talk to coach [Greg] Schiano,” Earlington told Eleven Warriors. “I'm looking to get down there for the spring game.”
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Earlington is considered the 22nd-best strong-side defensive end and the No. 608 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds nearly a dozen offers from programs such as Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Syracuse, but said earning one from Ohio State would take the cake.
“I love their style of play, and to even have a chance to play under Urban Meyer would be mind-blowing,” Earlington said.
Earlington recorded 68 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles last season to lead the Ironmen to the state semifinals.
