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.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Ohio State opened spring practice this morning, and -- as expected -- Xenia three-star wide receiver Meechi Harris was on hand to take in the sights and sounds.
This was the second trip to campus in a little over five weeks for the 6-foot-2, 188-pound Harris, as he was one more than 50 underclassmen invited to Junior Day in late January.
The setting was more laid back, of course, and there was no grand tour of the facilities. But Harris said he enjoyed himself and was able to talk to the coaches and an advisor, as he looks to study biology in college.
The second-best receiver in the state for the Class of 2018, Harris is certainly one to pay attention to in the coming months. He's well on his way to earning an offer from the staff, but -- as we all know -- in-state prospects aren't always the first ones to make the list.
"They want to get to know me more, which I appreciate," Harris told Eleven Warriors.
Considering he wants to enjoy the recruiting process, it's no surprise to hear Harris isn't worried about an offer coming sooner rather than later. All in due time.
SETTING THE BAR HIGH
St. Joseph, Michigan, cornerback Arthur Herndon III was also at practice on Tuesday morning. It was his first time on campus.
Enjoyed my visit at THE Ohio State University, Showed tons of love and great energy pic.twitter.com/00i1vv2kfV
— Art Herndon III (@to_okc) March 7, 2017
"I absolutely loved it," Herndon told Eleven Warriors. "It was one of the best visits I've been on. Everything was great from the time I got there to when I left. It was very family-like."
The 6-foot, 160-pound Herndon -- like so many others from the Class of 2019 -- is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites. He doesn't hold any offers, either, but programs such as Arizona State, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Tennessee have all started to show interest after he recorded 40 tackles, 18 pass breakups and two interceptions in his first season at the varsity level.
Herndon thinks his knowledge of the game is what will set him apart from other defensive backs in his class.
"I'm a student of the game, and on top of that, I'm very coachable and a fast learner," he said. "I also can take criticism well and still play my game."
Defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs -- big surprise -- has taken a very special interest in Herndon. They spent some time together after practice.
"He told me to come out to camp cause he wants to coach me up and to stay in contact with him," Herndon said. "One-hundred percent, I'll be returning for another visit."
BACK AGAIN
Speaking of that, Dayton Dunbar three-star running back Tavion Thomas told Eleven Warriors he'll be back on campus next Saturday, March 18, for another unofficial visit.
It's wise for Ohio State to keep Thomas as close as possible, considering the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder continues to haul in scholarship offers at a rapid pace -- USC just offered on Sunday.
That said, if the Buckeyes truly want to land Thomas, they might have to offer his teammate Joseph "JoJo" Scates. The two have referred to themselves as a package deal, but that can't happen in Columbus just yet.
#package @tavionthomas937 pic.twitter.com/A5Dhusb3Vd
— #6...... (@ScatesJoseph) March 7, 2017
Scates is the top-rated wideout in the state for the Class of 2018, but much like he aforementioned Harris, will have to earn an offer during camp this summer or with a stellar senior campaign. If Ohio State doesn't come through, though, it should be noted both Scates and Thomas hold an offer from Alabama.
