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.
B1G EAST BATTLE
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Imhotep Charter four-star safety Isheem Young narrowed down his nearly 30 offers to 12 on Monday night, listing Ohio State alongside Alabama, Baylor, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Penn State, Temple and West Virginia.
Top 12. pic.twitter.com/Uz7RSoVJwM
— 3k (@Isheemyoung) March 14, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Young is considered the sixth-best safety and No. 62 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He recorded 32 tackles and three interceptions to lead the Panthers to the state title game last season.
Ohio State offered Young in early September, but given the Buckeyes hold a commitment from five-star safety Jaiden Woodbey and recently signed six other defensive backs, the staff might not want to bring on too many players at that position next cycle.
Penn State, meanwhile, seems to be the leader at the moment.
KING OF THE TRENCHES
It's been less than a month since Ohio State offered a scholarship to Orlando, Florida, Dr. Phillips offensive tackle John Campbell, but the three-star prospect including the Buckeyes in his Top 12 on Monday night anyway.
I've decided to focus and weigh my options on these 12 schools ,recruiting process still open #SlowFeetDontEat pic.twitter.com/zWeZcl6dnN
— J C A M P (@_jcamp74) March 13, 2017
The 6-foot-5, 284-pound Campbell is considered the 30th-best offensive tackle and No. 415 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He helped the Panthers rack up more than 4,500 yards of total offense on their way to the state championship game last season.
Campbell also listed Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and UCLA, but the Gators are presumed to be the heavy favorite. His former high school teammate, three-star linebacker Nick Smith, committed to Florida in January.
Now before you're quick to comment “Double-digit lists don't mean anything,” it's still significant for Ohio State to be among the handful of schools listed. It means the prospect is most likely going to take an official or unofficial visit this fall, and gives the Buckeyes a legitimate shot at landing his commitment. If it were every offer the kid had or in excess of 20 programs, then I'd understand your position.
IGNORING TOM HERMAN
In the midst of a spring break road trip that will allow him to see some of the biggest programs in the country, Manvel, Texas, three-star cornerback Trent Gordon stopped by Ohio State for an unofficial visit on Monday afternoon. While most of the staff is off campus for the week, director of player personnel Mark Pantoni showed Gordon around.
Top Texas DB Trent Gordon (@_TRENTG_) on spring break tour. Stopping in today at Ohio State. #GoBucks - https://t.co/H6eUE2eu08 pic.twitter.com/vnWhRSFrp8
— Greg Powers (@GPowersScout) March 13, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 172-pound Gordon is considered the 37th-best corner and No. 444 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds more than 30 offers from programs such as Colorado, Florida, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and UCLA.
Gordon recorded 81 tackles, 10 pass break ups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble to help the Mavericks to the state quarterfinals. He's close with Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, and is certainly someone the Buckeyes may offer down the road.
SNOW LIONS
Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith was scheduled to visit Penn State on Tuesday, but was forced to cancel his visit due to inclement weather — State College received about eight inches of snow overnight.
I will not be visiting Penn State tomorrow due to bad weather!!!
— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) March 14, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Smith is considered the sixth-best defensive end and No. 182 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds nearly three dozen offers, but most believe it's a two-horse race for his pledge between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.
Smith visited Ohio State several times last fall with teammate and wide receiver signee Jaylen Harris, but he did not earn a scholarship from the Buckeyes until late January. Penn State, meanwhile, offered in June and he's built quite the relationship with head coach James Franklin in the months since.
The Nittany Lions will host another Junior Day on March 25, so it's likely he makes the trip then. But Ohio State mustn't fall too far behind, so getting him on campus for the Spring Game in April is paramount.
