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.
THE SECOND COMING OF MARVIN WILSON?
Ohio State currently sits neck-and-neck with Florida State in the race for Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy's Taron Vincent, but it's the Buckeyes who will have the last chance to make an impression on the five-star defensive tackle during an unofficial visit next weekend.
“It will be March 29 and 30. I'm going up with my parents,” Vincent told 247Sports. “[I plan on deciding] probably a week or so after.”
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Vincent is considered the top-rated defensive tackle and No. 14 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He's been to Tallahassee twice since his last trip to Columbus, which means next weekend's trip is especially important for Ohio State.
B1G BATTLE
We mentioned earlier this week how Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith was scheduled to visit Penn State, but more than eight inches of snow hit Happy Valley on Monday night and forced him to cancel the trip. Well, it's back on.
Penn State visit rescheduled for Saturday #WeAre
— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) March 16, 2017
“The family atmosphere they have [stands out],” Smith told Eleven Warriors. “They also have good education and take care of business on the field. That's what I'm looking for in schools.”
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.
“I'm releasing my top schools after May when I'm done taking all my visits and feel like I'm confident about the schools I'm considering,” Smith said.
Smith will visit Ohio State next week, marking his first trip to campus since earning an offer in late January. He said his relationship with the staff has only improved as a result, which is why I would expect the Buckeyes to make the cut later this spring.
“We talk every day, and that means a lot,” Smith said.
FOLLOWING UP
Though Ohio State is on spring break this week, director of player personnel Mark Pantoni hasn't taken a day off. He recently hosted Manvel, Texas, three-star cornerback Trent Gordon, who is in the midst of a cross-country trip that also included stops at LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee and West Virginia.
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
“It was great,” Gordon told Eleven Warriors. “Everyone was on spring break, but coach Pantoni took his time to show me around and tell me everything about the school. Even a few NFL guys were walking in and out the building. It was really good. I even talked to coach [Kerry] Coombs as I was on the tour, and coach [Urban] Meyer phoned in and talked to me for a bit.”
The 5-foot-11, 172-pound Gordon is considered the 37th-best corner and No. 444 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, having recorded 81 tackles, 10 pass break ups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble to help the Mavericks to the state quarterfinals last season. 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, but said Ohio State now stands out.
“I liked how coach Pantoni was very genuine about everything and [let me talk to] as many people as he could,” Gordon said. “That was like, 'woah,' to me.”
Gordon is close with Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, and depending on how many defensive backs the Buckeyes look to take in 2018, he's certainly someone who could get an offer down the road.
OVERANALYZING EVERYTHING
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, five-star defensive end Micah Parsons raised some eyebrows on Friday morning by posting a picture of his new pitbull puppy, which just so happens to share its name with Ohio State's mascot, Brutus Buckeye.
“He's famous already,” Parsons told Eleven Warriors.
Welcome to the family BRUTUS pic.twitter.com/fADWZRuu4a
— #blessedMVP (@Micah_parsons23) March 17, 2017
Whether or not it's indicative of the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Penn State commit flipping his pledge remains to be seen, but Ohio State certainly trying its best to make it happen.
I mentioned not even two weeks ago how Parsons has not been shy about his interest in Ohio State, visiting campus three times in the last five months, and sources close to the program have repeatedly told Eleven Warriors how much defensive line coach Larry Johnson likes him, too.
It seems anymore like every time he tweets, it's about the Buckeyes. So what's stopping this seemingly inevitable marriage?
Well, for one, Parsons is simply enjoying the recruiting process. He remains committed to Penn State, but is also undoubtedly loving the attention from Ohio State's fan base. I can't say I blame him for living it up, so I caution you not to get too excited when he tweets. That is, unless he says, “I'm visiting — or committed to — Ohio State.”
Then you have my blessing.
Bro can't even name his dog
— quon (@anderson_quon) March 17, 2017
