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.
CALIFORNIA LOVE
Once five-star safety commit Jaiden Woodbey set his sights on San Diego, California, St. Augustine four-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart, it was only a matter of time before Ohio State offered him a scholarship. Late Monday night, the Buckeyes delivered.
Great talk with @OSUCoachMeyer and @OSUCoachSchiano and thankful to receive a scholarship offer to The Ohio State University #Buckeyes #OSU pic.twitter.com/PztknVxYG6
— Isaac Taylor-Stuart (@Kingathlete5) March 21, 2017
"He put in a couple words," Taylor-Stuart told Eleven Warriors. "It means a lot. I've been wanting this offer for such a long time, since going into my freshman year. It's crazy great to have this."
The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Taylor-Stuart is considered the fourth-best cornerback and No, 28 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds 30 offers from programs such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC and Washington.
Taylor-Stuart starred on both sides of the ball for the Saints last season, as he racked up 754 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns and recorded 41 tackles, two tackles and one interception.
OFFER AROUND THE CORNER?
Frisco, Texas, Wakeland three-star offensive tackle Rafiti Ghirmai included Ohio State in his Top 10 on Monday evening alongside Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, TCU and UCLA. It marks the second time this week a prospect without an offer included the Buckeyes among his top schools.
TOP 10 pic.twitter.com/gvei4kysBP
— Rafiti Ghirmai (@RafitiGhirmai) March 20, 2017
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Ghirmai is considered the 26th-best offensive tackle and No. 356 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He's recently been in contact with Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, which is where the interest in the Buckeyes comes from.
With offers out to a dozen other players at his position, it's hard to see how Ghirmai fits into Ohio State's plans at this time. But, much like three-star wide receiver signee Elijah Gardiner in 2017, he could become a realistic option late in the process.
UP-AND-COMER
Staying in Texas, Ohio State director of player personnel Mark Pantoni and wide receivers coach Zach Smith recently reached out to Schertz Samuel Clemens four-star wide receiver Tommy Bush. And though the conversations are on a get-to-know-you level, the Buckeyes already stand out.
“Ohio State stays at the top by developing players and graduates a high percentage of their football players,” Bush told Eleven Warriors. “[I] just love the history of the university and the big-time value of an Ohio State degree.”
The 6-foot-5, 187-pound Bush is considered the 48th-best wideout and No. 309 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds nearly 40 offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA and Virginia Tech, but an offer from Ohio State would be huge.
“[The Buckeyes] would jump right up there. I would absolutely love one,” Bush said. “I have never been to Ohio State, but if offered, I would no doubt hit the campus this summer.”
Bush, a soon-to-be Under Armour All-American, had 25 catches for 395 yards and five touchdowns for the Buffaloes last season. He also recently posted the fourth-best score at Nike's The Opening Regional event in Houston, which included a 4.47 40-yard dash and 4.14 shuttle.
MALIK HOOKER 2.0
When it comes to handing out offers to in-state prospects, Ohio State is a little more cautious since — of course — a kid who grew up watching the Buckeyes every Saturday is more likely to commit earlier in the process than one from out of state. But that doesn't mean the staff ignores them altogether, either.
One in-state name to keep in mind down the road is Akron Archbishop Hoban three-star wide receiver/safety Nate Bauer, who will visit Ohio State this Saturday.
“Coach [Ryan] Day has been recruiting me and he asked me to come to one of the spring practices,” Bauer told Eleven Warriors. “This seemed like a good day to come.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bauer is considered the 168th-best wideout and No. 1,107 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, though the Buckeyes are recruiting him as a safety. He currently holds offers from Akron, Boston College, Buffalo, Miami (OH), Minnesota, Syracuse and Toledo, but said an Ohio State offer would be a game-changer.
“It's always been a dream school to me, and I love the way they compete,” Bauer said.
