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.
BACK SO SOON?
Ohio State hosted two very important prospects for practice on Tuesday morning, including Dayton Dunbar three-star running back Tavion Thomas. It was his second visit this month and third since the Buckeyes offered in mid-February, which speaks volumes about his interest in the program.
“The visit was great,” Thomas told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Thomas, who traveled to Columbus with Dunbar running backs coach Derrick Moss on Monday night, spent most of the practice attached at the hip director of player personnel Mark Pantoni. Head coach Urban Meyer even broke away from practice for a few minutes to give Thomas some one-on-one instruction.
“They're really my guys,” Thomas said.
Thomas, who listed Ohio State in his Top 12 on Friday night alongside Alabama, Arizona State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Michigan St, Nebraska, Oregon, USC and Wisconsin, will return to campus for Saturday's team scrimmage. And though he's one of the most sought-after prospects in the country right now, it feels like only a matter of time before he commits to the Buckeyes.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
Lexington outside linebacker Cade Stover was also at practice on Tuesday morning, at which time Ohio State offered him a scholarship.
The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Stover isn't yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, but will undoubtedly be one of the top-rated prospects in the Class of 2019. And though he also holds offers from Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Oklahoma and Virginia, Stover had thoughts of becoming a Buckeye while at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
"I will soon, most likely," Stover told 247Sports.
Commence the commitment watch.
OUT OF ORDER, BUT WORKS THE SAME
Just one week after he included Ohio State in his Top 10 alongside Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, TCU and UCLA, Frisco, Texas, Wakeland three-star offensive tackle Rafiti Ghirmai announced he received a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes.
Yes, you read that right.
Blessed to get an offer from the Ohio State University #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/90Mp9wO5sz
— Rafiti Ghirmai (@RafitiGhirmai) March 28, 2017
“[It means] too much to put into words,” Ghirmai told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Ghirmai, considered the 26th-best offensive tackle and No. 356 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, had been in contact with offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and simply anticipated landing the offer from the Buckeyes.
As for what stands out about Ohio State?
“They have a history of putting multiple athletes into the league and preparing them for life,” Ghirmai said, noting he hopes to make it to a game this fall.
WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME
Saturday marked the biggest recruiting day of the year since January's Junior Day, so we'll continue to catch up with some of the visitors in the coming days. Among them, Akron Archbishop Hoban three-star wide receiver/safety Nate Bauer.
“It was great,” Bauer told Eleven Warriors. “The practice was awesome, and it was nice talking to the coaches.”
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 covets an offer from Ohio State above all.
“The competition at Ohio State is great,” Bauer said. “It makes people go harder. Their facilities are also great.”
Bauer spent most of the afternoon with quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, who wants him to return for Friday Night Lights in late July.
“He said that they love my film and that they really like me,” Bauer said. “They said they will offer me if I do good at their camp.”
ANOTHER HOOSIER?
Carmel, Indiana, sophomore weak-side defensive end Beau Robbins was also on campus on Saturday.
Great day at Ohio State!! pic.twitter.com/GfcJpHeNFS
— Beau Robbins (@beau_robbins35) March 25, 2017
“It was a great trip,” Robbins told Eleven Warriors. “I really enjoyed watching the spring practice and getting to see all the facilities.”
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Robbins, who holds offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Indiana, spent most of his time with defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs and 2017 signee Pete Werner, who is also from the Hoosier State.
“We talked a lot about developing a good relationship and just continuing to work hard,” Robbins said. “I still have a lot of time in high school and time to go through the recruiting process, [and while] we didn't talk about an offer, I hope to get one at some point in the future.”
FOR THE FIRST TIME
A number of very talented prospects will be in town this coming weekend, too, including Chatham, Illinois, Glenwood four-star offensive tackle Will Putnam.
Looking forward to visiting Ohio State Saturday! -H
— Will Putnam (@BigWillPut) March 27, 2017
“I'm looking forward to it. I'm really going to try and meet and talk to the coaches. That's the most important thing to me in the recruiting process,” Putnam told Eleven Warriors. “While I'm there, I'd like to tour the facilities, as well.”
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Putnam is considered the fourth-best offensive tackle and No. 39 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Michigan State, Missouri, Penn State and UCLA.
This will be Putnam's first visit to campus.
