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 ONE THAT GOT AWAY?
Just days after he decided to push back his college announcement, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins returned to Ohio State for the umpteenth time.
The trip loomed somewhat large following Hawkins' recent Penn State visit and Cincinnati's emergence under Luke Fickell, but the staff should certainly feel good about its standing in his recruitment.
Ohio State visit was everything I hoped it would be. #GoBucks
— Aeneas Hawkins (@King_Hawk92) April 1, 2017
"It was perfect, man," Hawkins told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hawkins watched practice and spent most of his day with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, as the two watched Hawkins' game film and talked about his possible role at Ohio State.
The three above-mentioned schools will likely be Hawkins' finalists if he narrows things down before making a decision. But if the Buckeyes are going to pull this one out, they absolutely must continue to show him that he's a priority.
ARMY BRAT
One of the top sophomores in the country, four-star offensive tackle Will Putnam, was also among the handful of prospects on campus Saturday. It was his first trip to Ohio State, something he'd been looking forward to since the Buckeyes offered in mid-January.
Had a tremendous time at Ohio State. Loved the intensity! -H! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/7CEX1XOUy1
— Will Putnam (@BigWillPut) April 1, 2017
"I had a great time," Putnam told Eleven Warriors, explaining how he got to watch practice, spoke with an advisor, toured Ohio Stadium and spoke with offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. "I really like the things he had to say. Ohio State has some great offensive linemen, and I look forward to talking more with coach Stud."
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, Penn State and UCLA.
Putnam played the last two years for Chatham, Illinois, Glenwood, but will be transferring to Florida powerhouse Plant this summer.
"My dad's in the army and got stationed down in Tampa, so we are moving down there as a family," he said. "When we found out the news, we were looking for a good school with a good football program -- while still having a wrestling team -- and Plant has it all.
"I've moved before, so I kind of got over being any sort of upset," Putnam continued. "I'm looking forward to what's next."
The move will obviously bring more attention from schools in the south, namely Florida and Florida State, but Putnam hopes to return to campus again soon.
HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Nease three-star tight end Zach Sheffer also made his first-ever trip to Ohio State on Saturday.
Thank u @OSUCoachMeyer @OSUCoachKDub @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB for an incredible visit! #BuckeyeNation #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/7KRT4dz0bI
— Zach Sheffer (@zachsheffer) April 1, 2017
"[It was] awesome," Sheffer told Eleven Warriors. "Best visit yet."
That includes trips to Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami and Michigan.
"[I] had a lot of time to spend with the coaches and players, as well as spend a lot of time checking out the campus," he continued. "They made it very clear to me that they love the fact that I'm a true hybrid tight end."
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Sheffer is considered the 18th-best tight end and No. 443 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds offers from more than two dozen schools, and even though most are in the south, his parents would have no issue with him playing in Columbus.
"They just want me to be comfortable with my decision," Sheffer said.
Sheffer plans to take a few more visits this spring and summer, but a college decision isn't too far away.
"I'd like to cut my list down after spring and hopefully make a decision before I start my senior year," he said.
Expect the Buckeyes to make the cut when he does narrow things down.
TEXAS TWO-YEAR STEP
It's hard to forget the success Ohio State had in Texas, landing three of the state's top six players in this year's recruiting class.
The staff took the first steps in repeating that feat in 2018 on Saturday evening, when Cypress Cy Springs four-star safety Leon O'Neal Jr. included the Buckeyes in his Top 12 alongside Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU and USC.
Take a deep breath 9 and Pick 12 pic.twitter.com/P6owLKEBon
— LeonNumbaNine#9 (@WakeEmUp9) April 2, 2017
"I think you guys all know why," O'Neal Jr. told Eleven Warriors, speaking to the relationship he's formed with the coaches since they offered him a scholarship in early February.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound O'Neal is considered the 13th-best safety and No. 131 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. But with five-star Jaiden Woodbey already committed and fellow four-stars Amari Burney and B.J. Foster also listing Ohio State among their top schools, it's hard to see at this point where all the secondary pieces fit.
BACK TO 100 PERCENT
Ohio State five-star running back commit Jaelen Gill showed no ill-effects from a fractured fibula he suffered last September while working out this weekend.
He's baaack 5Jaelen Gill @jaelengill21 nations #1 all-purpose back and newly committed buckeye workin (new version old didn't work) pic.twitter.com/Ysmdvz98oE
— Coach Rank (@coachrank1) April 2, 2017
It's not only good news for the Buckeyes, but also Westerville South, which struggled to a 1-9 record without the 6-foot-1, 182-pound Gill last season.
The Wildcats, under new head coach Matt Christ, could more than use the 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns he put up as a sophomore.
