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.
INCOMING BOOM?
For the second time in just over a week, head coach Urban Meyer and his staff will get a visit from a five-star prospect seemingly down to Ohio State and Florida State. This time, it's Virginia Beach, Virginia, Bishop Sullivan linebacker Teradja Mitchell, who was last on campus for the Buckeyes' double-overtime win over Michigan in November.
Peep the location
— Teradja Mitchell (@WhosThatNumber7) April 7, 2017
“Last time I visited, it was only for The Game. This time, I plan on checking out everything,” Mitchell, you may recall, told Eleven Warriors. “The two major things is talking with the coaches and seeing how I can fit in their system, and I want to check the business program out.”
Shortly after the 6-foot-2, 232-pound Mitchell arrived in Columbus, 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong put in a Crystal Ball prediction for the second-best inside linebacker and No. 21 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 to eventually commit to Ohio State. And after talking to some of my own sources back in Virginia Beach — where I lived for two years — I followed suit.
In fact, those same sources told me the two programs come into the weekend neck-and-neck for Mitchell's services and an impressive pitch from Meyer and linebackers coach Bill Davis could lead to his pledge this weekend. Knowing how well the Seminoles have recruited Hampton Roads over the last few years, it would be a major coup for the Buckeyes.
It's certainly not unprecedented, though, as Norfolk's Jalyn Holmes went against the grain when he committed to Ohio State in 2013.
Of course, holding onto Mitchell's commitment would be difficult, and I would not be shocked if he took all of his official visits this — maybe even before he commits. But one thing is for certain, the Buckeyes have put themselves in great position for one of the top players in the country once again.
ANOTHER ONE?
McDonough, Georgia, Eagles Landing Christian four-star cornerback Tre' Douglas, meanwhile, has not been shy about his love for Ohio State. In fact, he named the Buckeyes his leader last month, which makes this weekend's visit loom rather large.
I'll be in Columbus tonight #Shhhhh18 .
— Tre' Douglas (@tredough8) April 7, 2017
“It should be special,” Douglas told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Douglas is considered the 30th-best cornerback and the No. 323 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, holding offers from more than 30 programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas, UCLA and USC. Ohio State stands out, though, because he speaks with Meyer and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs on a daily basis.
Douglas plans to make a decision on his future sometime this spring, so why not this weekend? Ohio State, of course, took five cornerbacks in its 2017 recruiting class and remains the favorite for higher-rated players like IMG Academy's Houston Griffith and Houston's Anthony Cook. But if Douglas truly wants in, I think he's too good of a prospect to pass up.
BASH BROTHERS
This weekend is not only important for the current recruiting cycle, but could greatly impact the Class of 2020 — man, where does the time go — too, as Franklin, Tennessee, offensive tackle Jake Wray told Eleven Warriors he and his older brother, Max, will be on campus this weekend.
“I'm excited to see practice and meet the coaches and talk to them,” Wray said.
The 6-foot-7, 289-pound Max is considered the fourth-best offensive tackle and No. 57 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. A former Georgia commit, he holds 17 offers from programs such as Alabama, Clemson, LSU, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and USC.
Jake, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-5, 290-pound freshman with more than a dozen offers from schools like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas and UCLA. Ohio State offered both in mid-March, which made Jake only the second prospect from the Class of 2020 the Buckeyes have offered thus far.
HOMETOWN PRIDE
Ohio State has done well recruiting Cincinnati in recent years, but the Bearcats are having quite the revival under former defensive coordinator Luke Fickell thanks to his increased focus on keeping the region's best players home.
On Thursday afternoon, Fickell landed a commitment from LaSalle four-star right end Josh Whyle, who would absolutely have an offer from the Buckeyes if the staff wasn't chasing out-of-state prospects like New York's Jeremy Ruckert and Texas' Mustapha Muhammad.
I'm extremely excited to announce I have committed to the University of Cincinnati! pic.twitter.com/3ml5VrqahJ
— Josh Whyle (@jwhyle17) April 6, 2017
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Whyle is considered the 15th-best player in the state and No. 14 tight end overall in the Class of 2018. He recently visited Ohio State, but the Buckeyes planned to continue to evaluate him into his senior year.
Now, he'd be a tough pull even with an offer because he's set to take a leadership role in Cincinnati's class.
"I'm trying to get the local guys, too," Whyle told Eleven Warriors.
DESTINED TO BE A BUCKEYE WITH THAT NAME
One prospect who Whyle would surely like to keep home is Cincinnati Anderson sophomore offensive guard Zeke Correll, who was on Ohio State's campus for Thursday's practice.
I had a LEGENDARY visit at Ohio State University. VERY impressive!! #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/qKVJldRt62
— Zeke Correll (@zekecorrell) April 6, 2017
“It was awesome. Really changed how I view the Buckeyes,” Correll told Eleven Warriors. “I've never been to a game or met any of the coaches or anything. After visiting, it really changed my mindset because I found out what they're all about.”
Like every prospect who goes on an unofficial visit this spring, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Correll toured the facilities, took pictures with the national championship trophy, had lunch — at Five Guys, no less — with offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and chatted with head coach Urban Meyer.
“He said him and coach Studrawa were going to watch my film and they wanted to keep in touch. They also wanted me to work with them so they could see how I work in person and if I am worthy of an Ohio State offer,” Correll said. “It would mean a lot to me [if they offered]. That's an elite football program that is always capable of winning a title.”
If the Buckeyes ultimately want to land Correll, they'll have to contend with Kentucky, where his grandfather was an All-American under legendary coach Bear Bryant.
