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.
AS THE WORLD TURNS
If you're reading this, I appreciate you taking a few minutes away from constantly refreshing your Twitter feed to find out whether Stockbridge, Georgia, four-star defensive end Brenton Cox has committed to Georgia or Ohio State.
He will reportedly announce his pledge “at some point on Tuesday,” and I anticipate some booming news for the Buckeyes.
VIP via @Mansell247: Top 50 prospect set to decide https://t.co/lCsJ5wwA7O pic.twitter.com/6WRJfN58GO
— Dawgs247 (@Dawgs247) April 25, 2017
The 6-foot-5, 247-pound Cox has been to Georgia more than any other school, and the Bulldogs have long been considered the favorite in his recruitment. As we've mentioned on numerous occasions, his family hasn't been shy about their allegiance to the program and their disdain for cold weather.
Yet Ohio State has made great strides in the week or so following his recent trip to Columbus for the Spring Game, after which he announced his intentions of choosing a school this week.
Both programs have stopped by Cox's high school in the last two days, as Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson was at his high school on Monday. The two couldn't have contact, as I'll explain more in detail below, but it was certainly the Buckeyes' last chance to show him how much they want him in Columbus.
Double digit Crystal Ball predictions in favor of Ohio State have been placed today, including 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong and Georgia recruiting analyst Kipp Adams. If you weren't already convinced by our pick, reading the tea leaves is often a good predictor of a looming decision.
NO SURPRISE HERE
Though he recently made his first trip to Columbus for the annual Spring Game, Charlotte, North Carolina, West Mecklenburg four-star athlete Dyami Brown elected to stay home and committed to North Carolina on Tuesday afternoon.
I will be commiting to the University of North Carolina #tarheels pic.twitter.com/YiWwJG03gs
— Dyami Brown (@deuce2_) April 25, 2017
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Brown is considered the 12th-best athlete and No. 208 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. In addition to Ohio State, he held 15 offers from programs such as Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Brown played a mix of running back and wide receiver for the Hawks last season and finished the year with 43 carries for 314 yards and two touchdowns and 54 catches for 1,012 yards and 12 more scores. The Tar Heels have a glaring need at the position, so Brown will have a chance to play right away.
STAYING IN THE TAR HEEL STATE
College football's spring evaluation period opened just over a week ago, so Ohio State coaches will travel the country over the next month or so to meet with coaches or watch prospects compete in practice and/or other athletic events.
Keep in mind, though, no contact is permitted during this time. That means no in-home visits or meetings with the prospects beyond the exchange of a passing greeting.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and running backs coach Tony Alford stopped by Laurinburg, North Carolina, on Monday afternoon to see Scotland five-star running back Zamir White. Wilson then followed that up with a trip to Cary to watch Green Hope four-star athlete Jordyn Adams.
Glad to have Coach Kevin Wilson from Ohio State come by this afternoon!
— Green Hope Football (@GHHS_Football) April 25, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound White recently excluded Ohio State from his Top 4, but the staff isn't giving up hope just yet. He visited campus for the Spring Game, his third trip to Columbus in the last year, and is extremely close with Alford. Georgia is considered the front-runner in his recruitment at this point in time, but a lot can change between now and his scheduled June 27 announcement.
White is considered the top-rated running back and No. 5 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, having rushed 1,774 yards and 26 touchdowns to help Scotland County to the state semifinals. He was named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year as a result.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Adams, meanwhile, included Ohio State in his Top 5 last week alongside Alabama, Clemson, LSU and North Carolina. Most feel Adams, much like the above-mentioned Brown, will end up with the Tar Heels, but the Buckeyes could find themselves in the thick of things if the staff makes him a priority sooner rather than later. Tuesday's visit sure makes it seem like they are.
Adams is considered the 35th-best wideout and No. 173 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, though he threw for 2,350 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns last seasons as the quarterback for Blythewood, South Carolina. He transferred to Green Hope in January to be closer to his father, Deke, who is the defensive line coach at East Carolina.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
Staying down south, Ohio State quarterbacks coach Ryan Day was in Hogansville, Georgia, today to see Callaway four-star offensive guard Keiondre Jones.
Big thanks to @ryandaytime from THE Ohio State Football for stopping by this morning and discussing our ballers! #CavsRecruits pic.twitter.com/Tbrd3oIe9T
— Callaway Recruiting (@CavsRecruits) April 25, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Jones is considered the fourth-best offensive guard and the No. 82 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. The Buckeyes offered him a scholarship back in mid-January.
Jones, you may recall, is the cousin of Ohio State four-star dual-threat quarterback commit Emory Jones, who Day is expected to visit sometime this week. He plans to make his first trip to Columbus this fall.
“Emory has told me about the atmosphere up there,” Jones said. “I can't wait to get up.”
