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.
ANOTHER PLEDGE ON THE HORIZON?
Shortly after he visited Ohio State, Hillsborough, North Carolina, Orange four-star linebacker Payton Wilson mentioned the possibility of delaying his college announcement. It would have certainly been good news for the Buckeyes if had done so, as the staff had been playing catch-up in his recruitment since offering him a scholarship in February.
Wilson never followed through with that, however, and remains on track to make his decision known at approximately noon Monday, May 1, during his school's lunch hour.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Wilson is considered the second-best outside linebacker and No. 84 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He recently narrowed down his more than two dozen offers to Clemson, North Carolina, Ohio State and Virginia Tech.
Coaches from all four schools stopped by Orange within the last week, including Ohio State linebackers coach Bill Davis. But his relationship with North Carolina and defensive assistant John Papuchis goes back more than a year, and his ability to see the field early in Chapel Hill is why the Tar Heels are the presumed favorite.
Verbal commitments don't always means a prospect shuts down his recruitment entirely, so there's a chance Wilson takes visits after he makes his pledge. If he does, the Buckeyes could certainly find themselves in a position to flip him later on in the process.
EVER-EVOLVING RECRUITING TRAIL
There was a time not too long ago when Denver, Colorado, Mullen four-star linebacker Adrian Jackson looked like he'd eventually become a part of Ohio State's Supreme '18 recruiting class. He visited Columbus for last season's win over Nebraska and said the game's atmosphere and the program's camaraderie were second to none.
Of course, things are always fluid on the recruiting trail — priorities change, new schools enter the fray, etc. — and on Saturday, Jackson committed to Oregon following its annual Spring Game. He was one of five prospects to pledge his services to the Ducks this weekend.
110% Committed pic.twitter.com/Kf7tPj93Xg
— ~Jx (@AdrianJackson29) April 30, 2017
“That whole culture and everybody there has built a family environment,” Jackson told Scout. “All the coaches were great and showed me they wanted me bad, and I felt that it was the right vibe for me.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jackson is considered the seventh-best outside linebacker and No. 155 prospect overall. The decision sort of comes as a surprise, as Jackson hadn't yet announced a list of top schools — a rarity in today's world of social media where prospects announce their Top 15 schools regularly.
Ohio State remains in pursuit of top-rated in-state prospects Dallas Gant and Christopher Oats, so Jackson's pledge isn't too devastating. But much like the aforementioned Wilson, there's always a chance the Buckeyes could flip him with a visit next fall.
FOREIGN TERRITORY
Let's get this out of the way: Ohio State hasn't signed a player from the state of Alabama since defensive lineman Donte Wheat in 1981. And with the Crimson Tide's run of seven-consecutive recruiting titles, you'd think it would be harder than ever for the Buckeyes to go into their backyard and pull a top-rated prospect they also want.
Sooner than later, though, it's going to happen. Might that be player be Phenix City Central four-star wide receiver Justyn Ross, who included Ohio State in his Top 11 on Friday night alongside Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Mississippi State and Ole Miss and USC.
— Justyn Ross . (@_Jross5) April 29, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Ross is considered the fifth-best wideout and No. 28 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He was named first-team all-state last season after he recorded 40 receptions for more than 700 yards and eight touchdowns to help the Red Devils to the state semifinals.
Ohio State four-star dual-threat quarterback commit Emory Jones recently said Ross was his top receiver target. Can he help the Buckeyes reel him in? Unlikely, but not impossible.
PLANNING AHEAD
With starting running back Mike Weber eligible to enter the NFL Draft next year and not a whole lot of depth behind him, Ohio State has made the position a priority for the Class of 2018. The Buckeyes already hold commitments from four-stars Jaelen Gill and Brian Snead and are actively looking to add at least one more to the fold.
Of course, the recruiting train keeps chugging, and it's never too early to look for the next great ball carrier. That's why the staff has now offered four of the top five running backs from the Class of 2019, the latest being Katy, Texas, four-star Deondrick Glass.
Very honored and bless to have received an offer from The Ohio ST University! pic.twitter.com/A3v2f4i84e
— Deondrick Glass (@deondrickglass) April 30, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Glass is considered the fifth-best running back and No. 67 prospect overall in his class, having rushed for 1,912 yards and a whopping 30 touchdowns to lead the Tigers to the third round of the state playoffs. He holds double-digit offers from programs such as Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Washington.
“They're all big and great schools, but one of my favorite college running backs went to Ohio State [Ezekiel Elliott],” Glass told Eleven Warriors. “They're all really good schools. I'm grateful that they're even looking at me.”
Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford delivered the news late Saturday night, obviously seeing the similarities on tape between Elliott and Glass.
"We're just starting to get to know each other, but I'm definitely looking to build a better relationship with him,” Glass said.
