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.
MAMMOTH IN THE MIDDLE
Concord, North Carolina, four-star defensive tackle Rick Sandidge included Ohio State in his Top 11 on Monday evening alongside Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Top 11 pic.twitter.com/p5y59AV8PN
— Rick Sandidge (@rickyo_90) May 1, 2017
The 6-foot-5, 273-pound Sandidge is considered the 12th-best defensive tackle and No. 115 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, as he recorded 41 tackles, four sacks and one blocked field goal for the Spiders last season. He was also recently named the most valuable defensive lineman of Rivals' Three Stripe Camp in Charlotte.
Ohio State offered Sandidge last August, but Taron Vincent's commitment last month — as well as the Buckeyes' pursuit of Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star Aeneas Hawkins — makes it highly unlikely he ends up in Columbus. The Gamecocks are the overwhelming favorite at this point in his recruitment.
FORGOTTEN ONE
Seeing as Ohio State didn't take a single tight end in this year's recruiting class, the staff would like to add two in 2018. It's widely assumed Lindenhurst, New York, four-star Jeremy Ruckert will be one, while Missouri City, Texas, Ridge Point four-star Mustapha Muhammad could certainly be the other.
"If they want two tight ends, that's cool with me," Muhammad told Eleven Warriors. "I'm going somewhere I know I can compete and earn playing time, regardless of who is there already."
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Muhammad is considered the 4th-best tight end and No. 92 prospect overall, while a Ruckert is the second-ranked player at the position and No. 62 overall.
He holds nearly three dozen offers after recording 29 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers last season, but Michigan has become the presumed favorite in recent weeks following his trip to Ann Arbor for the Spring Game last month.
That said, Muhammad still remains high on Ohio State. He visited campus for the first time last November for the double-overtime win over the Wolverines.
"Coach [Kevin] Wilson, [Urban] Meyer, [Mark] Pantoni and a lot of other assistants [keep in touch]," Muhammad said. "They just keep me updated with info about the university and program. Also really want me to visit."
With no timetable for a decision, there's plenty of time for that to happen again.
ANOTHER OPTION
If Ohio State strikes out with either Muhammad or Ruckert, another tight end to keep in mind is Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Nease three-star Zach Sheffer, who received a visit from the above-mentioned Wilson on Monday afternoon.
“[He] came to my practice today,” Sheffer told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Sheffer is considered the 21st-best tight end and No. 557 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, as he hauled in 45 receptions for 607 yards and five touchdowns while lining up at tight end, in the slot, and at H-Back for Panthers last season.
He holds nearly 30 offers from programs such as Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, but Ohio State is certainly one of his top schools.
“Best visit yet,” Sheffer said following his first-ever trip to Columbus last month.
Sheffer hopes to narrow down his list later this spring and make a decision before his senior season. His focus now, though, is on the state track and field championships, where he'll compete in the discus throw this Friday.
SOMEONE HAS TO STAY HOME
Just two weeks after he included Ohio State in his Top 6, Atlanta, Georgia, Hapeville Charter three-star cornerback Chris Smith II committed to Georgia. He didn't anticipate making a decision on his future this quickly, but Monday was his 17th birthday.
C O M M I T T E D pic.twitter.com/BUbs9iR8SY
— Christopher Smith ll (@cpsmithdb) May 1, 2017
The 6-foot, 165-pound Smith is rated the 41st-best corner and No. 438 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, having recorded 17 tackles and five interceptions for the Hornets last season. Ohio State offered him a scholarship following a campus visit last month, and his relationship with defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs helped the Buckeyes stand out.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, picked up their recruiting efforts significantly in the last few weeks, and Smith's trip to Athens for G-Day solidified his thoughts on the program. The chances he ended up in Columbus were slim, anyway, following four-star cornerback Sevyn Banks' commitment last week.
