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.
NO DAYS OFF
While most of the recruiting world was focused on five-star running back Zamir White's decision to commit to Georgia on Tuesday afternoon, Ohio State three-star running back commit Master Teague III was on vacation in Myrtle Beach. But instead of enjoying the waves like I would be doing, Teague was busy doing ladder drills in the warm sand.
Even during dead period / vaca @33_blackman takes no days off. #StriveForGreatness #TeamB.E.S.T. pic.twitter.com/FWB2mYKRfa
— Beasley Elite Sports (@strengthcoach34) June 27, 2017
That work ethic was one of the many reasons running backs coach Tony Alford fell in love with Teague, and why I believe fans will eventually be fine with missing out on White.
It's all very similar to the staff's pursuit of five-star Cam Akers the last cycle despite holding a commitment from four-star J.K. Dobbins. When the latter ends up first-team all-freshman this fall, you'll forget all about the former.
As for Teague's recruitment, sources tell me new schools continue to reach out to him daily — Clemson is on the verge of offering. However, he refuses to call them back and is extremely solid in his pledge.
A LOAD OF QUACK
Ohio State's other running back pledge, four-star Brian Snead, has been the subject of rumors ever since he committed to the Buckeyes out of the blue at Friday Night Lights last July. He hasn't been on any other visits, is not very active on social media and doesn't conduct many interviews, which leaves room for interpretation in today's crazy world of recruiting.
Snead has remained strong in his commitment to Ohio State, yet rumors of a flip have once again hit message boards — and this time, Oregon is his rumored destination.
Oregon #Ducks looking to pick up a monster flip. Turn the CFB world upside down. #Rolling
— CFBscout (@CFBscout) June 28, 2017
Snead's teammate, four-star wide receiver Warren Thompson committed to the Ducks last week, becoming the third bay area prospect from the Class of 2018 to pledge his services to the program. He joins Wesley Chapel four-star cornerback Isaiah Bolden and Tampa Bay Tech three-star defensive tackle Jonathan King, which is significant given Oregon is now coached by former USF head man Willie Taggart.
The Ducks also landed Snead's former teammate at Armwood, athlete Darrian McNeal, and Pinellas Park defensive lineman Jordon Scott in this year's recruiting class.
Nothing — of course — is imminent, and the rumors are more so the product of reporters and message board members connecting the aforementioned dots. If Snead visits Oregon, then there may be legs to this. Until then, well, I suggest paying them no mind.
ALTERNATE ROUTE
When Auburn defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson announced his intentions to transfer from the program in mid-May, the Tigers restricted him from transferring within the SEC or to Georgia Southern, Mercer and Ohio State.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Jackson — a native of Ellenwood, Georgia — was considered the No. 50 prospect overall in the Class of 2016. He picked Auburn over finalists Florida, Georgia and Ohio State, but his relationship with defensive line coach Larry Johnson nearly landed him in Columbus the first time around.
Instead, Jackson was just another miss along the defensive front for Johnson and the Buckeyes. He redshirted his lone season in Auburn and now wants to play elsewhere.
"My question was: Why are they blocking Ohio State for no reason?” Jackson told thestate.com earlier this month. “They just put Ohio State on there for no reason. My question to them is why are they blocking me from a Big Ten school when they don’t have anything to do with Big Ten schools? Why didn’t they block me from Michigan or Indiana or any other Big Ten school? Why would they do that immediately?”
Johnson's appeal to have the restrictions lifted was overruled earlier this month, and he's now decided to go the junior college route instead. He'll play at Blinn College in Texas.
The Buckeyes, you'll recall, have some recent history at Blinn. They signed four-star cornerback Kendall Sheffield, formerly of Alabama, in this year's recruiting class.
After playing one season with the Buccaneers, Jackson will be able to sign with the program of his choosing in December. Another program to keep in mind, however, is South Carolina. His brother, linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams, plays for the Gamecocks.
HANDS OFF
The recruiting dead period started on Monday, June 26, and will run through Sunday, July 9, which means college football coaches will get what seems to be their only down time of the year over the next two weeks.
The recruiting calendar, no matter how random it may seem, dictates how much and when coaches are allowed to contact and evaluate prospects. Keeping track of what can happen when may be the most difficult but important part of the recruiting process.
There are also contact, evaluation and quiet periods, and the dead period is — well — exactly what it sounds like. Coaches cannot visit a prospect at school or at home, nor can they make contact if the prospect visits the University. Electronic and written communication is still allowed, but this is easily the most hands-off part of the calendar.
It won't be long before the coaches are back at it at Friday Night Lights on July 21, though.
