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.
A STREAK EVEN CAL RIPKEN JR. ENVIES
It is with great sadness I sit at my computer this evening to let you all know my 26-year run of not working on my birthday has come to an end. But, then again, it's not really work if you enjoy what you're doing, right?
Anyway, on to a special birthday edition of The Hurry Up.
FLAG PLANTED FIRMLY IN THE MICHIGAN SOIL
The 2017 edition of Friday Night Lights could potentially be the most star-studded event in its six-year history, with Ohio State commits Brenton Cox, Dallas Gant, Jaelen Gill, Josh Proctor, Brian Snead, Master Teague III, Jaiden Woodbey and Max Wray and targets Kamryn Babb, Jayson Oweh, Micah Parsons, Jeremy Ruckert and L'Christian "Blue" Smith among those expected to be in attendance.
And that doesn't even include top-rated junior prospects like Cade Stover, Jowon Briggs and Belleville, Michigan, four-star offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs, who will return to campus for the second time in four months.
“I always wanna connect with some of the players in order to catch their vibe of the place,” Dobbs told Eleven Warriors. “What I've learned is that players will tell you the truth. Coaches will boost their school up no matter what — not that that's a bad thing. But players will keep it real with you.”
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Dobbs is considered the top-rated offensive tackle and No. 18 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he holds more than two dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. He actually earned his offer from the Buckeyes during Friday Night Lights last summer, and has seen his relationship with assistant coordinator and area recruiter Kerry Coombs flourish in the year since. “He's a very enthusiastic coach, and I like that out of my coaches,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs was one of only a handful of underclassmen to be invited to The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon, earlier this month, where he spent significant time with several Ohio State commits and targets on Team Vapor Speed.
“It was a true blessing,” Dobbs said. “Best football experience ever. After two days, we felt like brothers.”
Naturally, you'd expect a player of his caliber to be close to a final decision on his future, but Dobbs only plans to release a Top 15 — or so — before the start of his junior season. Most anticipate it'll be a battle between the Buckeyes and Wolverines for his services, though.
“Trust with the coaches and my environment [will be the deciding factor],” Dobbs said.
ON THE RISE
Another Michigander set to attend Friday Night Lights on July 21 is Oak Park three-star Dwan Mathis, who was among the most impressive quarterbacks at Ohio State's three one-day camps this summer...and that includes four-star commit Emory Jones.
The lanky 6-foot-4, 185-pound Mathis — considered the seventh-best dual-threat quarterback and No. 282 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — was committed to Iowa State at the time, but has since reopened his recruitment. Michigan State offered him a scholarship during an on-campus visit on Wednesday morning, and schools such as Florida State and Georgia have shown interest, as well.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day were particularly impressed with Mathis' accuracy and arm strength during the camp, and I'm sure they're itching to see how he performs under the lights in Ohio Stadium in two weekends. Day jokingly told Mathis' coaches he wasn't going to let him leave the facility that day, certainly aware of how underrated he is.
“They said I threw the ball well and I have natural talent,” Mathis told Eleven Warriors. “Stuff you can't teach.”
I fully expect Ohio State to offer him a scholarship during the event, meaning the race to be *the* quarterback in the Class of 2019 is already shaping up to be a good one. Some notable rising junior quarterbacks already holding offer from the Buckeyes include Oregon four-star Michael Johnson Jr. and Texas four-star Grant Tisdale.
“I would love to get the offer,” Mathis said.
IN KEEPING WITH THE THEME...
Saline, Michigan, cornerback Myles “M.J.” Griffin will also attend Friday Night Lights, his fourth trip to campus in the last year and second in as many months.
“Coach Coombs asked me to be there after camp,” Griffin told Eleven Warriors, “so I'm going to go back and try to ball out again. Every time I go to Ohio State, he always shows me love. I really think he feels like I'm an Ohio State defensive back.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Griffin is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, but has picked up offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky and Louisville during camps this spring. He recorded 15 tackles and five pass breakups during his sophomore season will Belleville, where he was teammates with the aforementioned Dobbs, but transferred to Saline in December.
Griffin, who recently told me his mom had a dream he'll eventually play for the Buckeyes, hopes this is the visit he'll finally earn an offer. But, that said, he's just focused on taking care of the things he can control.
“I've learned to just go and compete,” Griffin said. “I hope they offer, though. All their defensive backs go to the league.”
DOESN'T ADD UP
Now I'm not someone who subscribes to the narrative that various media outlets and recruiting services look down upon Ohio State commits at camps and in their rankings. But after witnessing firsthand their stellar individual efforts at The Opening last week, I was taken aback by the fact that only one made first- or second-team offense or defense when it was announced on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
#TheOpening Finals
— The Opening (@TheOpening) July 12, 2017
All-Offense 1st Team pic.twitter.com/nUyO5NsYpC
As you'll see, the aforementioned Gill was named first-team offense after leading Vapor Speed to the title game. No Woodbey, who was without question the best safety at the event? No Sevyn Banks, who led the event in interceptions? No Babb, who scored two touchdowns in the championship game for Mach Speed? I could go on, but let's just say these honors have left a lot to be desired.
On the bright side, at least they included four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert...
