The Hurry Up: Four-Star Wide Receiver Makes Decision While Ohio State Offers Top Texas Underclassmen

FLY LIKE AN EAGLE

To nobody's surprise, Houston Alief Taylor four-star wide receiver Brennan Eagles committed to Texas on Monday evening. He picked the Longhorns, who now sit at No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings, over finalists Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU and USC.  

@CoachTomHerman IM READY pic.twitter.com/ppwX7WaEig

— (@_BrennanEagles_) July 25, 2017

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound Eagles is considered the fifth-best wideout and No. 29 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, having recorded recorded 55 catches for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns to help the Lions to the state playoffs last fall. I was afforded the opportunity to watch him participate at Nike Football's The Opening Finals earlier this month, after which I gave the following evaluation:

Eagles is a big-bodied wide receiver similar to that of former Ohio State wideouts Michael Thomas and Noah Brown. He's not the fastest prospect out there, but he has excellent hands and doesn't seem afraid of contact when going up for a catch.

Unfortunately, Eagles has declined all interview requests for the past several months — including those in Oregon — so it was unclear if he ever planned to visit Columbus for the first time. Head coach Urban Meyer met with him during a satellite camp at Texas Southern in early June, however.

Regardless, Eagles was never really a priority for the staff. His credentials obviously made him an attractive option, but St. Louis four-star Kamryn Babb and Huber Heights Wayne four-star L'Christian “Blue” Smith have been the only realistic prospects at the wide receiver position. The Buckeyes, of course, remain the favorite to land both in the next month or so.

20/20 VISION

With Ohio State's national recruiting approach, it's more important than ever to get in the game early with out-of-state prospects. With that said, the Buckeyes offered a scholarship on Monday night to New Caney, Texas, sophomore cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University of HIO State Buckeyes @NCEagleFootball @NatlPlaymkrsAca #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/eHxBN316DP

— Dwight McGlothern jr (@DMcglothern2) July 25, 2017

"Earning an offer from a top school in academics and college football is a blessing," McGlothern told Eleven Warriors. "It's very awesome to earn one from a school that produces many people in my position to the NFL, and I'd get to earn a great education there.

"I love how Urban Meyer coaches. He loves winning and I love winning," he continued. "Earning that offer had me excited and happy."

Like every other prospect from the Class of 2020, the 6-foot-1, 161-pound McGlothern is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites. He recorded 30 tackles, 12 pass break ups and four interceptions for the Eagles last season to earn offers from Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Oregon and Tennessee.

It's too early to project what Ohio State's roster will look like or what the staff's need at cornerback will be for that cycle, but getting in the door with McGlothner this early is wise given the Buckeyes' recent success at recruiting the Lone Star State.

He could potentially follow in the footsteps of fellow Texas five-star cornerbacks Jeffrey Okudah and Anthony Cook, who will make his college decision this fall.

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

Ohio State welcomed Dacula, Georgia, cornerback Jalen Perry to campus for an unofficial visit on Monday afternoon. He made the trip up I-75 with his parents for the first time.

Visit in buckeye land was very impressive! #OhioState @ChadSimmons_ @MattDeBary @Mansell247 @Birm @MurfBaldwin @OhioStateFB @Bucknuts247 pic.twitter.com/kWfySzbYyU

— Jalen Perry (@Jayworld05) July 25, 2017

“[They have] a very rich tradition of winning and great players and coaches that have been a part of Ohio State football,” Perry told Eleven Warriors. “Very nice facilities. Coaching staff [is] very good. I enjoyed talking with them, and also, the campus atmosphere was very cool.”

The 6-foot, 170-pound Perry doesn't have a ranking attached to his name, either, given only a few prospects from the Class of 2019 do. He holds more than a dozen offers, though, from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Stanford and Tennessee. The Buckeyes offered back in late May.

With head coach Urban Meyer in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, Perry spent most of the afternoon with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.

“It was great,” Perry said. “We had a really good conversation and not just about football, but about life. I really enjoy the way he can relate to most of his players. Also, obviously, he has a great defensive mind, as well, so he will put the Buckeyes in the best position to be successful on defense.”

Ohio State has made significant strides in Georgia in recent years, most notably holding a commitment from Franklin Heard County four-star quarterback Emory Jones. It's certainly something Perry recognizes.

“I would say they are toward the top,” Perry said. “And I'm OK with playing that far from home because my family agreed that if I went there, they would be able to hop on an hour and a half flight to see me play or about a nine-hour drive.”

CIRCLING BACK

Keeping with the Peach State, Ohio State offered a scholarship last month to Carrollton outside linebacker Kevin Swint. I caught up with him on Monday evening.

“It means a lot to me,” Swint told Eleven Warriors. “It was truly a blessing from God because I've been grinding so hard and trying to perfect my craft and it's paying off. I really wanted this offer, but I didn't know it would come that soon in my life.”

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Swint is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, but is expected to be among the top-rated players in the Class of 2020 after he recorded 51 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception to help the Trojans to the state playoffs last season. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan and Tennessee.

Swint is still growing, and could potentially turn into a defensive end at the next level. Sources down south tell Eleven Warriors he reminds them a lot of current Ohio State commit Brenton Cox.