The Hurry Up: Center Target Commits to Penn State While Quarterback Includes Ohio State Among Top Schools

FRESHLY SQUEEZED

As expected, Erie, Pennsylvania, Cathedral Prep four-star center Fredrick "Juice" Scruggs committed to Penn State this afternoon over finalist Ohio State.

Ashtabula, We good!! #WeAre18 #HessStrong pic.twitter.com/97cdNqAlxc

— Supa (@JuiceScruggs) August 4, 2017

The Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-3, 270-pound Scruggs a scholarship last September, but didn't make waves in his recruitment until he took an unofficial visit in mid-March. He was among the staff's top targets at the center position for much of the current recruiting cycle, and there was talk of a possible commitment when he attended the Spring Game in mid-April.

But dealing with some unspecified family/personal issues this summer, Scruggs — who is considered the second-best center and No. 196 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — put his recruitment on the back burner for a while. And with New York four-star Matthew Jones committing to Ohio State in mid-June, few knew where Scruggs fit into the staff's plans as recently as last weekend.

Jones' versatility along the line and his ability to play the center position more or less ended any hope of Scruggs landing in Columbus.

Penn State, meanwhile, looked at Scruggs as someone who would fill a significant need along the offensive line. It's worth noting, though, this isn't a win for the Nittany Lions over the Buckeyes — Scruggs just didn't have a spot with the latter.

A HILL TO CLIMB

Pinson Valley, Alabama, four-star quarterback Bo Nix included Ohio State in his Top 8 on Thursday night alongside Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and LSU.  

Top 8 pic.twitter.com/hcayj3YgZl

— Bo Nix (@bo_nix10) August 4, 2017

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Nix is considered the top-rated dual-threat quarterback and No. 111 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he threw for 1,737 yards and 16 touchdowns and ran for 1,300 yards and 20 scores last season to lead the Wildcats to the state quarterfinals. He is the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, who finished his college career as the school's all-time leader in passing efficiency.

Nix visited campus for the first and only time last November for Ohio State's double-overtime win over Michigan, and the staff subsequently offered him a scholarship during the spring evaluation period. He's one of four or five quarterbacks in the running to become the Buckeyes' lone signal caller for the 2019 recruiting cycle — a list that includes Oregon four-star Michael Johnson Jr., Texas four-star Grant Tisdale and Michigan three-star Dwan Mathis, who has yet to land an offer from the staff.

With that said, though, it would be pretty difficult for Ohio State to pull him away from Auburn or Florida State. His dad obviously played for the Tigers, while Seminoles' head coach Jimbo Fisher was his quarterbacks coach at the time.

THERE'S SOME INTEREST

Ohio State already holds a commitment from Florida four-star cornerback Sevyn Banks and will look to close out the current recruiting cycle with a pledge from Texas five-star Anthony Cook.

But it's never too early to look forward to the Class of 2019.
One name to keep in mind is Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco four-star cornerback Chris Steele, who recently backed off his pledge from UCLA.

Breaking: Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco '19 Chris Steele backs off #UCLA commitment, opening up his recruitment https://t.co/8oMfe7vojz pic.twitter.com/jAftmnj9mh

— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) August 2, 2017

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Steele is considered the fourth-best corner and No. 74 prospect overall in his class. He picked the Bruins in January, but has since landed offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma and Stanford.
And given the fact that he's teammates with Ohio State four-star safety commit Jaiden Woodbey, I expect the Buckeyes to follow suit sooner rather than later.

"That's really all he's been talking about since he committed," Steele told Eleven Warriors. "He wants me to play with him. I have a lot of interest in Ohio State.”

Steele's paternal family is from Ohio, and he's grown up watch the Buckeyes play every Saturday. The interest is real, and he speaks with linebackers coach Bill Davis regularly. It's just a matter of getting to campus and building upon those relationships.

"They are obviously a really good school with a lot of tradition,” Steele said.

I expect Steele to tag along with Woodbey when he takes his official visit this fall. And who knows, maybe that's the first step in continuing the pipeline at St. John Bosco.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

MaxPreps included five Ohio State commits in its preseason all-American teams earlier this week, something that should come as no surprise given the elite level at which the Buckeyes are recruiting.

23 different states represented in the list of the best HS football players from the Class of 2019!

List: https://t.co/pdDseXC1Ft pic.twitter.com/kVMtAfF65D

— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) August 2, 2017

Top targets were spread out among their junior and sophomore teams, too:

• IMG Academy four-star junior running back Noah Cain
• Indianapolis four-star junior wide receiver David Bell
• Texas four-star junior wide receiver Theo Wease Jr.
• Michigan five-star junior offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs
• Olentangy Orange junior five-star defensive end Zach Harrison
• Georgia four-star junior linebacker Owen Pappoe
• California five-star junior athlete Horace “Bru” McCoy
• Texas four-star junior quarterback Grant Tisdale (second team)
• Baltimore four-star junior linebacker Shane Lee (second team)
• Arizona sophomore quarterback Jack Miller
• Tennessee sophomore offensive tackle Jake Wray
• Texas sophomore cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr.
• IMG Academy sophomore athlete Lejond Cavazos
• Maryland sophomore defensive end Bryan Bresee (second team)
• Virginia sophomore defensive end Treyshaun Mitchell (second team)
• Georgia sophomore linebacker Kevin Swint (second team)

As I mentioned yesterday, only time will tell how many ultimately end up in Columbus. But it speaks volumes about the absurd amount of talent for which Ohio State is among the favorites.