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.
NEAR #BOOM
Ocala, Florida, Belleview four-star offensive tackle Michael Tarquin returned to campus for Saturday's 54-21 win over UNLV. It marked his second visit in a matter of three weeks, as he also attended Ohio State's loss to Oklahoma earlier this month.
“It was better this time because they won,” Tarquin told Eleven Warriors. “I'm really glad I could come back up.”
The Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Tarquin — who is considered the 19th-best offensive tackle and No. 153 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — a scholarship during an unofficial visit in May. He's become especially close to offensive line coach Greg Studrawa in the months since, and there were some close to the Buckeyes who thought he might pull the trigger this weekend.
“I thought about committing,” Tarquin said. “I just want to finish the process [and] make sure it is the right choice.”
Prospects oftentimes make an emotional decision based on a visit, so I commend Tarquin for holding off. He's mentioned several times his desire to check out schools like Clemson, Miami and Michigan before making a decision this winter or next spring, so he'll keep with that timeline moving forward.
Tarquin plans to get back to campus soon, it just might not happen until after the season.
“I would love to, I just don't think I can due to my high school season,” Tarquin said, noting he was only able to attend the game against the Rebels because the Rattlers had an open week on the schedule.
ANOTHER POTTER
Mentor three-star defensive end Noah Potter was the only other well-known prospect to attend Saturday's game, marking what seems like his umteenth time on campus in the last year.
“It was great,” Potter told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Potter is considered the 30th-best strong-side defensive end and No. 410 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He holds offers from Boston College, Bowling Green, Iowa State, Kent State, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Toledo, but hopes his junior season helps him eventually land one from Ohio State.
“I already have more tackles through 4.5 games this year than I had all of last year, and I have six sacks,” Potter said.
While on campus, Potter spent time with head coach Urban Meyer, director of player personnel Mark Pantoni and running backs coach Tony Alford.
“[Meyer] said if I didn't go to Ohio State, he would put a dead horse in my driveway and put screws in my tires so I couldn't leave,” Potter said with a laugh.
Potter — the younger brother of basketball Buckeye Micah Potter — feels as if the staff is close to offering. He acknowledges, though, the chances of that happening depend a lot on how many defensive ends leave after the season and the number of players at the position they bring in this recruiting cycle.
Alford actually invited Potter to attend every home game for the rest of the year.
“I don't know if I'll be able to, but I hope to get a couple more [visits],” he said.
AS THE RECRUITING WORLD TURNS
This summer, Oak Park, Michigan, four-star Dwan Mathis staked his claim to be Ohio State's quarterback for the Class of 2019 with two very impressive performances at a one-day camp in June and Friday Night Lights in July. But the staff held off on an offer because they wanted to see him play out his junior season.
Mathis apparently grew tired of waiting, though, and committed to Michigan State during an unofficial visit for Saturday's game against Notre Dame.
I'm coming home spartandawgs pic.twitter.com/sOjrDGZwZc
— DM5 (@DwanMathis) September 23, 2017
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Mathis is considered the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback and No. 237 prospect overall. He was actually committed to Iowa State at the time of his first visit to Columbus, but reopened his recruitment just a few days later, prompting some to predict he would eventually end up with the Buckeyes.
Ohio State has circled Texas four-star Grant Tisdale as its main target for his recruiting cycle, and for good reason, too. He's led state power Allen to a 3-0 record in his first year as a starter and racked up more than 600 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns along the way.
A NAME TO REMEMBER
Mathis wasn't the only prospect who shined during unofficial visits this summer, as Oakton, Virginia, Flint Hill three-star running back Jordan Houston also caught the staff's eye during a one-day camp in June. He was then invited back for Friday Night Lights.
“They said they've watched my film and they really like it,” Houston told Eleven Warriors. “Mostly just trying to build a good relationship with me. Sending me stuff about the team and wishing me luck on my games.”
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Houston is considered the 35th-best running back and No. 432 prospect overal in the Class of 2019, but — just like current running back commit Jaelen Gill — lost his 2016 season with a broken leg. He's rushed for nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns during his junior year, though, and has since landed offers from Boston College, Old Dominion, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
“The injury was devestating, but it was a minor setback for a major comeback,” Houston said.
As mentioned, Ohio State and the aforementioned Alford have been keeping tabs on Houston this fall. He even reached out ahead of the Huskies' game on Friday.
Houston hopes that continues throughout the season, and eventually results in an offer from the Buckeyes.
“Every offer I get is an honor and they mean a lot to me,” Houston said, “But, wooo, Ohio State would be a big one. I'd definitely be honored and be a very, very happy person if that happens.”
