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.
LIKE STEALING CANDY FROM A BABY
With Tennessee in the midst of another mediocre season and seemingly on the verge of firing head coach Butch Jones, Ohio State views the state as ripe for the picking — much like it did Texas in the last recruiting cycle.
The Buckeyes already hold commitments from Franklin four-star offensive tackle Max Wray and Murfreesboro Blackman three-star running back Master Teague III and remain among the favorites to land the latter's teammate, four-star wide receiver Trey Knox.
They're hoping that trend will continue well into the future, too, which is why the staff offered a scholarship on Thursday afternoon to Oakland four-star cornerback Woodi Washington.
Blessed and thankful to receive an offer from Ohio State University #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/3mqIRcQKgw
— Woodi Washington (@WashingtonWoodi) October 5, 2017
“It's very exciting knowing they are a top program and have a lot of defensive backs go early in the draft,” Washington told Eleven Warriors.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Washington is considered the 31st-best cornerback and No. 296 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he's recorded 15 tackles and two interceptions for the Patriots this season. Both of those picks came in the fourth quarter of Oakland's 42-21 win over Blackman earlier this season, and he's since landed offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU and Oregon.
“It's been great and exciting,” Washington said. “It's something every athlete dreams of and it's finally happening.”
Like he did with Teague, Wray and so many other kids in Tennessee, running backs coach and area recruiter Tony Alford has already made a strong impression on Washington.
“[He's] a great guy and very funny,” he said. “Max's dad said [he] likes me a lot.
Washington will waste no time in seeing Ohio State, either, as he'll be in Columbus for Saturday's game against Maryland with four-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu and four-star wide receiver Lance Wilhoite.
TWO IN A ROW?
It goes without saying Ohio State five-star defensive end commit Brenton Cox is among the most terrifying players in high school football.
Teams ofter run away from his side of the field, yet the Stockbridge, Georgia, native has still recorded two sacks, two quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the undefeated Tigers this season.
His exceptional efforts were recognized on Thursday morning when USA TODAY Sports nominated him as a mid-season candidate for the American Family Insurance All-USA Defensive Player of the Year.
MIDSEASON REPORT: Meet the 2017 @amfam ALL-USA Defensive Player of the Year Candidates! https://t.co/kIGYSs6RDl
— USA TODAY HSS (@usatodayhss) October 5, 2017
Other notable nominees include Houston five-star cornerback Anthony Cook, Pennsylvania five-star defensive end Micah Parsons, Florida four-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield and IMG Academy five-star defensive end Nolan Smith II. Offensively, Fairfield five-star offensive tackle Jackson Carman and Indianapolis four-star wide receiver David Bell were listed.
Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell and cornerback Shaun Wade were the offensive and defensive players of the year last season, marking the first time since USC in 2012 that one school swept the awards.
With that said, there's a good chance the Buckeyes could do so for the second-consecutive year if Carman eventually chooses Ohio State over Clemson and USC in December.
NO TIME OFF
Seffner, Florida, Armwood and Ohio State four-star running back commit Brian Snead are in the midst of playing six times in a matter of 20 days thanks to Hurricane Irma, which forced the postponement of two games earlier this season.
So far, though, it hasn’t slowed the Hawks down, as they knocked off Chamberlain, 24-7, on Monday night.
The game was marred by penalties, as Armwood had three touchdowns called back, but still led 10-7 through three quarters. Snead caught fire in the fourth and led the Hawks to a pair of scoring drives that sealed the game.
Snead finished the game with 19 carries and a game-high 143 yards rushing. Armwood turns around and plays winless Tampa King on Friday night.
ANOTHER FUTURE BUCKEYE?
Ohio State has added commitments from three preferred walk-ons in as many weeks. Will the staff soon make it four?
A name to pay attention to in that regard is St. Ignatius offensive lineman Jack Jamieson, to whom the staff extended an walk-on opportunity on Monday night.
Very excited to say that I have received a preferred walk-on offer to The Ohio State University! pic.twitter.com/xVQv17I1Lv
— Jack Jamieson (@JackJamieson16) October 2, 2017
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Jamieson is not ranked by any major recruiting sites, but is a two-time captain for the defending state finalist Wildcats. He holds an offer from Ohio Dominican.
As mentioned, Ohio State has already added three walk-one this cycle, including Big Walnut’s Abe Myers, Piqua’s Ben Schmiesing and Dublin Jerome’s Cade Kacherski. The staff typically only offers the spots, which include every perk a scholarship athlete gets minus free tuition, to in-state prospects.
