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.
FLYING UNDER THE RADAR
This afternoon, we unveiled the most up-to-date list of which prospects are set to attend Ohio State's highly anticipated matchup. You surely recognized the commits and five-star targets, but one name you may have easily overlooked is Westfield, Indiana, cornerback Dorian Henson.
“I'm most looking forward to seeing what the atmosphere is like with a big game and all of the hype,” Henson told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Henson is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, nor does he hold any offers. He'll certainly see the interest spike as teams shift their focus to the Class of 2019, however.
Henson, who has recorded 37 tackles, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss in his two-year varsity career, attended several camps — including Ohio State — this summer. Indiana and Purdue have also shown early interest.
Henson, the son of former Tennessee running back Tavio Henson, talks with assistant coordinator Kerry Coombs weekly.
“He's an amazing coach who I know loves his players and will do whatever it takes for them to be successful,” he said.
Henson hopes that relationship, as well as a well as a strong camp circuit next spring and summer, will one day net him an offer from the Buckeyes.
“It would be a lot,” he said. “[I'd see] that my hard work is starting to pay off.”
WON'T DETER HIM
St. Louis Christian Brothers College four-star wide receiver Kamryn Babb became the latest Ohio State target to receive his honorary U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey on Wednesday afternoon.
Dream come true.. #blessed https://t.co/fq4wy03paA
— Kamryn Babb (@kamm_o) October 25, 2017
“It’s a great honor, just being involved with something I’ve watched growing up, being involved with,” Babb told USA TODAY Sports. “A lot of guys you watch on Saturdays and Sundays played in this game, so it’s a blessing to be named as a part of this. I have to thank God, my family, my friends, my teammates, everybody for this.”
The 6-foot-1, 189-pound Babb is considered the ninth-best wideout and No. 56 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, though he's missed his entire senior season with a torn ACL. He's kept his chin high, however, as he's watched the Cadets roll to a 9-1 record this season.
“It’s going well. I’m grinding every day,” Babb said. “I’m doing the things I have to so I can make it back while taking things slowly. I’m thanking God for allowing me to watch my teammates play, watching them do their thing, and just enjoying my senior year. God always has a plan. Going through the things I’m going through, it will lead to something better.”
Babb is also set to return to campus for an official visit this weekend, his first time in Columbus since he attended — but did not participate in — a one-day camp in June. There's the belief he'll leave as the Buckeyes' most recent commit, despite Alabama, LSU, Michigan, UCLA and USC all hoping to land an official visit later this year.
“I want to get to know the programs more, meet and talk to people, see how I’d fit at the school,” Babb said. "I’m letting it play out, taking my time and enjoying the process. I’m going about it and enjoying it. Being recruited is a once in a lifetime experience.”
If he does commit to Ohio State, Babb will join future teammates Taron Vincent, Jeremy Ruckert, Jaelen Gill, Max Wray, Dallas Gant, Jaiden Woodbey and Josh Proctor at the Army Bowl, which takes place Jan. 6 in San Antonio. He won't play in the game, however, as he'll continue to rehab his knee.
ANOTHER WRINKLE
Just two days ahead of the big game, Penn State picked up a commitment from Wayne, New Jersey, DePaul Catholic three-star quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson.
C O M M I T E D(No interviews until Saturday) pic.twitter.com/oSXQe504sB
— tr.1__ (@TaquanRoberson_) October 26, 2017
The 6-foot, 185-pound Roberson is considered the 17th-best dual-threat quarterback and No. 483 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, and he picked the Nittany Lions over offers from Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and a host of smaller schools.
So, you ask, what does this have to do with Ohio State? After all, the Buckeyes have seemingly zeroed in on Texas four-star Grant Tisdale as their quarterback of the future.
Well, Roberson is the teammate of four-star athlete “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman, who is one of defensive coordinator Greg Schiano’s top targets next cycle. Penn State was already bound to be a player in his recruitment, but even more so now with Roberson’s pledge.
The battles between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have only been intensified by last year’s result. But it’s clear Tyreke Smith and Jayson Oweh won’t be the last prospects torn between the two programs.
