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.
DECISION DAY LOOMS
If Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday afternoon, defensive line coach Larry Johnson won't be able to celebrate for very long. In fact, as soon as the confetti stops falling, he'll board a plane for Pocatello, Idaho, in order to conduct an in-home visit with Highland four-star defensive tackle Tommy Togiai on Sunday afternoon.
“He’s getting an in-home visit with Utah today and then Washington tomorrow,” Highland head coach Gino Mariani told Eleven Warriors. “Larry will be by Sunday, and Urban [Meyer] will do an in-home on Tuesday.”
This appears to be the staff’s final push for the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Togiai — who is considered the sixth-best defensive tackle and No. 94 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — as he’s expected to make a decision early next month among the Buckeyes, Huskies and Utes.
“He keeps it pretty close to the vest,” Mariani said. “He’s just going to listen to what they have to say, how they see him fitting in their defense and how he’ll be able to help, them make a decision from there.”
Ohio State already holds commitments from two defensive tackles in five-star Taron Vincent and junior college transfer Antwuan Jackson, but the staff would certainly welcome another talented prospect at a position for which they’re often criticized on the recruiting trail.
Togiai recently helped Highland to a 14-8 win over Coeur d’Alene in the state championship, giving the Rams their 11th title in program history and first since 2014. He led the team this season with 93 tackles and 11 sacks, which includes two sacks of Washington four-star quarterback commit Colson Yankoff in the final game of his high school career.
“It was a heck of a defensive effort,” Mariani said.
I’ve said before it feels like a toss up between Ohio State and Washington, so it’s hard to predict what Togiai will do. If distance is truly not a factor, his relationship with the staff will ultimately be the deciding factor — and who would bet against Johnson?
IT MEANS A LITTLE MORE
Four-star safety Jaiden Woodbey became the latest Ohio State commit to receive his honorary jersey for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl during a ceremony at his high school on Tuesday afternoon.
Ohio State Commit & 4 Jaiden Woodbey welcome to the 2018 #ArmyBowl #GoBucks #OneStrong pic.twitter.com/hXiWPwX0NI
— #ArmyBowl (@ArmyAllAmerican) November 28, 2017
“It means a lot to me and my dad,” Woodbey told USA TODAY Sports. “We grew up watching this game. We watched Reggie Bush play in this game. When my Dad figured out he was going to USC, he wanted me to play in this game like he did.”
The 6-foot-2, 204-pound Woodbey didn't discuss his recruitment on Tuesday afternoon, but as I mentioned in last night's edition of The Hurry Up, sources close to him have told Eleven Warriors he's eyeing trips to Oklahoma and USC in the coming weeks to “make sure Ohio State is still the right fit.” He’s grown particularly close with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, and the speculation surrounding his coaching future has Woodbey once again considering the Sooners and Trojans.
Woodbey has long planned to sign with the Buckeyes during the Early Signing Period in late December, but these potential visits could throw a wrench in that. He hasn’t been on campus since his official visit early September, either, so the staff is undoubtedly pushing for an unofficial next month to seal the deal for good.
I anticipate Meyer and Schiano will travel to California for an in-home visit following the season, as well.
A DREAM COME TRUE
Ohio State has received significant contributions from former walk-on players this season, seemingly led by now-scholarship linebacker Zach Turnure. The Buckeyes continue to search for underrated local prospect who could make the same kind of impact at the next level and recently extended a preferred walk-on offer to Olentangy Orange two-way lineman Jake Zinn.
Excited to receive a preferred walk-on offer from THE Ohio State University! pic.twitter.com/hMJfl5g3it
— Jake Zinn (@Amazinn33) November 24, 2017
“It means a great deal,” Zinn told Eleven Warriors. “I'm a local kid, and I've grown up dreaming about wearing the Scarlet and Gray. I'm very excited that I have the opportunity to possibly do that next year.”
The 6-foot-3, 279-pound Zinn helped lead the Pioneers to a 9-2 season and an appearance in the state playoffs this season, after which he was named an honorable mention all-district player. Assistant director player development Eron Hodges was impressed with his efforts this season, and was the one who extended the opportunity.
“Coach Hodges told me that I was a great student and through my film, he could see that I had a toughness about me that he liked,” Zinn said.
Zinn currently holds scholarship offers from Denison, Morehead State and Wheeling Jesuit, but will strongly consider the offer from the Buckeyes.
“I'm strongly considering this opportunity,” Zinn said. “I believe the whole program is run the right way, and I look forward to the opportunity of helping to strengthen this elite program in any way I can.”
Zinn hopes to make a final decision in early January, but admits it would be difficult to pass up playing at Ohio State.
“I want to make sure I know my options fully, but I'm very excited for this opportunity,” he said.
