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.
NEVER A DOUBT
As Ohio State learned firsthand when Georgia five-star defensive end Brenton Cox reopened his recruitment last night, holding onto a pledge from an out-of-state prospect is not an easy task.
That was never a concern when it came to IMG Academy five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent, however. The Baltimore native has a long-standing relationship with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and he completely shut down his recruitment once he pledged his services to the Buckeyes in early April.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Vincent helped the Ascenders to their third-straight undefeated season this fall, and recorded 53 tackles, 13 quarterback hurries and four sacks along the way. Now, he’ll look to cap his terrific career with a win in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl next month.
On Wednesday, Vincent and four of his teammates — Miami wide receiver commit Brian Hightower, Oklahoma running back pledge T.J. Pledger, uncommitted safety Brendan Radley-Hiles and Clemson defensive end commit Xavier Thomas —were honored during a ceremony at their high school, at which time they received their honorary jerseys.
IMG Academy quintet gets one last game together at U.S. Army All-American Bowl https://t.co/ySmTkSI7V2 pic.twitter.com/LkKxXqO1dA
— USA TODAY HSS (@usatodayhss) December 6, 2017
Vincent — who will sign with Ohio State during the Early Signing Period and enroll in classes in January — is one of (at least) eight future Buckeyes who will play in the Army Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 6, 2018, in San Antonio.
He'll be joined by five-star running back Jaelen Gill, five-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert, four-star defensive back Tyreke Johnson, four-star offensive guard Max Wray and four-star linebacker Dallas Gant on the East squad. Four-star safeties Josh Proctor and Jaiden Woodbey will represent the West.
I’ll be there, too, so I’m looking forward to bringing you all some great content that week!
TOUGH SLEDDING AHEAD
With Georgia reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time, there’s no doubt it’s going to be more difficult for Ohio State to recruit the state moving forward. That didn’t stop the Buckeyes from extending an offer on Tuesday to Buford four-star running back Derrian Brown, though.
Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State #GoBuckeyes @OhioStateFB @BufordProspects @Coach_Davis22 pic.twitter.com/IwICovBs5J
— Derrian Brown (@BrownDerrian) December 5, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 174-pound Brown is considered the 13th-best running back and No. 152 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he rushed for 799 yards and 11 touchdowns this season to lead the Wolves reach their 11th-consecutive state semifinals. He holds nearly two dozen offers from programs such as Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame, Oregon and Wisconsin.
Surely, the home-state Bulldogs and other southern powers will enter the race sooner rather than later, which will make it more difficult for the Buckeyes to land a prospect of his caliber. But, either way, it’s important for the Buckeyes to get their foot in the door now and increase their chances.
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
Ohio State also extended a scholarship offer on Wednesday night to Upland, California, four-star linebacker Justin Flowe Jr.
Honored to have received an offer from THEE Ohio State Buckeyes!! special thanks to @GregSchiano @ArmondSr @Therealsoopafly #GOBUCKEYES #TURNTUPLAND #GROUNDZERO #SLAUGHTER pic.twitter.com/IC6keRYubV
— Justin Flowe Jr. (@justin_flowe) December 7, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Flowe is considered the top-rated outside linebacker and No. 8 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 119 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception this season to help the Highlanders to the state semifinals. He holds nearly a dozen other offers from programs such as Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Utah, UCLA, USC and Washington State.
You may recall Flowe stared in a YouTube video titled “Babyman runs over Compton” when he was a 9-year-old playing running back for the Pomona Steelers of the Snoop [Dogg] Youth Football League. In the video, which has been viewed more than 13,000 times, he takes the handoff, reverses field and heads toward the end zone, stiff-arming three kids on his way to a 64-yard touchdown.
His speed and strength were apparent early, so it’s no surprise he’s already among the most coveted prospects in his class. That said, the Buckeyes will have to make a great first impression if they want to steal him away from the Trojans.
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER
Ohio State assistant director of player personnel Eron Hodges has been busy this fall analyzing tape of underrated prospects in hopes of finding the next Zach Turnure, a former walk-on-turned-scholarship linebacker who made a significant contribution to the team this season.
The Buckeyes have added three in-state walk-on linebackers this cycle as a result in Big Walnut’s Abe Myers, Piqua’s Ben Schmiesing and Dublin Jerome’s Cade Kacherski. But Scottsdale, Arizona, Desert Mountain two-star wide receiver/safety Luke Donovan became the first out-of-state prospect to land a preferred walk-on offer, which he promptly accepted on Tuesday.
COITTED Thanks to @EronHodges for the opportunity! pic.twitter.com/QvxxEcaetp
— Luke Donovan (@Lukedonovan1212) December 6, 2017
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Donovan recorded 79 tackles, six pass break ups, two interceptions and one forced fumble for the Wolves this fall.
