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.
LIST SZN
With a glaring need at the position, Ohio State will look to sign as many as six players along the offensive line this recruiting cycle.
The staff already holds a commitment from West Virginia four-star Doug Nester, and took a step toward securing the pledge of another highly sought-after prospect when Buford, Georgia, four-star offensive tackle Harry Miller listed the Buckeyes in his Top 5 on Monday night alongside Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and Stanford.
Current Top 5 pic.twitter.com/iYL8MSMell
— Harry Miller (@harrymiller76) February 19, 2018
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Miller is considered the 11th-best offensive tackle and No. 64 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he was named first-team all-state after leading the Wolves to the state semifinals last season. He's been to campus twice before, including his most recent trip to Columbus the weekend of Jan. 13.
Miller plans to return to campus for the Spring Game in mid-April, and trips to Palo Alto and South Bend in the weeks leading up to that would suggest he's eyeing a decision shortly thereafter.
Miller has forged a strong relationship with head coach Urban Meyer, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and offensive coordinator and area recruier Ryan Day, so its no surprise Ohio State made the cut. But for someone who does a lot of mission work, the Buckeyes' Athletes in Action program is a big reason why they're considered the favorite to land his pledge at this point in time.
LONE STAR STATE OF MIND
Though Ohio State — just one year removed from signing three of Texas' top six recruits — was unable to make another big splash in the Lone Star State last recruiting cycle, the Buckeyes haven't given up on recruiting the state's top prospects just because of the re-emergence of the Longhorns under head coach Tom Herman.
As a matter of fact, the two programs will continue to go head-to-head for players like Richmond Fort Bend Bush four-star cornerback Erick Young, who included Ohio State and Texas in his Top 10 on Tuesday afternoon alongside Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M and USC.
Sorry for the wait....... pic.twitter.com/5niddGkmKB
— Erick Young (@Fvmous_ey) February 20, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Young is considered the 13th-best cornerback and No. 154 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he was named first-team all-district after he recorded 10 tackles and one interception for the Broncos last season — better put, teams simply avoided his side of the field. He has not been to campus since the Buckeyes offered last August.
IN THE HUNT
Along those same lines, Ohio State recently extended a dream offer to Houston St. Pius X four-star wide receiver Jalen “Boobie” Curry and should remain a significant player in his recruitment moving forward.
WOW Im Extremely Blessed and Excited to receive my child hood DREAM offer from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!! #GoBucks #Zone6 pic.twitter.com/4yzbCOfbNN
— B C (@jc5_4lyfee) February 7, 2018
“I'm building a good relationship with Urban Meyer and also coach [Zach] Smith,” Curry told Eleven Warriors. “They both just can't wait til I come up to Columbus and see the Buckeye lifestyle.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Curry is considered the 17th-best wide receiver and No. 87 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he hauled in 121 receptions for 1,570 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead the Panthers to the state championship game last season. He was once committed to Florida State, but backed off that pledge after former head coach Jimbo Fisher took the same position at Texas A&M in December, and holds nearly three dozen other offers from programs such as Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, A&M, TCU and UCLA.
Curry has never been to Columbus, but plans to make his first trip to campus next month with four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell and and return for an official visit later this spring.
“When I get up there, I'm looking toreally enjoy myself and have a great time,” Curry said.
All that said, I asked how a kid who grew up in Texas call Ohio State his dream school? Well, his favorite player growing up was former quarterback Braxton Miller.
“The tradition and the production of the program [stand out, too],” Curry said. “It's consistently a top program in college football every year and also produces some of the best players to the NFL constantly.”
Curry will announce a list of top schools in the next few weeks and then make his college decision during the Early Signing Period in December.
FAMILY CONNECTION
Ohio State welcomed Savannah, Georgia, Islands three-star linebacker Kalen Deloach to campus over the weekend thanks to some pretty special circumstances. His older sister, Taylor, is a sophomore sprinter on the track team, and the program was hosting their final indoor tune up before the outdoor season began.
What yall think? Not my top 2 pic.twitter.com/w9Q0bjhVwX
— Kalen Deloach (@KalenDeloach) February 19, 2018
“It went well,” Deloach told Eleven Warriors. “I got to see things I haven't seen before and got to spend time with the coaches.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Deloach is considered the 24th-best outside linebacker and No. 367 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 168 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, nine forced fumbles and two interceptions for the Sharks last season. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
Surprisingly, Deloach had never been to campus before this weekend nor does he talk much with his sister about the university. But he did spend a considerable amount of time with linebackers coach Bill Davis and defensive assistant Alex Grinch, and they filled him in on everything the program has to offer.
While on campus, Deloach toured the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and watched film with the staff.
“I like how it had all the championships and achievements they've done [in the lobby],” he said.
Deloach is in no hurry to make a decision on his future, especially with new schools offering every day. But one thing is for certain, he'll take an official visit to Columbus before he commits anywhere.
“I want to see what a game day atmosphere feels like and see if I can envision myself playing there,” Deloach said.
