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.
I'M COMING HOME AGAIN
Ohio State hosted Austin, Texas, Lake Travis four-star wide receiver Garrett Wilson for an unofficial visit on Friday, which marked the Dublin native’s first time on campus in nearly six years.
Columbus, Ohio... #Zone6 pic.twitter.com/02mDeQuOci
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) March 24, 2018
“It was great,” Wilson told Eleven Warriors. “[I went to] meetings, watched practice, visited the communication center, [spent time] with the players, facility tours, all that stuff.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Wilson is considered the sixth-best wide receiver and No. 46 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he hauled in 98 passes for 1,774 yards and 26 touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to a berth in the state championship game last fall. He recently listed the Buckeyes in his Top 8 alongside Arkansas, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and TCU, but there’s no doubt they’re neck-and-neck with the Longhorns in the race to land his pledge.
“It’s still a top program like it was when I was coming up, and every year they are a legit contender,” Wilson said. “They’ve got it all figured out.”
Wilson arrived in Columbus on Thursday and was able to spend time with some family and friends who remained in the area after he moved to the Lone Star State in sixth grade. He then ventured to campus, where head coach Urban Meyer; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day; and wide receivers coach Zach Smith made their pitch.
“[They said] that this is a place that’s gonna set me up to be able to get drafted,” Wilson said. “But then if it doesn’t go like that — which it mostly doesn’t — they can set me up with jobs and have connections for me to be successful after football.”
Wilson — a former teammate of Ohio State freshman quarterback Matthew Baldwin — plans to return for his official visit during the Spring Game in April. He hopes to make a decision in the months following, and I have long expected that to be in the Buckeyes’ favor.
THE SAME PATH?
As a way to celebrate his late father’s birthday, Norfolk, Virginia, Maury four-star cornerback Sheridan Jones included Ohio State in his Top 7 on Saturday afternoon alongside Alabama, Clemson, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Blessed ... pic.twitter.com/RoNK8ugB0p
— SHERIDAN JONES (@SJones3_) March 24, 2018
“Coach Meyer is consistent with recruiting me and also because of the way they breed defensive backs,” Jones told Eleven Warriors when asked why the Buckeyes made the cut. “I’m also gaining a relationship with the new cornerbacks coach [Taver Johnson].”
The 6-foot, 170-pound Jones is considered the 17th-best cornerback and No. 139 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 26 tackles, 10 pass break ups, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season Virginia Beach Bishop Sullivan — where he teamed up with Ohio State four-star linebacker signee Teradja Mitchell.
The Buckeyes offered Jones last August, and he’ll finally make his first trip to Columbus March 29-30.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
On a similar note, Katy, Texas, four-star wide receiver Jacobi Bellazin also included Ohio State in his Top 11 on Friday evening alongside Arkansas, Arizona State, Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Louisiana Tech, Miami, TCU, UCLA and USC.
2 Corinthians 5:7
— Jacobi Bellazin 6 (@c1_era) March 23, 2018
Thank You, Top 11... #thankgod pic.twitter.com/FMUUX2Hpzk
The 5-foot-8, 181-pound Bellazin is considered the 44th-best wide receiver and No. 198 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, though he did not play as last season after transferring from Livonia, Louisiana. As a freshman he recorded more than 1,400 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns for the Wildcats.
The Buckeyes offered Bellazin — a one-time Horned Frogs pledge — last May. He’s never been to campus, but there’s certainly plenty of time for that to happen before he makes a decision once again. That said, it's hard to bet against the home-state Tigers if
A SMALL DELAY
In Friday’s edition of The Hurry Up, we mentioned a change of plans for Chicago Phillips Academy four-star tight end Jahleel Billingsley. He was set to visit Ohio State for the first time this weekend, but had to reschedule for a later date.
“We will be there for the Spring Game and also in May,” Billingsley’s father, Charles, told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Billingsley is considered the ninth-best tight end and No. 264 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he hauled in 14 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns to help the Wildcats to the state title last season. He recently included the Buckeyes in his Top 7 alongside Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State and TCU.
“He’s got high interest in Ohio State, as does any kid,” the elder Billingsley said. “They’re a winning school, [and] the diversity and the relationships you’re going to have after [you’re done] playing football, all of that matters.”
That said, Billingsley is arguably the staff’s top target at the tight end position — and I recently placed my 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction in favor of the Buckeyes as a result. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pledge his services that weekend either.
SPENDING HIS SPRING BREAK IN THE MIDWEST
Charlotte Providence Day School four-star defensive end Jacolbe Cowan told Eleven Warriors last week he would visit Ohio State during his spring break, but didn’t have a date set in stone just yet.
On Friday, however, he announced he’ll make his first trip to Columbus on Tuesday as part of a five-day tour that includes stops in Ann Arbor, Knoxville, South Bend and State College.
Spring Break Visit Schedule pic.twitter.com/8mPRkTDQ35
— J C 12 (@JacolbeCowan12) March 23, 2018
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Cowan is considered the third-best strong-side defensive end and No. 37 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 87 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, three takeaways and two forced fumbles for the Chargers last season. He holds more than two dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Meyer actually offered Cowan and his teammates, four-star linebacker Osita Ekwonu and four-star wide receiver Porter Rooks, back in early February.
“I think my size, quickness off the ball and physical style of play stood out [to him] the most,” Cowan said
