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.
TAKING IT SLOW
On Thursday evening — just about a month after his first and only trip to Columbus — Apopka, Florida, Wekiva four-star linebacker Rian Davis included Ohio State in his Top 12 alongside Alabama, Arizona State, Clemson, Georgia, Houston, Indiana, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina State, Oregon and Texas.
— Rian "Trouble" Davis (@Trouble_R4) May 3, 2018
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Davis is considered the 11th-best outside linebacker and No. 168 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 93 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, six pass break ups, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season at Houston Clear Lake — where he spent two years before transferring back to Wekiva this offseason.
Running backs coach Tony Alford extended an offer to Davis back in March and, as mentioned, he attended a spring practice in early April.
“It was great,” Rian Davis told Eleven Warriors. “I enjoyed myself up there.”
While on campus, Davis and his teammate — four-star defensive tackle Tyler Davis (no relation) — watched practice, toured campus and spent time with head coach Urban Meyer, linebackers coach Bill Davis and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
“[They told me] that they like me a lot and are going to recruit me hard,” Davis said. “What stood out most about them was the fact that they get their players jobs, even if football doesn’t work out.”
Davis does not have a timetable for a decision, but plans to return for an official visit this fall.
KEEPING UP WITH THE COACHES
Since he's restricted from going on the road to recruit, Meyer has dispatched his assistants to seemingly every corner of the country during the Spring Evaluation Period.
Earlier this week, Johnson and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano stopped by IMG Academy to see Georgia five-star defensive end commit Nolan Smith II and four-star safety Lejond Cavazos.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s mailbag, the Buckeyes have remained strong in their pursuit of Smith, who has been committed to the Bulldogs for nearly a year and a half. He doesn’t appear to wavering in his pledge, but has discussed taking an official visit to Columbus this fall.
There’s no doubt Ohio State is the front-runner for Cavazos, meanwhile. He’s been very transparent when it comes to his recruitment, and the Buckeyes only solidified their standing following his visit for the Spring Game last month.
Of course, NCAA rules prevent Schiano and Johnson from having contact beyond the exchange of a brief greeting. But they watched the entire practice and spent time with the Ascenders’ staff.
“He watched everything I did,” Cavazos told Eleven Warriors, noting his coach relayed Schiano’s praises afterward.
Cavazos plans to return to campus for Friday Night Lights in late July.
Wide receivers coach Zach Smith was also in Florida on Wednesday, at which time he dropped by Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas to check on four-star safety Jordan Battle.
Many have wondered what impact recent commitments from New Jersey four-star “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman and Maryland three-star Bryson Shaw would have on Ohio State’s pursuit of Battle — or Maryland four-star Nick Cross, for that matter. But the answer is simple, though: It doesn’t.
Ohio State could very well take all four, with Battle and Shaw both athletic and fast enough to play cornerback at the next level.
Smith also dropped by Cardinal Gibbons to visit four-star defensive end Khris Bogle — who included the Buckeyes in his Top 14 last month — and safety Majon Wright, the younger brother of former Florida star Major. He previously told Eleven Warriors that Ohio State is his dream school, though he’s still awaiting an offer.
As we mentioned in yesterday’s edition of The Hurry Up, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Kevin Wilson was in the Dayton area on Thursday. He offered a scholarship to Dunbar three-star offensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and also dropped by Trotwood-Madison to see three-star tight end Justin Stephens.
Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Alex Grinch, last but not least, was in Georgia on Thursday to watch Carollton linebackers Kevin Swint and Chaz Chambliss. Both are expected to make their first trip to Columbus for a one-day camp next month.
TENNESSEE'S FINEST
Alford, meanwhile, may be the most active assistant on the recruiting trail this spring. He’s handed out several offers in the state of Tennessee over the last two weeks, and that includes Nashville Ensworth four-star defensive end Tyler Baron, who announced his offer on Thursday evening.
EXTREMELY Blessed and honored to have received an offer from THE Ohio State University #gobucks pic.twitter.com/Cqs0Us8Jpo
— Tyler Baron (@Tylerbaron23) May 3, 2018
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Baron is considered the 13th-best weak-side defensive end and No. 249 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 51 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, three sacks and one forced fumble to lead the Tigers to the state playoffs last fall. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Florida, Florida State, LSU, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
TACKLING MACHINE
Earlier this week, Ohio State offered a scholarship to Orlando Dr. Phillips running back Brandon Fields. And on Friday morning, his teammate — three-star linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. — announced he, too, had landed an offer from the Buckeyes.
Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University
— Stephen Dix Jr. (@D1SDJ) May 4, 2018
@Andrew_Ivins @247Sports @dphsfootball pic.twitter.com/Ulk1qARI7A
The 6-foot, 205-pound Dix is considered the 22nd-best outside linebacker and No. 295 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, though he’s certain to see his stock rise after he recorded 130 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries for the state champion Panthers last season.
As I also mentioned with Fields, Dix is the former teammate of three-star linebacker target Marcus Tillman Jr. He transferred to Orlando Jones prior to last season, where he played alongside Ohio State freshman cornerback Sevyn Banks.
