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.
OLD HEAD
Late Monday night — a bit after my bed time — Cincinnati Walnuts Hills four-star defensive tackle Jowon Briggs included Ohio State in his Top 10 alongside Alabama, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Tennessee and Virginia. The most interesting part, though, is that Notre Dame didn’t make the cut.
Heres my top ten as of now
— Jowon M. Briggs (@briggsjowon0) June 19, 2018
(alphabetically organized)
Alabama
Kentucky
Miami (OH)
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
Tennessee
Virginia
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Briggs is considered the fifth-best defensive tackle and No. 59 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 45 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles for the Eagles last season. He’s also an extremely introverted and level-headed kid who wants to major in computer science or programming in college rather than someone who is going to be swept up by the recruiting process or constant contact from coaches.
In fact, Briggs hasn’t been to Ohio State since late January — or any college, for that matter, since March. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a strong bond with Buckeyes’ defensive line coach Larry Johnson, since the two chat occasionally, but it’s long been clear the typical recruiting pitch isn’t going to work.
Because of their academic standards, the Fighting Irish were believed to be the overwhelming favorite in Briggs’ recruitment — which somewhat mirrors that of Cincinnati Anderson four-star offensive guard Zeke Correll’s. But where he ends up now is anyone’s guess.
Just don’t expect it to be Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are only looking to take one defensive tackle this cycle, with Hawaii five-star Faatui Tuitele and Florida four-star Tyler Davis seemingly ahead of Briggs on the priority chart — and I don’t anticipate they’ll miss out on the latter.
THA CARTER V
Though he’s never been to campus, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas four-star running back Daniel Carter listed Ohio State in his Top 10 on Tuesday night alongside Georgia, Illinois, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas and Utah.
Top 10 (No interviews) anyteam can get added or replaced pic.twitter.com/SpzJLM5Y45
— Daniel Carter (@KING__CARTER5) June 20, 2018
The 5-foot-10 , 204-pound Carter is considered the 19th-best running back and No. 356 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he led the Raiders with 954 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season. The Buckeyes offered Carter a scholarship way, way back in December 2015, and he hopes to take an official visit this fall.
That said, Ohio State already holds commitments from a pair of running backs in Georgia four-star Steele Chambers and Indiana four-star Sampson James. But if the former ultimately ends up playing linebacker at the next level, it would leave room for Carter to sneak into the class.
He’s not the only running back who could fill that slot, though, as Florida four-stars Noah Cain and Kenny McIntosh and Georgia four-star Derrian Brown all remain high on the Buckeyes.
NEXT IN LINE?
Bay City, Michigan, Central three-star wide receiver Devell Washington told Eleven Warriors he’ll attend Ohio State’s annual Friday Night Lights recruiting extravaganza this weekend. It’ll be his first time on campus.
“I’m excited to see the campus, football facilities and speak with the coaches,” Washington said.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Washington is considered the 76th-best wide receiver and No. 386 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he hauled in 28 passes for 541 yards and seven touchdowns for the Wolves last season. He holds offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Michigan and Toledo, but caught the staff’s attention during the Best of the Midwest camp at Grand Valley State earlier this month.
There, Washington spoke with head coach Urban Meyer and director of player personnel Mark Pantoni that afternoon and they invited him to attend this weekend’s event. He’s looking forward to meeting cornerbacks coach/area recruiter Taver Johnson and working out for wide receivers coach Zach Smith, and hopes another strong performance nets him an offer from the Buckeyes.
“It would mean the world to me,” Washington said. “It’s still close to home and I would get a chance to be at one of the best universities. Coach Meyer is amazing. I really like the tradition and how great Ohio State is. They have so many great players that played there.”
