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.
CROSSTOWN RIVALS
Despite his status as a five-star prospect and nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle, Darnell Wright likes to fly under the radar. So much so that nobody outside of the Ohio State football program was aware of his unofficial visit last weekend until he posted a photo to the social media app SnapChat that afternoon.
The visit marked the fourth trip to campus — at least — for the Huntington, West Virginia, native. It gave him a chance to get more familiar with head coach Urban Meyer and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, as well as see more of what the Buckeyes have to offer on and off the field.
“[I’m] just building relationships because I only get to see the coaches and the players a couple times,” Wright told Eleven Warriors during The Opening Finals on Monday afternoon. “I gotta get a feel for everybody. Just try to get down there and see what kind of people they are. Coach Stud is a really cool coach. He’s got a lot of energy all the time, but Real Life Wednesdays is really the thing that stands out.”
Ohio State was once considered the overwhelming favorite to land Wright’s pledge, but things changed considerably last fall. The reason? The Buckeyes landed a commitment from Huntington Spring Valley four-star offensive tackle Doug Nester.
“I didn’t want to go there because he was there. He was already committed, I didn’t want it to be [perceived] like I just followed him or something. Just stupid little thoughts,” Wright said. “It’s a good rivalry and we had a couple words [in the past], but I think I’ve matured enough to where I don’t think I need to not go somewhere because he’s there. It doesn’t really matter to me anymore.”
Alabama and Tennessee are now considered the biggest threats to Ohio State’s chances, but Wright admits he’s not particularly close to making a decision on his future. He wants to visit several other schools — included Florida State, Miami, Oregon and USC — and make a decision on National Signing Day in February.
Wright is unlikely to take an official visit to Columbus this fall, since he can make the two-hour trip with ease. He’d rather burn those on far-away destinations.
“I’m looking for somewhere that I can get in and player early and somewhere I can get developed,” Wright said.
TAKING IT ALL IN
Nester, meanwhile, is just one of four Ohio State commits participating in The Opening Finals, joining five-star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, four-star center Harry Miller and four-star cornerback Jordan Battle.
“This is amazing, going against the greatest competition you can,” Nester told Eleven Warriors. “The atmosphere here is insane. Great coaching. You’re getting the best of the best.”
Nester has had an up-and-down week as he split his time during the event at offensive guard and tackle. He’s excelled against big-bodied defensive tackles on the interior, but struggled when matched up with faster defensive ends.
“I think I’m doing decent,” Nester said, noting has room to improve in pass protection as a tackle because the Timberwolves feature a run-heavy offense. “I like inside more.”
Nester roomed with Miller this week and actually spent time with Wright throughout the week. He also admitted there was some animosity between the two previously, but it’s no longer a concern.
“Our teams are really big rivals and we’re the two biggest recruits in West Virginia,” Wright said, explaining how they spoke for the first time at this week’s festivities. “I think that’s where it came from. I’m not worried about it.”
SET THE BAR HIGH
St. Louis Cardinal Ritter Prep four-star wide receiver Jameson Williams was among the seven official visitors at Ohio State last weekend, which only solidified the Buckeyes’ standing at the top of his list.
“I loved it,” Williams told Eleven Warriors after his 7-on-7 team was eliminated from The Opening Finals. “I had some great moments with the team and staff.”
The 6-foot-2, 162-pound Williams has built a strong relationship with Meyer, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Zach Smith over the last year. During his visit, he went bowling with some of the current players and attended a pool party at Meyer’s house, which featured animals from the Columbus Zoo like baby cheetahs and penguins
“They treat me like the best thing,” Williams said. “If I choose Ohio State, I feel like those coaches would be father figures to me and help me to try to get to where I want to go.”
That said, Williams doesn’t feel like he’s particularly close to a decision. He’s also considering Alabama, Nebraska, Oregon and UCLA, and will simply set an announcement date whenever the time feels right — with a commitment video to soon follow.
“I’m looking for a great environment outside of football,” Williams said. “Ohio State is the team to beat, though. I’ve been there five times and the visits have just gotten better each time.”
The Buckeyes also have made Williams’ parents a priority, and the two sides talk regularly about life on and off the field in Columbus.
“Their connections with the staff are just as important as mine,” Williams said.
Williams and fellow St. Louis four-star wide receiver Marcus Washington, who is also on of Ohio State’s top targets at the position, hung out with five-star pledge Garrett Wilson during this week’s festivities. He was recruiting them both pretty heavily this week.
“He wants me to come to Ohio State bad,” Williams said. “He’s just telling me that’s where I need to be, with him. He said he’s selfish and wants the ball, but he also wants the best players to be with him so we can all be dawgs together. Go win a natty [national title].”
