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 A STEP BACK
For the second time in less than a week, one of Ohio State’s top targets has opted to delay his college decision amid the university’s investigation into head coach Urban Meyer regarding his knowledge and handling of domestic violence allegations against former wide receivers coach Zach Smith in 2015.
St. Louis four-star wide receiver Marcus Washington was set to decide on Aug. 7, but announced on Thursday he was pushing his decision back and reopening his recruitment to include every school that has offered him a scholarship. Odessa, Texas, Permian four-star athlete Peyton Powell, with his Aug. 13 announcement looming, then followed suit on Saturday afternoon.
Odessa, Tx > ? pic.twitter.com/tYT4u01GA1
— [P] (@PPowell_) August 4, 2018
The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Powell is considered the 29th-best athlete and No. 348 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, but the staff has earmarked him for cornerback at the next level. He took an official visit to Columbus in late June and the Buckeyes instantly became the favorite in his recruitment.
The situation with Meyer, as well as a recent offer from Oklahoma, has made things quite interesting, though. Powell is the cousin of New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who played for the Sooners from 2012-15.
Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson have been in contact with Powell regarding Meyer’s situation, and have expressed confidence that it will be resolved sooner rather than later. Ohio State should still be viewed as the favorite in his recruitment, but the result of the university's investigation will have a significant impact on his eventual decision.
Surely Powell — who does not have a new timetable and will instead focus on his senior season for the time being — will look to take an official visit to Oklahoma this season. And if that happens, with his only opportunity to return to Columbus in an unofficial capacity, things may start trending in another direction.
BATTLE BREWING
With Meyer’s future in question, it would be understandable for the current crop of commitments to consider other options.
Ohio State’s next two recruiting classes have stayed intact despite the uncertainty, however, with four-star cornerback pledge Jordan Battle the latest to reaffirm his commitment — though he admitted he’ll be keeping an eye on how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
“I still feel strong about [my commitment],” Battle told the South Florida Sun Sentinel during the Miami Dolphins High School Football Media on Saturday. “I’m going to see how things play out right now, but right now, I’m still a future Buckeye.”
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Battle — who is actually listed as the 12th-best safety and No. 162 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — committed to Ohio State in late June, less than a week after his long-anticipated official visit. His relationship with Meyer and the aforementioned Johnson played a key role in his decision to pick the Buckeyes over more than two dozen other offers.
That said, Battle acknowledged he’ll entertain offers from other schools if Meyer is not retained, including Alabama, Florida, Miami and Oklahoma. He’s in the process of planning official visits with the Gators and Sooners this fall, as well, so — for Ohio State’s sake — it would be better if the situation is resolved in the next few weeks.
A MATTER OF TIME
Lawrence, Kansas, Free State four-star offensive tackle Turner Corcoran included Ohio State in his Top 7 on Friday evening alongside Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Next Step... pic.twitter.com/FUZPJlHCu5
— Turner Corcoran (@turnercorcoran) August 3, 2018
“When I visited back in June, I got a great feel for the university and the coaching staff,” Corcoran told Eleven Warriors. “It had a ‘home away from home’ feeling. Also, the Real Life Wednesday programs are a great way for players to get introduced to the real world.”
The Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Corcoran during the Spring Evaluation Period back in April and he, as mentioned, made his first and only trip to campus with his mother in early June. They spent the entire afternoon with Meyer, acting head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa.
“I really like [Meyer],” Corcoran said. “He’ll care about you as a player and as a person. He helps a lot of his players get to the next level and get a job with the Real Life Wednesdays program. [Day] had good things to say, as well. He talked to me about the offense and how they run things, too.”
Corcoran has also built a strong relationship with a number of Ohio State commits, including 2019 Georgia five-star center Harry Miller and 2020 Cincinnati St. Xavier five-star offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
“They’ve all been great to talk to,” Corcoran said. “Just having me pick at their brains is the best part and just to see what their opinion was on everything, so it’s been great talking to them, too.”
Corcoran is in no hurry to make a decision on his future, but noted on could come after his junior season.
“It’s really just a comfortable feel-type situation and kind of a gut feeling that I’m going to go with,” Corcoran said, noting he plans to return to campus for the regular season finale against Michigan — which he already refers to as ‘The Team Up North’ — though the Firebirds would play in the state championship that day if they make it that far.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Ohio State welcomed Denver J.K. Mullen four-star defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina to campus for the first time last Tuesday. It was his last stop on his nationwide tour that included trips to BYU, Colorado, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon and Wisconsin.
Fantastic unofficial visit to the Ohio State University! Brotherhood throughout here! Thank you coaches #2020 #GoBucks @OSUCoachMeyer @R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachTonyAlford @Mullen_Strength @MullenMustang @SixZeroStrength @adamgorney @247recruiting @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/KFXJJBdTVB
— Aidan Ikaika Keanaaina (@AidanAkfootball) July 31, 2018
“My visit was fantastic,” Keanaaina — pronounced key-ah-nah-ah-ee-nah — told Eleven Warriors. “I really enjoyed it and it truly impressed me. Many things did, but a big one was the competition — not just on the field, but everywhere. You are always competing in the class room, weight room and film room, and the coaches are constantly grading you.”
The 6-foot-3, 292-pound Keanaaina, who is considered the 25th-best defensive tackle and No. 306 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, was actually born in Northwest Ohio. His mother is a doctor and was doing he residency in Oregon, but they moved when he was 18 months old because she was offered a job in Colorado.
Back in the Buckeye State for the first time since, Keanaaina and his mother spent time with Meyer, defensive line coach Larry Johnson and running backs coach/area recruiter Tony Alford, who extended a scholarship offer back in May. They also toured campus, Ohio Stadium and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
“We saw pretty much everything, he said. “I didn’t realize how big the campus was.”
Johnson, in particular, made quite the impression on Keanaaina, and it had very little to do with his ability to mold players into first-round draft picks.
“Honestly, he is different than other coaches,” Keanaaina said. “He is very calm and relaxed. He never curses and barely yells at all. It’s a new style, but I like it. He talked about things I did well on the field and thinks I could improve. Then would show drills to improve those things.”
Meyer also garnered rave reviews from Keanaaina, even with all of the turmoil and uncertainty surrounding his future at the helm of the program.
“He seems like a very passionate coach that truly cares for his players and the school,” he said. “He strives to be the best and that’s why I like him.”
In addition to the programs mentioned above, Keanaaina also holds offers from California, Colorado State, Kansas State, Penn State, Utah and Virginia. He has no timeline for a decision, but Ohio State finds itself in a great position early in the process.
“I don’t have a specific order, but Ohio State is high on my list,” Keanaaina said, noting he plans to get back to campus for a game this fall.
