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.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'?
Clovis, California, Buchanan five-star running back Kendall Milton included Ohio State in his Top 10 earlier this month alongside Alabama, Florida State, Fresno State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas and USC.
TOP 10 pic.twitter.com/xAhBVT19IX
— Kendall Milton (@therealkmilt) July 9, 2018
“I just love the energy I get from the coaching staff, from coach Mark Pantoni to coach Tony Alford to coach Urban Meyer,” Milton told Eleven Warriors. “They let me know that I am their No. 1 back for my class, and that caught my attention.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Milton — who is considered the second-best running back and No. 10 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 1,514 all-purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns for the Bears last season — has never been to campus in a recruiting capacity, just for a wrestling tournament when he was in middle school. But even so, he’s grown exceptionally close to Alford, who stopped by his high school during the Spring Evaluation Period.
“[We have a] great relationship,” Milton said, noting he talks with the coaching staff at least once each week — and the conversation rarely, if ever, revolves around football. “We talk more about life and how everything is going. Stuff like that.”
Given the distance from home and the likelihood that his team goes far into the postseason, Milton isn’t sure if he’ll make it to Columbus for a game this fall. He anticipates he’ll visit whenever his season is over, however.
“I’m just [looking forward to] meeting the whole staff and seeing the city of Columbus,” Milton said.
BOOGIE ON DOWN
Ohio State welcomed Columbia, South Carolina, Hammond School four-star defensive tackle Alex “Boogie” Huntley to campus for a one-day camp in mid-June.
Ohio State State Saturday
— Alex Huntley (@alexhuntley_) June 14, 2018
It marked the second visit this spring for the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Huntley, who is considered the 12th-best defensive tackle and No. 144 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he also took an unofficial visit for a spring practice back in April.
“It was great,” Huntley told Eleven Warriors. “Being able to spend time working with coach [Larry] Johnson was great. He knows what it takes to get to that next level, so I was really trying to listen to everything he was telling me to do. We spent time working on and fine-tuning my technique. I just wanted to absorb everything he was telling me. I have a lot of respect for him.”
During his previous visit, Huntley checked out Ohio Stadium, the dorm rooms and academic side of the university. This trip to campus was about working hard and proving he was worthy of landing an offer from Buckeyes.
An offer was not presented, but Huntley anxiously awaits word from Johnson.
“He told me we’re gonna stay in touch,” he said. “I’ve just been focusing on my game, hitting the weight room and getting ready for my junior year.”
Huntley holds early offers from Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia State, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee, but Ohio State would certainly shoot to the top of that list with an offer.
“It would mean a lot to me,” he said. “They have an excellent program, team and coaches — and the 2020 class is going to be special.”
Huntley plans to return for a game this fall.
VIVIR MI VIDA
Though Ohio State extended an official offer earlier this month to Wellington, Florida, four-star athlete Mark-Antony Richards, he left the Buckeyes out of his Top 5 on Sunday afternoon. Auburn, Florida, Miami, Penn State and Tennessee made the cut instead.
I want to thank all the schools whove given me the opportunity to chase my dreams at their schools and I cant thank you all enough. With that being said, these are my final 5 schools in random order.
— XXI (@Mark21Richards) August 12, 2018
May God Show Me The Way pic.twitter.com/FZ2BRmk7vT
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Richards — who is considered the fourth-best athlete and No. 77 prospect overall in the Class of 2020 — was being recruited by Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Alex Grinch. The Buckeyes were looking to use him as a cornerback at the next level, but believed he could contribute on the other side of the ball, as well.
“They love my style of play and also the person I am,” Richards told Eleven Warriors. “They saw my film and practice and think I can be used in many ways. They see me in the wildcat and catching and running, so the whole package.”
That said, home-state Miami has long been perceived as the favorite in Richards’ recruitment, since his brother, Ahmmon, is penciled in to be one of the Hurricanes’ starting receivers this fall. The two visited campus numerous times together when he was being recruited two years ago.
