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.
ZAK ATTACK
It's not everyday that you get the chance to talk to Ohio State offensive coordinator Ryan Day ... that is, unless you're North Andover, Massachusetts junior Zak Zinter (Buckingham Browne & Nichols). Then, you get the chance to talk with Day quite frequently.
Zinter, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle, received an offer from Day's Buckeyes Monday evening. He made the announcement via Twitter saying he was, "Excited, honored, and humbled." Zinter said he received a text from Day instructing him to give him a call.
He wasn't expecting what happened next.
"Coach Day texted me to call him last night. When I called, he and I talked and then he handed the phone to (Ohio State head) coach (Urban) Meyer," Zinter said. "Coach Meyer gave me the offer. I was completely caught off guard but was extremely excited and honored to be offered."
"I was completely caught off guard but was extremely excited and honored to be offered."– 2020 Massachusetts guard Zak Zinter
While the Buckeyes have certainly had their eye on Zinter for awhile, they started really hammering away at the recruit when the season started. Zinter said once September 1 hit, Day and Assistant Athletic Director Mark Pantoni started communicating with him frequently.
Zinter recently received a composite three-star ranking. He's managed to pick up offers from fellow Big Ten schools Purdue and Penn State. As he continues to develop, the Buckeyes have taken an early interest in Zinter.
"They have been watching my film over the last few games I’ve had," Zinter said. "(We've had) good conversations about my film and my interest."
While his recruiting process is just starting to take an upward trend, Zinter has an idea of what he wants to see in a potential college choice. And if a football tradition like Ohio State's is in the mix ... well, that can only be a good thing.
"I am looking for a very high academic college with big-time football to continue my future. A college with high expectations, high morals and great dedication to each other," he said. "Football is in my blood. I've loved it since I can remember. I'm not sure there is anything I don’t love about it."
The Buckeyes have a pair of 2020 tackles in the fold, but it would hardly be a surprise if they end up adding a third.
DUCKING OREGON
One of Ohio State's top receiving targets may be a bit closer to reaching a college decision.
2019 four-star wideout Jameson Williams cancelled a scheduled official visit to Oregon this Saturday, making the announcement on Twitter.
I wont be taking my Oregon official this weekend anymore..
— juiceman (@juicedupjameson) September 18, 2018
At 6-foot-2, 169 pounds, the Cardinal Ritter College Prep (Mo.) has received offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and UCLA among others. As a junior, Williams caught 36 passes for 1,062 yards – an average of 29.5 yards per catch – alongside 19 touchdowns.
This fall, he's led his team to a 5-0 start on an offense that's averaging 39 points per game. Two of those wins have come by 82-0 and 61-35 scores.
Williams' cancellation of his Oregon visit comes before scheduled visits to Nebraska on Sept. 29 and Alabama on Oct. 13. Still, crystal ball predictions sway in the Buckeyes' favor, showing a 94 percent lean towards Ohio State. The trip to Tuscaloosa remains one to keep a very close eye on, however.
GOING NORTH
Michigan locked up its highest-touted recruit in quite some time Tuesday evening, receiving a commitment from Booker T. Washington (Ok.) safety Daxton Hill. He could quite possibly be the Wolverines' best commit since defensive tackle Rashan Gary pledged in 2016.
Committed #918 pic.twitter.com/Td4PyyKSED
— Dirty30 (@daxhill5) September 18, 2018
According to 247Sports.com, Hill is the nation's No. 12 ranked recruit at any position and the nation's top-ranked safety. The five-star safety's commitment to Michigan came as a bit of a surprise to some as many believed he'd head south to Alabama.
Ohio State's Greg Schiano recruited Hill last year before the Buckeyes made him an offer on May 24, 2017. Ohio State, however, still sits pretty in terms of 2019 safety commits. Four-star safeties Jordan Battle (Fort Lauderdale, Fl.) and Ronnie Hickman (Wayne, N.J.), as well as three-star safety Bryson Shaw (Potomac, Md.) are all in line to end up in Columbus.
