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.
NOTHING LIKE THE SHOE
It may be a bit before 2019 tight end Brenton Strange makes a decision on his future. But rest assured, not matter how long it takes, the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder hasn't lost any interest whatsoever in attending Ohio State.
Strange, a four-star talent out of Parkersburg (W. Va.), made a surprise visit to the Shoe this past weekend to watch the Buckeyes earn a 49-6 win over Tulane. It was his fourth time on campus but his first time seeing Ohio State play in a live game, a contest that just so happened to include head coach Urban Meyer's return from a three-game suspension.
Strange said Meyer's return was just one of the reasons he and his family decided to make the trip. This weekend, he'll see Ohio State again as he's scheduled a visit to Penn State.
"Me and my family had a great time at the game on Saturday. None of us had been to an OSU game before so it was pretty cool to see the Bucks live," he said. "Right now, I'm in the process I’m taking a couple more official visits before I make my decision. Just want to get out and experience the atmosphere of teams and see everything live."
Twitter/@BrentonStrange
Ohio State tight ends coach Kevin Wilson has been in frequent contact with Strange. Through that relationship and his own knowledge of the game, Strange knows what he has to do to develop into a next-level tight end.
"Coach Wilson talks to me almost everyday, we have a pretty good relationship. He’s always been straight up with me," Strange said. "My biggest thing I’m going to have to improve on is my weight. I weigh about 215 right now, and for me to play tight end at the next level, I’m going to have to put on some more weight."
Parkersburg is 2-3 this season but two of those losses came without Strange on the field — he was sidelined with a pulled hamstring. In the three games he's played, he's caught 20 passes for 354 yards and two scores.
"I’m still not completely 100 percent but I’m doing a lot better," Strange said. "I expect us to turn it around by the end of the year."
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
It's been awhile since Ohio State fans have enjoyed a #BOOM ... since July to be accurate. But according to 2019 receiver commit Garrett Wilson (Austin, Texas), they'll be more coming, and soon.
It takes time and Wilson is asking for patience.
Be patient #BuckeyeNation. Were building up a special 2019 class. You have my word #Dynasty19
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) September 25, 2018
He may be onto something, and that goes for both the 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes.
Strange's visit is a good sign, especially after Ohio State received a commitment from 2019 tight end Cormontae Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.). If anything, it shows that Strange and the Buckeyes still have mutual interest in each other despite Hamilton's commitment.
And then there's this ...
I put my trust & Faith into God and let him take the wheel. Respect my decision pic.twitter.com/oZvii3HpyT
— Renardo Malcom Green (@nado2times) September 25, 2018
Renardo Green (Apopka, Fla.) has a scheduled visit to Ohio State on Nov. 24 when Michigan travels to Columbus. The 5-foot-11, 164-pound Green is a 2019 three-star cornerback who committed to Florida State in April. With his recruitment once again open a trip to see the greatest rivalry in college football ... well, the Buckeyes are certainly in the mix.
This could be reading into things but ...
— Kendall Milton (@therealkmilt) September 25, 2018
Kendall Milton (Clovis, Calif.) is a 2020 five-star running back who was offered by the Buckeyes in January. Considered the nation's second-best running back, Milton has offers from Georgia, Oklahoma, Penn State and USC, among many others.
His tweet could be a nod to Ohio State or Oklahoma, or it could have nothing to do with football at all. But it's nice to think positive, right?
SPEAKING OF PATIENCE ...
One thing is for sure: David Bell (Indianapolis, Ind.) will play in the Big Ten. The 2019 four-star receiver is Indiana's No. 2 ranked recruit at any position and the No. 14 ranked receiver in the nation, according to 247Sports.
In June, he announced his top five schools: Ohio State, Purdue, Iowa, Penn State and Indiana. Like Strange, he'll be in Happy Valley this weekend after visiting Ohio State, and, like Green, he says he's planning on taking his official visit to Columbus on Nov. 24.
"The campus was beautiful, I loved the stadium too. The thing that stuck out to me would have to be the weight room. It was amazing," Bell told Eleven Warriors. "I think I’m going to take my OV on November 24. I've been to Ohio State about four or five times."
Still, as he should be, Bell is taking the time to mull over his decision.
"I’m still unsure what college I want to attend next year, but I should know in a few months. I like where I’m at in my recruiting process," Bell said. "I've pretty much seen everything. I really just want to see where I can come in as a freshman and make an impact."
David Bell/MaxPreps.com
If Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline has anything to do with Bell's decision, there's certainly a chance he becomes a Buckeye.
"I talk to coach Hartline pretty often, we talk every Friday and Saturday," Bell said. "The coach with the biggest impact on me would have to be coach Hartline. I think it’s just the relationship between me and him is why he has the biggest impact on me."
Bell, who plays at Warren Central, says he has things to work on before jumping to the next level. On the field, he says he can improve on his speed and off the field, he says he can be more of a vocal leader.
Warren Central is 6-0 heading into this Friday's matchup with Lawrence North. The Warriors are the No. 1 ranked team in the state of Indiana and have a bonafide receiver in Bell. In five games played, he's made 34 receptions for 698 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"My team is doing really well this year. We are 6-0, ranked number one in the state and top twenty in the country," Bell said. "We have the best offense in the state and one of the best defenses, too. I expect us to be playing in a state championship at the end of the season."
