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.
HOW URBAN MEYER'S HEALTH AFFECTS RECRUITING
If you watched Ohio State beat Maryland on television this past Saturday, you've certainly seen the images of Urban Meyer looking anguished, perturbed and on pins and needles on the Buckeyes' sideline. And if you didn't watch on television, I'm sure you've heard about Meyer's seemingly roller coaster of a day.
To be fair, if you're a Buckeyes fan, you probably felt some of the same emotions as Meyer. The defense was not at all good, the offense turned the ball over three times and let's face it, Ohio State needed overtime to beat a team it should have put away early.
But even so, much of the attention shifted to Meyer's health after the game ... again.
I've been asked several times how I think this aspect affects the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts. The truth of the matter is, I don't know. I'm not a recruit looking to play for Urban Meyer at Ohio State. But what I can tell you is that, if you actually ask recruits themselves, they don't seem to be too invested in the aspect.
Jack Sawyer, a 2021 defensive end prospect from Pickerington North, is a fan of Meyer's. Just a couple of weeks ago, Sawyer said, "I try not to pay too much attention to all of that. I'm talking with [Meyer] regularly. So that matters more than what I see [in the media]."
Those thoughts certainly mirror current those of Ohio State commit Garrett Wilson (Lake Travis, Texas). When asked about what his message to recruits would be, Wilson said, "The message to recruits is that anyone can say anything on social media and appeal to audience."
Chaparral quarterback Jack Miller's father also followed that same path saying, "Coach Meyer's health is more important than football. We are praying for him to be healthy. We are close to him and Coach [Ryan] Day. Jack speaks to them both regularly."
And Sawyer, Wilson and Miller are certainly not the only recruits, commits or parents to think this way. This could have something to do with the "family" aspect that Meyer brings to Ohio State's program. Parents feel comfortable sending their kids to play for Meyer and recruits feel at home with him in the program.
So what if he leaves after the season? After all, that's been a rumor since August.
Well, that would certainly change things. But overall, Ohio State is Ohio State. It's a program that's won 908 games in history, third all-time, eight national championships, sixth all-time, 36 conference championships and 48 bowl games.
Winning is contagious and success breeds success. Sure, if Meyer leaves, the recruiting trail may seem cold for awhile. But it's only a matter of time until it catches fire again ... especially at a program like Ohio State.
BUCKEYES OFFER PWO TO IN-STATE PROSPECT
Massillon Washington (Ohio) is currently 13-0 and getting ready for a state semifinal contest against Cincinnati Winton Woods. The Tigers have given up just 162 points this season, or 12.5 per outing. Safety Kyshad Mack has a lot to do with those numbers.
Mack, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound 2019 prospect, has been talking with Ohio State Assistant Director of Player Personnel Justin Perez. Sunday evening, Perez and the Buckeyes gave Mack a preferred walk-on offer — meaning Mack would be in a better position than most to earn a football scholarship but couldn't do so until his junior year.
Blessed to receive a preferred walk on offer to The Ohio State University! #OH pic.twitter.com/raQrBbbjvz
— Kyshad Mack INC. (@6KyshadMack) November 19, 2018
"I found out about a week ago but I wasn’t sure about it until my coach," Mack told Eleven Warriors. "I'm just looking for a school that feels like home and where I can be close to my family."
But before he focuses on his college decision, he'll first focus on Winton Woods.
"I think I’m having a pretty good senior season. It could be better honestly," he said. "But this Friday, we have to stop the run, wrap up, tackle and we should be fine."
ELIAS RICKS HAS CAREER NIGHT
Some high school football players don't record three interceptions or score three touchdowns in their entire four-year careers. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 2020 cornerback Elias Ricks accomplished both feats in one night.
The five-star prospect, ranked at the nation's top corner, entered this past Friday's state semifinal game with five interceptions on the season. After the contest, a 48-14 win, he had eight ... and returned all three picks to the house.
OH MY.. Elias Ricks DB (Mater Dei,CA) 3 INTs for Touchdowns vs Centennial pic.twitter.com/FVaMN6RuX4
— UnderTheRadar (@_UnderTheRadar_) November 17, 2018
Ricks is a priority target for the Buckeyes. His close relationship with 2020 Ohio State commit Lejond Cavazos has put the OSU right in the thick of his recruiting process. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound recruit talks with Ohio State's coaching staff regularly.
Speaking of Cavazos, the four-star 2020 safety plans to be in Columbus Saturday.
Cant wait to get to Columbus this week... #BeatTTUN
— Lejond Cavazos (@lejondaryy) November 19, 2018
He joins a list that includes current commits Steele Chambers, Cade Stover, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jack Miller.
