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.
Adeleye sets visit date
For several weeks, it has been assumed that Ohio State would be getting one of its biggest visits of the spring from the IMG (Fla.) Academy four-star defensive end Tunmise Adeleye.
It's crucial for the Buckeyes to get Adeleye on campus for a visit, and that visit has now been set for the day of Ohio State's spring game, April 11, as Adeleye announced on Twitter that he would also soon be visiting Florida (March 7), Alabama (March 22-25), Oklahoma (March 26-28) and Texas A&M (April 18).
Spring visit schedule... lets ride pic.twitter.com/MmWCTcd7vi
— (@TunmiseAdeleye) March 1, 2020
It will be an incredibly busy spring for Adeleye, whose list of visits helps give some more insight into which programs the 6-foot-3, 260-pound junior is leaning toward.
"Some schools are beginning to separate themselves from the rest, but I don’t want to go into detail," Adeleye told Eleven Warriors shortly before announcing his unofficial visit schedule on social media.
Adeleye is one of the Buckeyes' biggest targets at a defensive end position that is in big need of replenishing with star power following a 2020 class that got three solid, versatile players (Jacolbe Cowan, Darrion Henry-Young, Ty Hamilton) but none that stand out as electric pass-rushers.
That's exactly what the Buckeyes have in 2021 five-star commit Jack Sawyer, the country's No. 2-ranked overall junior and No. 3-ranked Ohio State recruit of all-time as of now, and pairing Sawyer with someone of Adeleye's ilk would be a dream scenario for Larry Johnson, the Buckeyes and their fans.
Adeleye has told Eleven Warriors in the past how highly he thinks of Johnson and that he could envision himself pairing with Sawyer to make an exciting one-two pass-rushing tandem. Ohio State's propensity for developing pro-ready talent continues to be a major factor in how he views the program, and this week's NFL Combine helped put some of that on display.
"I have a good relationship with coach Johnson, coach (Ryan) Day and coach (Greg) Mattison," Adeleye told us over the weekend. "Ohio State is different from everyone because they’re known for developing elite players at practically every position."
#GoBucks @D_jack78 https://t.co/hivxWt41Yx
— (@TunmiseAdeleye) February 23, 2020
Adeleye put the Buckeyes as one of his final six programs back in December, and LSU is the only one of those teams that Adeleye did not announce a visit to this spring.
Other high-caliber recruits whom the Buckeyes are targeting along the defensive line are J.T. Tuimoloau (a defensive tackle who has the versatility to play on the end) and Demeioun Robinson (a defensive end who has the versatility to play outside linebacker). Landing even two out of those four – Sawyer, Tuimoloau, Adeleye and Robinson – could give the Buckeyes the best pass-rushing tandem in the 2021 class.
High expectations
Adeleye first got in contact with the Buckeyes through defensive graduate assistant Kenny Anunike at a camp in Houston last year, then met Johnson last June and eventually met co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who has become one of Adeleye's primary recruiters.
Since then, Adeleye has soared up the national rankings. He was ranked No. 24 overall in the country just two weeks ago, though his ranking has dipped to No. 43 overall with an update over the weekend. He's now a high-end four-star prospect, but if Adeleye has the senior season he expects, don't be surprised to see that fifth star added back onto his name.
Adeleye transferred to IMG in February from Tompkins (Texas) High School, and he says, "it's been a smooth transition so far. I’d say the thing I’ve learned the most while in here is how to better manage my time."
Guess who I just found working out by himself on a Saturday? It is our DE Tunmise Adeleye lives with a No Days Off mentality. T is a GREAT football player, HARD worker & this young man has a VERY bright future for sure! @TunmiseAdeleye pic.twitter.com/bHLF8qt987
— Brian Griffin (@GRIFFbgriffin) February 29, 2020
That time management includes making the most out of his time in the gym and on the field, as he says his "explosion training on the vertimax, ball get-off drills and hand-to-hand combat drills with my D-line coach, Ernie Logan," are all contributing to a confidence level that is starting to soar for the ultra-talented player.
"I believe with all my heart that no one in the country has a first step as explosive as mine," said Adeleye, who said he's "a pass-rushing end" when asked if the Ohio State coaches are evaluating him as a pure defensive end or one who could slide inside to play defensive tackle.
"No one in the country has been working as hard as I have these past couple of months. I feel like all my work in the dark will be seen under the Friday night lights."
If that ends up being the case, Adeleye should be in for a tremendous final season in a high school uniform, one for which he has set himself a major bar to eclipse.
"The school I was at previously ran a scheme that didn’t allow me to show the world what I’m capable of," Adeleye said. "You’re hearing it here first – now that I’m at IMG, I’m finishing this season with 25-plus sacks."
Other visitors
TreVeyon Henderson, the nation's No. 2-ranked running back and No. 17-ranked overall player in 2021, and Jager Burton, the country's No. 8-ranked offensive guard and No. 156-ranked overall junior, are two other top targets expected to be on campus for the Buckeyes' spring game.
As the date gets closer, Eleven Warriors is compiling a list of recruits who are planning to visit on that April 10-12 weekend. We expect Henderson and Burton to be on that list as two of the biggest headliners in addition to Adeleye.
