The Hurry-Up: Justin Hilliard Back to Iowa City, Baker, Berry Commitment Breakdowns

By Jeremy Birmingham on October 22, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Urban Meyer is focused on the Elite '15
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Welcome to The Hurry-Up, which runs Sunday through Thursday, serving as your last stop for recruiting news and notes nightly. We'll recap the day as it happened and preview the days ahead while keeping our ear to the ground on the Ohio State recruiting scene.


JEROME BAKER DISCUSSION

Last night, it finally happened: Jerome Baker flipped his commitment from Florida to Ohio State. Amid copious amounts of internet high-fiving and celebrating from fans, the Buckeyes were caught off guard a bit by the timing of Baker's decision, but not the reality of it. Since his mid-Summer commitment to Florida, Ohio State and Urban Meyer have been working diligently to keep hope — and communication — alive with the state's second-ranked player. Now that he's a Buckeye, Baker's impact will likely be felt throughout the entire region. Yes, Ohio State not only landed another extremely talented player in their class, but signaled that it's still pretty damn difficult to get the best in Ohio to go anywhere but Columbus. 

As a player, Baker's talent is only surpassed by his versatility. He is likely to line up at linebacker for the Buckeyes, but he's equally qualified to be a big-time college running back. With Baker in the mix, Ohio State has commitments from the state's top three linebackers (Justin Hilliard, Baker, Nick Conner) and the trio will make up a complete set of Big Ten linebackers. 

Aside from the typo in my tweet, that set up is how things are likely to shake out when the three arrive on campus. The question of "does Jerome Baker impact Justin Hilliard" has been asked, repeatedly, and we'll take a quick look at that below. Bottom line? Ohio State has gotten better, and they had an assist from Baker's parents, who were supportive no matter what he decided, but were steadfast in their belief that the Buckeyes provided the best option. That's the way it ought to be after all, isn't it?

MORE ON RASHOD BERRY

Yesterday, Ohio State offered 2015 Lorain defensive end/athlete Rashod Berry. Today, Rashod Berry is a Buckeye. In the words of you know, people, "that escalated quickly."

Here's what Ohio State is getting with Berry: an athlete, capable of playing multiple positions. Berry could be a defensive end, a linebacker, a tight end — heck he plays wide receiver for the Titans now — but I think he'll end up at defensive end. According to one source close to Ohio State, even they don't know what the plan is right now.

"He's just an athlete, can play a lot of spots," the source told Eleven Warriors. "He's the type of guy we just want to get on campus and see where he fits best."

If you're looking for a comparable situation, look at Ohio State freshman Sam Hubbard. Berry is a bit more raw than Hubbard, but he's got the frame to get up to 260 pounds relatively easily, if they see him on the defensive line, where I personally see him ending up. That thought is shared by Rivals.com analyst Marc Givler, but apparently not by Rivals.com analyst Josh Helmboldt.

I put in my "crystal ball" selection for Berry on Saturday after talking to a few people close to him over the weekend who suggested a Buckeye offer was looming. Knowing that, combined with my conversations with Rashod, pointed to a quick decision whenever the offer came. Berry is the 19th commitment in the Ohio State 2015 class and the 10th player from Ohio.

WHAT THE HILLIARD

Let's cut to the chase everyone is worried about: Justin Hilliard. Last night, minutes after Baker's Twitter announcement, 247Sports.com director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong posted that Justin Hilliard would make a second, now unofficial visit, to Iowa, and soon. After that, Helmboldt took the news a bit further and said the return trip would be on November 1st. That date, when the Buckeyes host Illinois in a night game at Ohio State, a recruiting showcase for the "Elite '15," is significant because Hilliard, as the leader of the Buckeyes' class should be at Ohio State that day, not another school, right?

Well, yes and no. November 1st is Iowa's "Family Weekend" and since Justin's brother is a freshman at Iowa, it does make sense for his parents, as well as Justin himself, to visit Iowa that weekend. Of course, Ohio State will attempt to keep Hilliard in Columbus that weekend, but if he goes to Iowa that weekend, you can understand why. Adding to the intrigue? I talked to Justin today briefly and this is what he said about his scheduled trip.

"I don't even know when I am visiting Iowa again," Hilliard told me. "I am going to visit again sometime soon, but I don't have a date yet."

Does that mean he's not visiting on the first? Of course not, it's definitely possible. Talking to people inside of the WHAC today, Ohio State is working hard to make sure there's no confusion regarding Hilliard's role in the recruiting class, and that each linebacker committed is being recruited for a different position. 

"There's a little 'damage control' going on today," the source said. "We think it will be fine, and I'd not be surprised if Justin was at Ohio State on November 1st instead of Iowa."

Essentially: Ohio State is aware that they have to recruit Hilliard — and all their commitments — until signing day. There is little concern regarding Justin's intentions, and although they'd prefer he not make any more visits, they're certainly not going to try and stop him from visiting with his family.

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