The Hurry Up: More on Moretti, Another 2017 Offensive Lineman Hopes to Visit, Meet Kurt Taylor and More

By Jeremy Birmingham on July 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Georgia Running Back Kurt Taylor
Kurt Taylor
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The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s event with an ear on the ground for what’s next.


MORE ON MORETTI

Last night, Colorado four-star 2017 offensive lineman Jake Moretti made himself some headlines when he committed to Ohio State. Moretti, who only visited Ohio State for the first time on June 18 and 19, was a surprise to most Buckeye fans, but he's player that the coaching staff valued pretty highly since his visit. One source close to the recruitment of Moretti was clear with me about why the Buckeyes were willing to take him on as a commitment this early in the process.

"(Moretti) is very aggressive and physical, he's a finisher," the source said. "He ran well and he's got a 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame now. He'll be 305 pounds in two years."

The country's 56th-ranked prospect joining the 2017 class means two of the country's Top 10 offensive tackles are already pledged to the Buckeyes. Moretti joins Miamisburg, Ohio tackle Josh Myers

"Today was a big day for the Buckeyes," the source added.

TERRELL HALL DOCUMENTARY PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO HIS WORK-ETHIC

Earlier today, 2016 Buckeye commitment Terrell Hall participated in the 11W Community Interview series. Hall, the country's 10th-ranked defensive end, had been the subject of some rumors in late June following a visit he made to Maryland.

When he dispelled the rumors, Hall let me know that he'd be involved in a little documentary that highlighted his path from a scrawny freshman to the monster defensive end he is now. That video follows and includes a bit of insight into his recruitment and why he ended up committing to the Buckeyes.

JACK ANDERSON HOPING TO VISIT OHIO STATE

With Myers and Moretti already in the fold for 2017, the Buckeyes are now in a position where they're able to pretty selective with the rest of the offensive line group for next year. 

One of the few players they've offered in that class, Frisco, Texas, guard Jack Anderson, is the country's top-ranked guard and a five-star prospect according to the national rankings. Anderson has over 40 offers already and he says he's been in touch with Ohio State fairly regularly.

"I am trying to get up there on the 24th," Anderson said of Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp that is upcoming. "Coach (Tim) Beck is my recruiter. We talk every few weeks and he sends me camp stuff in the mail so I know."

ANTWUAN JACKSON HAS BUCKEYES AT THE TOP

Yesterday afternoon, Ellenwood, Georgia's Antwuan Jackson released his Top 10 schools and the Buckeyes are at the top of the list for the four-star defensive tackle.

The list, which was in order according to Jackson, speaks to the impression that the Buckeyes made on the 6-foot-2, 285-pounder during a three-day, early June visit to Columbus. Ohio State sits with Auburn, long-rumored to be the leader for Jackson, and he's been to Auburn a handful of times.

Jackson has been working to return to Ohio State this summer, but it's unknown if that will happen or not. What's more likely is that an official visit to Ohio State will be the next time Jackson visiting the Buckeyes.

KURT TAYLOR COMING TO FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

With Todd Sibley, Jr. already committed to the Buckeyes, there's not much of a need to continue searching for 2017 running backs, but Ohio State is going to, at the very least, make sure they see some of the nation's best when they can. Last week they offered California five-star Najee Harris and on Friday I heard from Covington, Ga.'s Kurt Taylor, who says he'll be heading to Columbus for Friday Night Lights.

Taylor, the country's 25th-ranked tailback in his class, looks the part. He's a brick-outhouse at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds and runs regularly in the sub-4.5 range. He holds 11 scholarship offers, including Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Cincinnati and others but he says right now he thinks the "big boys" are waiting for each other to jump into the mix.

"I don't know why (I don't have bigger offers)," Taylor told 11W. "I guess (the big schools) are waiting to see who will offer first."

Despite his under-the-radar status, Taylor does not lack for confidence. Asked why he's making the trek to Columbus, he was direct in his goals.

"I'm the most underrated running back in my class," he said. "It's time that the world knows about me. I truly believe Ohio State is perfect for my game."

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