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.
CARLTON DAVIS VISITING THE U AND OTHERS
When Miami Norland defensive back Carlton Davis committed to Ohio State, it was a surprise to most. Davis, a 6-foot-1 defensive back who is likely to line up at safety in college, made no bones about his intention to visit other schools immediately upon his selection of the Buckeyes. Since then, Davis and his Viking teammates have focused on the football season, which is now over. This weekend, Davis will visit the University of Miami, a trip that's sure to be the first of at least a handful. Expect Florida and maybe Texas to also get a look from the three-star prospect.
Davis is scheduled to visit Ohio State officially on November 29th.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Last night I was asked a question on Twitter, and I thought it was interesting so I wanted to share it here and give it a reply.
@Birm birm, I trust urban & his staff much moreso than Internet star gazers but I'm curious what u make of our pursuit of low ranked dbacks
— Steve Bruss (@sbruss81) November 13, 2014
A valid question, for sure. The Buckeyes, with six currently committed defensive backs, don't have what is considered any "can't miss" prospects in the fold, at least according to the "experts." Of the committed players projected to play defensive back (Denzel Ward, Josh Norwood, Eric Glover-Williams, Tyler Green, Jamel Dean, and the aforementioned Davis) none are ranked higher at their position than Glover-Williams, who is the least likely to stay at cornerback throughout his college career. Are the Buckeyes concerned? I talked to a regular source at Ohio State who is very familiar with the defensive back recruiting and if he's worried, he's not showing it.
"We really like the guys we have, it's not like we missed on a lot of other players that we offered and these were 'Plan B' guys," the source said. "People are simply not paying attention to what these kids do on the field for whatever reason. Ward might be the most dominating player in the state this year. Dean is a freak. EGW? With his head on straight he's able to control a football game more than most kids could dream of. Norwood's tape and level of competition is lights out. Green was in The Opening, we're obviously not the only ones who think he can play. We're happy with where things stand and there's still talented players out there."
"If having 'less stars' means these kids come in and work even harder to prove people wrong? We'll take that all attitude all day every day."
RUNNING BACK SITUATION
The Buckeyes are still in the loop for Damien Harris, no matter how much smoke there is to suggest otherwise. Yes, Kentucky is confident they'll land the country's top running back — and rightfully so because he's visited his hometown Wildcats 4302 times in the last month — but Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes haven't given up the chase. They're still hoping to see him back on campus before a decision is made. Right now, Harris isn't talking much about his intentions, but the Buckeyes have been in the mix from day one and will be until February. Kentucky's football program is much improved and the lure to stay home is always appealing. The Wildcats also helped their cause by signing head coach Mike Stoops to a contract extension through the 2018 season, which coincidentally would be the end of Harris' career. Ohio State is trailing here, but down is not out.
Detroit Cass Tech running back Mike Weber is my personal choice as the "next" option behind Harris. The Michigan commitment is planning on making official visits, but it looks like they will not happen until after the football season. Weber was slated to be in attendance last weekend in East Lansing, but did not make the trip. Michigan State commitment LJ Scott is right there with Weber on the totem pole, but it's unknown whether or not the Ohio native will give the Buckeyes another visit. Recent interviews have indicated the Buckeyes are pushing for it, but sources close to Scott say it won't happen. That could just be a smokescreen in order to prevent any recruiting drama from happening. If he shows up in Columbus by noon on Saturday November, 29th? Things will get interesting.
The last running back option at this point could be Nashville's Ke'Shawn Vaughn (pictured). The lowest "ranked" of the group, Vaughn added a Buckeye offer about a month ago and has been in communication with Ohio State since. He's scheduled an official visit to Columbus for the weekend of December 13th. If the "Big Three" haven't decided in Ohio State's favor by that point, Vaughn could get a serious push to commit.
