The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s events with an ear on the ground for what’s next.
MORE ON BOSA
In case you missed it somehow earlier today, Nick Bosa committed to Ohio State. We looked at his impact on the class and the reactions from the class, but I wanted to give a bit more backstory for you guys so I spoke a bit with a source close to Bosa about the decision, what went into it, whether or not Florida State really had a chance and more.
"Nick said he had an awesome time at Florida State," the source shared with Eleven Warriors. "He really liked the set up there for the players. He said he's gonna take some time to think things over. In the end I think Larry Johnson is the difference."
The "time to think things over" ended up being approximately one day, but that's likely because the decision has been made for Bosa for a while now. Now that he's in the class, another perspective on the 6-foot-4, 265-pounder sheds a bit more light on his game and mentality.
"People often try and compare Nick with Joey, or say one is better than the other," the source continued. "They are both the same size as seniors in high school, they both have great strength, speed and an outstanding work ethic. You don't need to tell them to stay after and do extra lifting, running or work on drills. The advantage Nick has is that he's the younger brother. Nick had the chance to learn from his brother in high school and even more so now that Joey is coached by one of the best in college. Both were instilled with the will to win and great competitiveness from their parents. They were raised to be humble, but confident, and work harder than everyone else and never be satisfied."
The praise didn't stop there.
"Ohio State is getting a player who is game-ready now for college. He can step in as a freshman and make a difference. He has great quickness with his first step off the line and can also dominate his opponent with his strength. Most kids have either size and power, or speed off the edge; Nick has both. He is a student of the game, he's got 4.0 GPA, and picks up new techniques fast and then incorporates what he learned quickly. He is advanced with every aspect of his game. He is a rare talent that comes along once in awhile and is still hungry to get better."
Interestingly enough, it was the trip to Florida State that might've sealed the deal for Bosa because he found they had everything he wanted in a program, but lacked what he needed: comfort. The relationships between Bosa and Urban Meyer, Larry Johnson, and the rest of the staff and team in Columbus stood out. The younger Bosa loved his Florida State visit, but according to the source I spoke with, spent his time there hanging out with Joey Bosa's best friend, a student at FSU, rather than any time with the players inside of the program.
PRYOR CLOSE TO DECISION?
Yesterday evening, Scout.com reported that Isaiah Pryor, a four-star defensive back from Lawrenceville, Georgia, would make his college decision at some point next week.
We've discussed for a few weeks now that the Buckeyes feel very confident in their positioning with Pryor, the country's 2nd-ranked 2017 safety, and they believed an early commitment almost certainly meant good news for the Scarlet and Gray. Pryor has been to Ohio State three times this year and although he's from Georgia, his family has shown no reluctance to travel (his brother plays at Iowa) which has also helped the Buckeyes' cause.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete will visit Texas this upcoming weekend and a decision could come at any time following that; nothing has been scheduled.
INDIANAPOLIS 2018 PAIR IN FOR FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Ohio State successfully ventured into the hallways of Indianapolis Cathedral High School in the 2014 class and signed wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Now, a few years later, they're getting ready to take a good look at a pair of 2018 prospects, each of whom will be on hand for Friday Night Lights tomorrow.
Running back Markese Stepp and offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor have both confirmed with 11W this week that they'll make the short drive east to Columbus. Stepp camped with the Buckeyes in June and was impressive. Ekiyor had planned to but was dealing with a minor injury that kept him from doing so. Now healthy, he's ready to come compete and show Ohio State why he's got offers from Michigan, Kentucky, South Florida and Indiana already.
Stepp is a solid 6-foot-tall and 190-pounds already and is going to be one of the region's best running backs in 2018. Kerry Coombs is the lead recruiter for both Stepp and Ekiyor at this point.
WILLIS ADDS BUCKEYE OFFER
Although they've already received commitments from two Top 100 offensive tackles in 2017, the Buckeyes aren't resting on their laurels. Last night, they extended an offer to Lexington tackle Jedrick Willis, a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder who checks in as the 10th-ranked offensive tackle and 55th-ranked player overall in 2017.
Willis is leaning towards Kentucky and will be a top priority for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats in 2017. Kentucky has reeled in one of the best offensive line groups in the country for 2016, including two four-star lineman from the Bluegrass State with Ohio State offers, Drake Jackson and Landon Young. Young is a teammate of Willis at Lafayette High School.
JARVIS HEADING TO COLUMBUS
Another offensive tackle in the 2017 class, Park Ridge, Illinois' Kevin Jarvis, will be in Columbus for Friday Night Lights. Jarvis is a 6-foot-5, 315-pounder from Maine South High School that currently has a three-star ranking but he's got a pair of Big Ten offers (Rutgers and Illinois) and has his eyes on a couple of big fish.
"I grew up rooting for Michigan State, Ohio State and Oregon," Jarvis said. "Friends of mine go to Michigan State, Ohio State has great tradition and I like Oregon's style of play."
Jarvis says he's been in touch with the Buckeyes since May and he's excited about his first visit to Ohio State.
JAYLON JONES DOWN TO TWO?
Following a visit to Ole Miss last week, we could be closing in on decision from Allen, Texas defensive back Jaylon Jones. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound defensive back visited Ohio State in June and the Buckeyes have been near the top of his list since. A decision was thought to be coming at The Opening three weeks ago, but Jones wanted to make a trip to Oxford before making a choice and if early returns are accurate, it would appear that trip has stuck with him.
"He loves Ole Miss," a source close to Jones shared with 11W. "I think it's going to be between Ohio State and Ole Miss."
A decision for Jones can happen at pretty much any point now. With a pending decision from Andrew Pryts, and Jordan Fuller still in the mix, it's bound to get very interesting for Chris Ash and Kerry Coombs if Jones is thinking Ohio State.
