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.
THE RECRUITING WEEK THAT WAS
- THE HURRY UP: 07/20 | 07/21 | 07/22 | 07/23
- FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Preview | Recap | Five Things | Social Media Highlights | Photos | Videos
- ESPN 2017 TOP 300: Buckeyes and future Buckeyes all over the place.
- MEET TARIK BLACK: Connecticut 2017 wide receiver wants to hear from Buckeyes more
- JERRON CAGE COMMITMENT: Number 8 for 2017 | What It Means
- NICK BOSA COMMITMENT: Number 18 for 2016 | What It Means | Twitter Reaction | Legacy
- LUKE FARRELL COMMITMENT: Number 19 for 2016
- BLAKE HAUBEIL COMMITMENT: Number 10 for 2017
- JAKE MORETTI INTERVIEW: 2017 standout offensive lineman discusses his Ohio State verbal.
- THE BIG THREE: Jonathon Cooper, Terrell Hall and Nick Bosa are an intimidating trio.
ACTION FOR JACKSON?
One of the weekend's biggest visitors was Ellenwood, Georgia's Antwuan Jackson, a four-star defensive tackle who lists Ohio State and Auburn as the top teams on his list. This visit to Ohio State – his second in a month – included his father and that was indisputably important for the Buckeyes' chances of landing him.
There was hope in Columbus that a good weekend and a bit of a push could seal the deal for Jackson and finish off the weekend trip with a commitment but that, at least up to this point, has not happened. That of course does not mean it won't, and after talking to a few folks today, it appears Ohio State is feeling very good about where they stand.
Based on those discussions, Ohio State's need for a defensive tackle, Jackson's developing relationships with Larry Johnson and Buckeye commitments and two summer visits on his own dime, I've put in a crystal ball prediction for the Buckeyes to land Antwuan Jackson.
JONES HAS DECISION DATE
Nearly three weeks after a decision was expected, it appears Allen, Texas 2016 defensive back Jaylon Jones is finally ready to announce his college decision.
i have decided to make my announcement on what college I will be deciding on July 28th at the barn 8:30 A.M
— Jaylon Jones (@TheJaylonJones) July 26, 2015
Jones visited Ohio State in mid-June and multiple sources that I've spoken with have stated this is likely a two team race between the Buckeyes and Ole Miss, where Jones' last visit, two weeks ago, took place. At this point, the Buckeyes would absolutely take Jones if he wants in, but the smoke around his commitment says Ole Miss is the leader and frontrunner. He made that trip with his mother and she's not been to Columbus, so if he wants to be a Buckeye, it'd be based solely on his personal trip to Ohio State last month.
GOOD VIBES FROM DARNAY HOLMES
The best performance in Ohio Stadium on Friday night came courtesy of Calabasas, California 2017 defensive back Darnay Holmes. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Holmes had been to Ohio State before, but this trip put him in close quarters with the Buckeye coaching staff and it seems to have made one heck of an impression on the five-star talent.
Blessings. pic.twitter.com/T69esXa8qB
— Darnay Holmes (@DarnayHolmes) July 26, 2015
According to Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney, the Buckeyes have actually moved into the top three for Holmes, who has been linked closely with UCLA and Stanford previously. There's a long way to go, but you can add Holmes to the list of seriously interested 2017 defensive backs.
2016 WIDE RECEIVERS STILL WIDE OPEN
With Austin Mack in the mix, the Buckeyes don't need to scramble at wide receiver, and they're not; they're evaluating the remaining options closely and taking a good look at all possibilities. On Friday, Ahmir Mitchell camped for the Buckeyes and performed well. He visited campus on Saturday and spent some time with Ohio State's Zach Smith before heading north to Michigan. There was discussion from some folks, myself included, that Mitchell could commit during his Saturday trip to Ann Arbor, but he did not.
To end all speculation I will not be committing on my visits.
— Ahmir_SoDevoted (@TheDeuce_2_Nice) July 25, 2015
He will however, return to Michigan next weekend for the "BBQ at the Big House" and the Wolverines are still the leader in the clubhouse.
Donnie Corley visited West Virginia on Saturday following his trip to Friday Night Lights and the Buckeyes felt the trip to Ohio State couldn't have gone better. Whether or not Corley, who now says he's likely to take all five official visits, ends up in Columbus is yet to be determined, but the Buckeyes feel they're right at top along with Tennessee and Michigan State. Recent speculation is that Corley actually prefers the Volunteers and the Buckeyes over the Spartans, but that flies in the face of all the discussion of the last six months.
If there's one receiver who has been coveted as long and as completely as Austin Mack, it's Florida's Binjimen Victor. This past Friday he was at Florida for the Gators' version of Friday Night Lights but the Buckeyes continue to feel that they're heavily in the mix for Victor, the country's 78th-ranked player. He visited Ohio State in the summer of 2014 for almost a week and it was a recent trip to Columbus that caused him to postpone a decision that he had scheduled for June.
One more name to continue to watch for 2016 at wide receiver is Daniel Crowell from Meridian, Mississippi. Crowell had been committed to Ole Miss since last September but on Saturday evening decided to open things back up to more closely check out two other schools: Ohio State and Mississippi State.
It's been a long ride with them and much love still for them but I have officially decommited from ole miss.
— Daniel Crowell (@crowell3daniel) July 25, 2015
Crowell is one of the most under-offered players in the country in my opinion and he's been in contact with Ohio State's coaching staff recently about setting up an official visit this fall. He may not have the common name or lofty rankings, but Crowell can flat out play and the Buckeyes know it.
