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.
WALKER GETS SPOTLIGHT
Ohio State commitment Kareem Walker, the country's top-ranked 2016 running back, is no stranger to the spotlight. This weekend, he was front and center on Sports Stars of Tomorrow, a television special on you know, the sports stars of tomorrow.
Walker talked about his recruitment, what he loved about Ohio State and more.
"I always wanted to go to them," Walker told Sports Stars. "It wasn't just like, 'Oh they're in the national championship.'"
The video also focuses on Walker's youth, growing up in a tough environment and the choices he had to make in order to keep himself on a path towards gridiron greatness.
It's a pretty great spot on Walker and the people who have given so much of their lives to help provide him the opportunities he's so close to seizing. Check it out.
VOTE HAUBEIL FOR NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Monday you saw Ohio State 2017 commitment Blake Haubeil blasting a 61-yard field goal during his teams 23-20 win this past weekend. Today, you can vote for Haubeil as the Kohlsnews.com national player of the week.
Kohls is a kicking camp, so you may notice that all the players list are, in fact, kickers. Right now, Haubeil is trailing in the vote to Minnesota punter Mac Brown, who launched an 87-yard punt last weekend.
BURTON RESCHEDULING OHIO STATE OFFICIAL VISIT
Four-star 2016 safety Brandon Burton, who was originally scheduled to visit Ohio State officially during the weekend of Sept. 12, is still working to reschedule his first trip to Columbus.
The country's sixth-ranked safety, from Gardena, Calif., is narrowing down the dates, but has not yet got anything dialed in.
"I'm aiming for Nov. 21," Burton told 11W. "I've been talking with Chris Ash a bit more."
Burton's 247Sports.com crystal ball is 83 percent in the favor of USC, and most people expect the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder to stay in California. Does the success of another Californian, Ohio State's Michael Thomas, help ease his mind about the possibility of that kind of transition?
"You know, (seeing other guys go out of state) does it make it easier to consider," Burton said. "I'm open to leaving the state for sure."
The Buckeyes are likely to be replacing both of their starting safeties next year and Burton said that's where Chris Ash and Ohio State sees him.
"They like me at safety, exclusively," Burton added about the Buckeyes. "I think I'm a hybrid, I can play both strong safety or free safety. I try to play very instinctual football, I try and model my game after Troy Polamalu."
RICHARD LECOUNTE SHOWING HIS VERSATILITY AND TALENT
There's a reason that Richard LeCounte was the first 2017 prospect contacted by some key members of the Ohio State coaching staff when contact with juniors became permissible on Sept. 1: he's really good. As his Liberty County Panthers continue to improve their football program, it's no surprise that LeCounte's role within their team continues to expand.
From SavannahNow.com:
It started with the opening kickoff, which LeCounte returned 95 yards for a touchdown. From there, LeCounte rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, completed four of seven passes for 117 yards and a score, and caught two passes for 76 yards. On defense he had eight tackles and a forced fumble as he earned Savannah Morning News player of the week honors.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound, freak of an athlete continues to be a major priority for Ohio State. While he's not going to play quarterback for the Buckeyes, or anywhere on offense in all likelihood, he's not turning down the chance to handle the ball for his high school.
“We were struggling at quarterback, so I put Richard in there and he did his thing,” Glazer said. “He hurdled one defender and made a one-handed catch for a 44-yard gain. I think it was his best overall game as far as highlights go.”
LeCounte had one lost fumble, but he quickly atoned for the mistake by blitzing the Monroe quarterback from his free safety position and forcing a fumble recovered by the Panthers.
LeCounte, at 6-0, 185-pounds, said he enjoys playing on both sides of the ball.
“It’s been fun, especially at quarterback when you have the ball in your hand and can control everything,” said LeCounte, who threw a 67-yard scoring pass to Eli Polite in the win.
LeCounte visited Georgia this past weekend and the Bulldogs, along with the Buckeyes, continue to be the two teams most likely to secure his college commitment.
HAINSEY ADDS BUCKEYE OFFER
Over the weekend, Ohio State extended an offer to one of the country's best 2017 offensive lineman, IMG Academy's Robert Hainsey.
Blessed to have received my 16th offer from THE Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/Ti3V9TFnaT
— ROBERT HAINSEY (@r_hainsey56) September 17, 2015
Hainsey, originally from Monroeville, Penn., and made visits to Ohio State this past summer before the decision to transfer to IMG. He was recruited by Luke Fickell, but as of late, it's Ed Warinner, the Buckeyes' offensive coordinator and lineman coach, that has been handling the communication.
"It feels great to get this offer," Hainsey told 11W. "I worked really hard to get it."
From discussions I've had with people in the past about Hainsey, I think it's likely that Ohio State sees the 6-foot-4, 265-pounder as an interior lineman at the next level barring any significant growth spurts. Penn State has been the school most closely tied to him because of family ties – and Monroeville coaching ties – to the Nittany Lions. Michigan State is also working hard to get involved his recruitment.
