Over the weekend, Kareem Walker, the country's top-ranked running back recruit and a longtime Ohio State commitment, made the first of what is sure to be only one of his official visits. The Buckeyes' coaching staff had been told many times that Walker was going to make visits to other schools, yet this trip has stirred up a host of emotions and potential recruiting dominoes. Why?
Because this trip was to Michigan.
After the weekend visit, Walker updated his recruitment via a press release in the hopes of avoiding a rush of rumors, innuendo and bitter back-and-forths.
"I'm a low-key guy," Walker said in the release. "(I'm) not looking to make a story for someone when there really isn't any story."
Well, unfortunately for Kareem, Chris Patridge, Michigan's director of player personnel and, like Walker, a New Jersey native, decided to make a story by firing a shot at the Ohio State coaching staff, who had been rumored (incorrectly) to have given Walker an ultimatum about his planned future trips.
Just remembered a great quote. "A person is only insecure about losing someone when they know someone else can treat them better"
— Chris Partridge (@CoachCPartridge) October 14, 2015
This morning, Ohio State running back's coach Tony Alford responded in kind; albeit with a bit more measured, and appropriately cited, approach.
My dad, RIP, taught my brothers & I that we NEVER should feel insecure about what others do/think if we KNOW WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE STAND FOR
— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) October 14, 2015
Alford was quick to point out that he wasn't trying to continue the conversation, but that he was standing by his statement.
@rydog2729 No shots fired!! Way above that!! Just facts of life from my opinion. Again, just my opinion. Take it or leave it!!
— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) October 14, 2015
Walker's recruitment has had plenty of ups and downs, and current speculation is that he'll re-open his recruitment within the next few days. That has been spurred on by Ohio State welcoming Antonio Williams, a four-star running back committed to Wisconsin, to campus this weekend for an unofficial visit.
Whether Walker ends up at Michigan, Ohio State or somewhere else is yet to determined, but the rivalry between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines is ramping up as they head towards a season-defining showdown in late November.