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.
HILL'S DECOMMITMENT WAS NOT A SURPRISE
Ok, so last night George Hill finally decommitted from Ohio State. The decision to re-open his recruitment should not have been a surprise, especially if you're a regular reader here, as we've been saying since early August that it was inevitable.
So what happened? It's really not that simple, but in the end, there just wasn't a place for George in this Ohio State class. He's an incredible athlete, that's obvious to see, but being a great athlete doesn't guarantee that someone is going to fit into the football program in Columbus, athletically or personally.
After Friday Night Lights in July, this outcome was written on the wall and it was just a matter of time before the two sides made their split official. I assume that the decision for things to go public this week was prompted by the other running back situations that are evolving, but Hill's decommitment was not and is not directly tied to Antonio Williams ' upcoming visit or whatever decision Kareem Walker ultimately makes.
Michigan State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia are among the teams most likely to land Hill, but Notre Dame and others have begun sniffing around.
WILLIAMS SAYS BUCKEYES IN HIS TOP FIVE
Yesterday I mentioned that there's a chance 2017 Georgia four-star Jamyest Williams will travel to Columbus with his teammate, Buckeye commitment Isaiah Pryor. Williams, the country's 63rd-ranked prospect, says he's been getting a lot of attention from Ohio State lately.
"(Ohio State) shows a lot of love," Williams told Eleven Warriors. "I'm trying to get up there for the Penn State game with Isaiah (Pryor)."
Williams has 40 scholarship offers to his name, including Michigan State, Auburn, Florida State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Stanford, Georgia, and others. An Athens, Georgia native, Williams has only been to a few schools for visits.
"I have not been to any schools for games except Michigan State," Williams said "I love their staff."
As for the Buckeyes, Williams told 11W he's getting a three-pronged recruiting pitch.
"I talk with Coach Ash, Coach Coombs and Coach Meyer," he said. "The relationship with them is real good. I'm definitely a priority for them and they let that be known. They're definitely in my top five right now."
Can the Buckeyes make a move up towards the top of the list? A visit this weekend would certainly go a long way towards making that happen.
HAYES HAS OFFICIAL VISITS PLANNED OUT
On Tuesday we caught the news that former USC commit Daelin Hayes was planning an official visit to Ohio State for their November 7th game against Minnesota and last night he released his full visit schedule, which yes, includes the Buckeyes.
Official Visits - Notre Dame Oct. 17 Ohio State Nov. 7 Michigan State Nov. 14 Oklahoma Nov. 21 LSU Nov. 28
— Daelin Hayes (@DaelinHayes_24) October 15, 2015
Hayes and the Buckeyes have not talked much since his commitment to USC, but there's no doubt that as they continue to look for another linebacker in the 2016 class that they're hoping to make an impression on him. Notre Dame is absolutely the team to beat at this point and it wouldn't be entirely surprising if he committed to the Irish this weekend and didn't take any other visits.
However, just about 20 minutes ago, the plans for Hayes changed. You can strike Oklahaoma off his list, and add Oregon, it appears.
Blessed to have been offered by The University of Oregon I will also reschedule my Nov. 21 Visit to Oregon pic.twitter.com/UsiC4B1ozg
— Daelin Hayes (@DaelinHayes_24) October 15, 2015
AMBRY THOMAS TO VISIT BUCKEYES THIS WEEKEND
I mentioned yesterday that 2017 Cass Tech defensive back Jaylen Kelly-Powell will visit Ohio State this weekend and today I was told that Ambry Thomas, a four-star 2017 cornerback from Detroit's Martin Luther King High School, is likely to come with Kelly-Powell.
Thomas, unlike Kelly-Powell, has an offer from both Michigan State and Michigan, so for him to come south with his cousin as opposed to heading to Ann Arbor – if it happens – is interesting.
Thomas is the country's 12th-ranked cornerback in the 2017 class and is another of Detroit's best players being recruited by Ohio State's Kerry Coombs.
WAYNE DAVIS EXCITED FOR OFFICIAL VISIT
The visit list for this weekend is the biggest story in Buckeye recruiting outside of the challenges at running back and another Ohio State commitment, Virginia's Wayne Davis, is looking forward to his official trip to Columbus.
Columbus this Weekend for my Official and the #BlackOut #BlackSaturday #GoBucks
— Wayne Davis (@Waynedavis1_) October 15, 2015
Davis committed to the Buckeyes in July and his tweet was met with some excitement from Tristen Wallace, who's also making his official visit this weekend.
we gone be turnt brodie! https://t.co/FN8cLBw6GG
— T.Wall (@Official_Wall5) October 15, 2015
I believe that Wallace's message, roughly translated to old person speak, means "we're going to have a good time, brother."
Tomorrow's Hurry Up will be a Penn State visitor preview.
