The Hurry Up: Talking Antwuan Jackson, Jonathon Cooper and More Ohio State Recruiting News

By Jeremy Birmingham on November 1, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Urban Meyer on the prowl for big time talent.
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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.


INJURED COOPER DRAWS RAVE REVIEWS FOR TOUGHNESS

I mentioned in Friday's version of The Hurry Up how impressive and surprising it was that Gahanna Lincoln five-star defensive end Jonathon Cooper played in the Golden Lions' Thursday night showdown with Pickerington Central. Cooper's injury, while it is not requiring surgery, is still serious and the fact that he suited up 5 days following the injury – one that would keep most sidelined for weeks – was eye-popping.

Scout.com analyst Bill Greene was at the game on Thursday night, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cooper, wanting to see if his on-field development matched up with the impressive summer he had, shredding through competition at camps all over the country.

From Scout.com:

In truth, Cooper might have been 50%, maybe less, but he gutted it out for a half on sheer guts and heart. When his team was on offense, Cooper had trouble walking, but when the defense took the field somehow he headed back out there with his teammates. 

I asked someone close to him why he would risk further injury by playing, and received an interesting reply: "Because his team is playing for the conference title and they haven't won one in 15 years. He wants to win this thing very badly.

There are few people in the state of Ohio who are most poignant but harder to impress than Greene and it appears Cooper has earned another stamp of approval.

This kid has EVERYTHING he needs to be a star at Ohio State, not just a contributor. Any kid willing to risk his future for a high school conference title is going to lay it all on the line every single time he laces them up for Ohio State. 

AUSTIN MACK SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS ARE PRETTY GOOD

I've been on the Austin Mack bandwagon for a while and his senior highlight tape, which he forwarded me today, should explain why.

Friday Mack said he felt he could play as a freshman at Ohio State next season and it's hard to argue with him based on what his on that tape.

JACKSON SCOPES OUT AUBURN

Ohio State's top defensive line target remaining in 2016, Antwuan Jackson, made the first of what could be four upcoming visits to Auburn this weekend, where he watched a deflated Tigers' team get handled by Ole Miss.

Jackson, the country's 9th-ranked defensive tackle, was once again a big priority for the Tigers.

As for Antwuan and the Buckeyes, it does appear more and more likely that the next few Auburn trips will have his official visit to Ohio State sandwiched in between them. The Buckeyes are expecting Jackson on November 21st for their big game against Michigan State.

Ohio State and Auburn remain Jackson's top two schools.

NEW 2016 DEFENSIVE BACK OFFER 

The Buckeyes offered a new 2016 defensive back this afternoon, three-star prospect Myles Dorn from Charlotte's Zebulon Vance High School. 

Dorn, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, has offers from North Carolina, NC State, Clemson and others among his 18. 

Though listed as a wide receiver on 247Sports.com, the offer to Dorn is as a defensive back/athlete. 

"I've been talking to Chris Ash," Dorn told Eleven Warriors. "We've been talking for about two to three weeks."

The Buckeyes have been to the point with Dorn about what they're looking for and why he's received this offer.

"(He told me) that they needed a safety in this class," Dorn added. "(He) watched the film and was impressed, and said I fit what they're looking for."

As for whether Ohio State fits what he's looking for? That's to be determined.

"I've visited NC State and West Virginia so far," he said. "Hopefully I'll get up (to Ohio State) for a game, but we haven't set a date yet."

JUAREZ BREAKDOWN FROM RIVALS.COM 

As the Buckeyes continue their search for another linebacker in the 2016 class, the attention seems to be staying primarily on California five-star Mique Juarez, who, like Jackson, Ohio State is hoping to see for an official visit on November 21st.

What makes the 6-foot-2, 222-pounder from Torrance (California) North High School so coveted? 

From Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney:

Juarez played safety and did a nice job but he will almost definitely move to linebacker at the next level. I compared Juarez to USC LB and former five-star Su'a Cravens but Juarez is much more physical at the same stage without that freakish ability to read plays before they happen. Still, Juarez is as physical as any linebacker in this class and he brings the heavy hitting when he can - on offense or defense - all game long. After seeing him against Leuzinger, it only reinforced his ranking as a five-star and the top-rated prospect in California.

Can the Buckeyes make a run at this star from the Left Coast? It's all going to start with an official visit and if there's a chance for Ohio State that visit needs to happen sooner rather than later.

UCLA, Oklahoma, USC and others are all still definitely in the mix.

VICTOR DOWNPLAYING LEADERS

Florida's Binjimen Victor is not only the most likely wide receiver to join Austin Mack in the 2016 recruiting class for the Buckeyes, but he's also quickly becoming one of the country's best overall recruits. Last week, the 6-foot-4, 170-pounder from Coconut Creek, Florida added an offer from USC, his 43rd offer.

Victor has made two official visits so far – to West Virginia and Ohio State – and will make his next official visit to Florida at the end of November. The Gators, Tennessee and Auburn are potentially in line for an official as well, although the USC offer is one that has caught his eye.

Towards the end of last week, Victor talked with 247Sports.com analyst Ryan Bartow about Ohio State and others, but it appears he's trying to keep his thoughts to himself.

"I like their program," Victor said of the Buckeyes. "I think I could fit in their program. [But] all the schools I named are basically all tied right now because I don’t want to spill nothing."

The rest of the article is illuminating and worth reading if you're a 247Sports.com subscriber. 

As far as the Buckeyes are concerned, they feel incredibly confident in their standing with Victor at this time and if he ends up signing elsewhere I'd consider it an upset at this point.

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