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.
HASKINS SITUATION GETTING MORE COMPLICATED
The Buckeyes' pursuit of Maryland commitment, quarterback Dwayne Haskins, is going to be an interesting one to watch over the last six weeks of the 2016 recruiting cycle.
As you know, Haskins made an official visit to Ohio State last weekend, and since that trip he's been pretty quiet, not talking on the record about his recruitment to anyone. The Buckeyes–coaching staff, current players and future players–all feel "good" about where they stand with Haskins but there's not been any sense of closure to his recruitment because well, he's still committed to Maryland for one.
What's up with Maryland? Changes, that's what. The Terps have made their move and hired an offensive coordinator (Walt Bell, 31, who's spent the last two years in that role at Arkansas State). How Haskins, who reportedly had been watching that job opening closely, reacts is anyone's guess. What it definitely means is that Haskins' personal choice (Mike Locklsey) will not take that job, although Maryland and DJ Durkin are still kicking around the idea that Locksley could stay on as the quarterbacks' coach at least temporarily. Yes, there is some speculation that Locksley could stay on just to keep Haskins in the mix and then depart following signing day.
For two? Well, Florida–where Haskins also has made an official visit to–isn't going away. The Gators, who do have a commitment at quarterback in 2016, received a bit of a boost in their chase for Haskins yesterday as the news that Will Grier would be leaving the school. Almost immediately following that news, Florida commitments began reaching out to Haskins on Twitter.
Several #Gators commits are tweeting at Dwayne Haskins now. @dh_simba7 is very popular among his peers
— Andrew Spivey (@AndrewSpiveyGC) December 19, 2015
What that says about Haskins? Well, as the tweet says, he's well-liked by recruits all-around the nation. He's an affable and hard-working kid, so it's not a surprise that Gators' commits are trying to get him in the mix, even with Feleipe Franks already in the class. What that says for Franks? Who knows.
Haskins, who will be in Florida for the Under-Armour All-American game at the beginning of January, seems to be discussing spending some time with Florida commits during that trip. Here's a conversation with him and Gator pledge Chauncey Gardner.
@StillDat_ we gotta link. I'll be down there soon
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) December 19, 2015
Since it is a recruiting dead period, Haskins won't be able to visit the University of Florida (if he does he won't be able to see any coaches in person) but it's obvious that the struggle, as they say, is real.
ISAIAH WILSON DISCUSSES HIS RECRUITMENT
Since I was in Brooklyn for the Buckeyes' basketball game yesterday, I felt it'd be a good time to try and get a bit more in-depth with Brooklyn Poly Prep five-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson. Earlier this week, Wilson released his top eight schools.
Thank you pic.twitter.com/j8otAAnNTN
— Baby Face (@savagezay74) December 15, 2015
The Buckeyes are on the list, but everyone paying attention to recruiting right now knows that currently the 2017 prospect's favorite school sits 165 miles north of Columbus in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"I just have a great feeling about what's being built in Ann Arbor," Wilson said when asked what separates Michigan from other schools right now. "Their fans have been showing me tons of love and I've been around their coaches a ton compared to other schools."
Comfort, relationships; that's always the key. So, for a school like Ohio State, a perennial power that has not established the depth of relationship yet? What's the interest?
"Just the culture of the schools," Wilson told 11W. "The great coaching that you will find at all my top schools, it's regular things you would look for in a place you will call home for four years. Ed Warinner recruits me pretty hard but I'm not sure how (with two current tackles committed) they see me fitting in."
Being aware that the Buckeyes have two tackles (Josh Myers, Jake Moretti) already committed in 2017 isn't displaying a shortage of competitive spirit, it's just something that has to be noted. The 6-foot-7, 322-pounder isn't worried about anyone else.
"Honestly," Wilson added. "And not to be cocky, but I feel that wherever I go I'll be fighting for my spot."
The Buckeyes are one program that Wilson says he'll need to visit before he makes a college decision sometime next year.
"Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, Bama and a few others," the five-star talent responded when asked what schools he wants to check out. "I'll either decide next summer or in December after my official visits. Recruiting has just been a ton of fun to be honest. My family is enjoying it every step of the way."
VOTE FOR JAELEN GILL
One of only two 2018 prospects in Ohio with a Buckeyes' offer, Westerville South running back Jaelen Gill is one of the finalists for the StoriedRivals.com Offensive Player of the Year.
You can help the 6-foot, 165-pound early five-star by heading here and voting for the talented youngster.
If you've not come to terms with how or why a high school sophomore has an Ohio State scholarship offer, I recommend watching the video below.
HAMLIN WINS ANOTHER TITLE, LAYS THE WOOD
Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class has been essentially full for some time now but the one player they've recruited as long as anyone that's yet to make a decision is Pittsburgh's Damar Hamlin. The four-star cornerback, the country's 12th-best by ranking, has been to Ohio State many times in the last year and a half but has slowed down his recruitment as his senior season was in full-swing.
Last night, Hamlin and his Central Catholic teammates put the finishing touches on a 15-1 season, holding off Allentown Parkland 21-18 for the 4A state title in Pennsylvania.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Hamlin was responsible for the game's most devastating moment.
Right now, Pitt and Notre Dame seem to be in the best position for Hamlin, but Ohio State has not conceded the fight just yet.
