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.
ALLEN CHECKS OUT BUCKEYES
While Dwayne Haskins remains virtually the only prep quarterback the Buckeyes are sincerely chasing at the moment, they're still in conversations with former Texas A&M signal-caller Kyle Allen. The former five-star prospect from Scottsdale, Arizona, took advantage of Ohio State being virtually in his backyard on Wednesday by heading to Pinnacle High School and watching the Buckeyes practice.
Can confirm that former A&M QB Kyle Allen was at Ohio State practice yesterday. Dead period so no contact with coaching staff. #OSU
— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) December 31, 2015
Allen, as a transfer, is bound and restricted by the same rules as any collegiate prospect in respect to contact, so, as Bill Greene stated, there was no direct, face-to-face contact with the Buckeyes or their staff. Allen, like other people in attendance, watched the practice from afar, likely to try and get a better understanding of the methods of and personalities on the Ohio State coaching staff.
While it's clear that there remains some mutual interest between the two parties, it's wise to maintain caution before becoming too optimistic about the chances that Allen could transfer to Ohio State. There are a number of key pieces that need to be considered, primarily the fact that Allen has not visited Columbus since June of 2012 and, with the recruiting dead period ending on Jan. 13 but classes beginning Jan. 11, would not have the chance to do so before enrolling.
There was a time though when Allen really was interested in Ohio State but the Buckeyes, chasing a committed DeShaun Watson, didn't strike while the iron was hot.
"I was pretty focused on the Buckeyes a year ago," Allen told 11W in May of 2013. "I wanted that offer pretty bad, but I think the wait (for the offer) is actually a good thing. I have gotten a chance to see a number of great schools around the country and I am looking at them all. It helped me do my homework and I've got a lot of great opportunities around the nation, but the Buckeyes are up at the top of my list."
A month later, without a visit to Ohio State, Allen committed to Texas A&M. He said then that he felt an obligation to let them know of his choice as other quarterback dominoes were contingent on his choice.
"Ohio State is a great school," Allen told us. "I felt I owed it to them and the other players around the country to make my choice when I knew I was ready."
Now, Allen, who was the country's top-ranked quarterback in 2014, and the Buckeyes are flirting again but this time with a potential impact on a 2016 domino, so what happens? Would the Buckeyes prefer one or the other?
Not really, according to one source. There are pros and cons each way, and while neither would be expected to really compete until 2017, there seems to be some back-and-forth amongst the staff as to whom would ultimately be a better fit.
Bottom line? Ohio State would be thrilled to land either, but Allen's decision likely has to come sooner than Haskins' and it wouldn't bring with it the residual fear of other visits, a signing day flip-flop, etc.
CARLOS BECKER UPDATES RECRUITMENT IN ORLANDO
One player that we know is planning to visit Ohio State this January is defensive back Carlos Becker.
The Kissimmee, Florida, cornerback, who will visit the Buckeyes Jan. 22, has been turning heads in Orlando this week at the Under-Armour All-American game.
From 247Sports.com:
Osceola cornerback Carlos Becker has been elevated from a three-star to a four-star rating. Becker is a big corner at 6-2 who has strong track numbers in the long jump and hurdles. This week in Orlando though, he's proved that he's more than just a big athlete. He's a talented and smooth cornerback according to the 247Sports boots on the ground.
Becker talked with Scout.com in Orlando and updated the most recent news in his recruitment.
PAIR OF BUCKEYES PREPARE FOR FINAL HIGH SCHOOL GAME
While a third of the Ohio State 2016 recruiting class is playing their final high school game in San Antonio next Saturday, two of them–running back Antonio Williams and defensive back Kareem Felder–will conclude their prep careers Friday.
The Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which takes place in Daytona Beach, Florida, will showcase the future Buckeyes along with 84 other high school seniors with players committed to programs all over the country.
If you're interested in watching the game, which airs New Year's Day at 5:45 p.m. EST, you can do so online by streaming the game following this link.
I'VE GOT A FEVER AND THE ONLY CURE IS MORE HAUBEIL
It's not often that kickers are really worth getting excited about, but in the Internet age, we're given unique glimpses into things we might not of seen otherwise.
Take, for example, these two videos featuring Ohio State 2017 kicker commitment Blake Haubeil, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who chose the Buckeyes at Friday Night Lights this past July.
Video one, is Haubeil doing a rapid-fire kicking drill where he nails eight 40-yard field goals, from different angles, in under 50 seconds.
Not impressed? What about this one?
He thinks he's good @BlakeHaubeil #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/U2hDOt5QPZ
— Drue Chrisman (@Drue_Man) December 31, 2015
Ok, OK, it's easy to kick with no pressure, right? No, not exactly. Still, highlight tapes are highlight tapes but in this case it's pretty crazy and it's good sign for the future of the Ohio State kicking game.
