The Hurry Up: Major Offers for a Pair of Ohioans, Big Weekend for Penn State Coming and More

By Jeremy Birmingham on February 25, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Ohio State 2018 offer Jackson Carman during a visit with the Buckeyes.
Jackson Carman
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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.

RIEP ADDS ANOTHER MAJOR OFFER

We've discussed Cincinnati Colerain star Amir Riep a number of times since his junior day visit to Columbus–and subsequent offer from the Buckeyes that day–because, well, he's blowing up on a level that most recruits only dream about.

His last offer is one that's interesting.

Interesting why?

Well, for one, Michigan hasn't really tried–at least not in 2016 or 2017–to offer any players from Ohio that the Buckeyes have, choosing rather to keep their energy on more likely-to-be-successful endeavors. Secondly, the Wolverines have had at least some historical success at Colerain, so maybe there's more to the other than just being perfunctory and monkey-see, monkey-do about the offer? The Cardinals' produced 2015 Michigan captain Joe Bolden, and Bolden's father, Tom, is the head coach at Colerain.

The Buckeyes are still the runaway leader to land the four-star cornerback, but don't be surprised if some schools start to use the excellent position Ohio State is in with Riep and a handful of other defensive backs against them on the recruiting front. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has a handful of visits upcoming to schools like Notre Dame and Tennessee, and it'd be very surprising if Michigan didn't get a visit as well.

PER THE NCAA: SUBTWEETING IS BAD

Because they're doing such an amazing job governing their already insanely long list of inane rules, the NCAA dipped their toes into the Land of Teenage Girls Thursday and said that "subtweeting" isn't cool, and hasn't been kosher for a while despite coaches regularly doing it.

Some examples of this?

That's Texas assistant Chris Vaughn, "subtweeting" eventual signee Jeffrey McCulloch, who has the nickname "The Shark." McCulloch seemed to be regular subtweeting target of Vaughn, this one was from two days before signing day.

There are plenty of schools doing similar things, even normally stoic folks like Mark Dantonio at Michigan State who made references to different high school mascots. Mark Pantoni? Guilty. I mean who can forget this from the day early-enrolled offensive lineman Michael Jordan committed?

 What do you think? Can this be enforced? 

XAVIER GOLDSMITH PLANNING OHIO STATE TRIP

We talked about 2019 Detroit Cass Tech defensive back Xavier Goldsmith for the first time following a one-day camp at Ohio State last summer.

At about 5-foot-7 and weighing in at no more than 145-pounds, Goldsmith may have been the best pure cornerback in the entire camp today. Forget his size for now, this is a kid who has some serious polish to his game already and when he grows (likely to end up around 5-foot-10 or so) he is going to be a big-time national name.

The 5-foot-8, 150-pounder (I know!), who has offers from Cincinnati, Kent State and Army, says he's planning to make another trip to Ohio State sometime soon.

"I plan to go down to Ohio State this spring for a practice," the future All-American said. "I think March. I spoke to Jaylen Kelly-Powell and we just might come together right after I get back from spring break with my family."

I say "future All-American" because the game Goldsmith has is much bigger than his current body, but he knows that he's got to even them up.

"I'm just focusing on getting bigger, stronger and faster," he said about the work he's putting off the field, trying to make himself more marketable to colleges. I talk to Clemson and West Virginia a lot, they want me to get stronger and faster."

Goldsmith is only a freshman in high school, so there's plenty of time for that, but there are few players in the country more natural in pass coverage than he is right now. 

Stay tuned.

ALABAMA OFFERS JACKSON CARMAN

Speaking of Ohio stars that have added game-changing offers, 2018 Fairfield standout Jackson Carman added a big one to his list.

Carman, a four-star offensive tackle, also added a Louisville offer yesterday, though when its compared to the Crimson Tide it may not make major waves.

Ohio State, as they are for Riep, remains the favorite for Carman, who has been developing his relationship with the Buckeyes' staff in recent months, including new offensive line coach Greg Studrawa.

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