The Hurry Up: Preparing for Big Weekend in Columbus, QB Situations Evolving, Rivals Five-Star Challenge Updates

By Jeremy Birmingham on June 10, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Lamont Wade at Ohio State last summer.
Lamont Wade
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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.


BIG WEEKEND FOR BUCKEYES

Ohio State has had three straight days of camp, but to this point, the big names haven't been present –– that changes tomorrow.

This weekend, the Buckeyes coaching staff will welcome a number of key targets in the 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes. Here are some of the biggest names to pay attention to this weekend:

Those are just a few of the big names that will show up at Ohio State this weekend, but none have as much relevance for the Buckeyes' as the trio of 2017 stars. Martell will make his second visit since March, Wade will make his second visit in a week and Hines will make his third visit overall to Ohio State. 

Wade is already committed to Ohio State and this trip will be more about his teammates who are coming to camp, but the weekend is a big one for Martell and Hines. While it's not expected that either will pull the trigger on an announcement this visit, there's absolutely zero doubt in my mind right now that Martell favors Ohio State and on the flip side, he's the 2017 quarterback the Buckeyes are chasing the hardest. He was originally slated to arrive Saturday but will instead arrive on Sunday.

Another key component to this weekend? Three of those six targets are from Texas. Tim Beck has done an absolutely incredible job getting Ohio State into the front for a number of Lone Star targets.

SPEAKING OF TEXAS STARS

Ohio State 2017 running back commitment J.K. Dobbins will make his second visit to Columbus next week.

"I'm leaving Tuesday," Dobbins told Eleven Warriors. "I'll be there until Thursday. I'm going by myself."

Dobbins isn't sure of his plans to participate in Tuesday's camp with the Buckeyes, but the value of the trip is a chance to spend a little time getting to know the staff and his future teammates. He's hoping that the wave of Texas visitors – starting this weekend – yields some positive results for the Scarlet and Gray.

"I talked to Jeff Okudah the other day," he said. "I'm hoping he and a few others join me."

MOND AND THE EVOLVING QUARTERBACK SITUATION

Part of the reason it's become so clear that Tate Martell is the primary option for Ohio State's continuing quarterback search is the increasing distance between another target – Kellen Mond – and the Buckeyes.

This weekend Mond will visit Texas A&M and it seems that the Aggies have overtaken the Buckeyes as the primary competition for Gus Malzahn and Auburn.

At one time – as recently as early May – it was the Buckeyes recruiting Mond the hardest.

"(Tim) Beck was at the school," Mond told Eleven Warriors. "Auburn, Ohio State and Texas A&M are recruiting me the hardest right now — Ohio State the hardest, though."

A decision for Mond was initially expected last week – and he still will make a decision in the near future – but it's interesting that he felt a trip to College Station was necessary before a choice was made.

As of today, it seems it's Auburn, A&M and then Ohio State for Mond and it seems the Buckeyes are ok with that.

KEY PLAYER UPDATES FROM RIVALS FIVE-STAR CHALLENGE IN ATLANTA

Today is check-in day for the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta and there's a ton of interesting and valuable recruiting-related videos coming out of the event. 

Everything you see below is from Rivals.

2017 defensive back Lamont Wade:

2017 wide receiver Trevon Grimes:

2017 defensive tackle Marvin Wilson:

2017 defensive tackle Darnell Ewell:

2017 wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones:

2017 defensive tackle Jordan Williams: 

2017 wide receiver James Robinson:

2017 offensive lineman Jedrick Wills:

 

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