We are still hours away from the true work at The Opening but a strong Ohio State flavor remains prevalent at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
As it did a day earlier, the country's premier recruiting camp held a brief practice for some of the nation's top recruits Thursday. More offensive talent arrived at Nike's campus as well, including top Ohio State running back target Cam Akers. The nation's second-ranked rusher showed up wearing a hat that will surely please Buckeye fans.
Five-star RB Cam Akers here at @TheOpening wearing #Buckeyes gear: https://t.co/C04EyrAu8P pic.twitter.com/xL5urLpsZc
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) July 7, 2016
Additionally, Akers told scout.com ($) he might make his college choice before the Army All-American, his original plan.
However, another one of the best players still on Ohio State's wish list chose to represent another Big Ten school when he made the trip west.
ESPN300 Lamont Wade talks upcoming visits and his commitment date. Sporting a Penn State... https://t.co/b8Zlwsw3UC pic.twitter.com/paHDXSmKen
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) July 7, 2016
A highly touted cornerback from Clairton, Pennsylvania, Lamont Wade is considering Penn State, Tennessee and many others in addition to the Buckeyes.
Unsurprisingly, Ohio State quarterback commit Tate Martell led the way in passing drills with the wide receivers and tight ends that arrived Wednesday. According to the Landof10.com's Jeremy Birmingham, Martell looked much more at ease Thursday than he did the first day of practice and continued to whip the ball around.
And wouldn't you know it? The future Buckeye quarterback actually has bigger hands than one of his potential future teammates, Trevon Grimes, even though he gives up at least four inches to the star wide receiver.
He is under 6'0, but No. 1 QB Tate Martell's hands are bigger than yours... https://t.co/2E8v5KGiB4 pic.twitter.com/RdP0Syknwx
— Greg Powers (@GPowersScout) July 7, 2016
Another target Martell looks to convince to follow him to Columbus is 7-on-7 go-to receiver Tyjon Lindsey. The nation's fourth-ranked player at his position spoke briefly with Andrew Nemac of The Oregonian on Thursday, who listed the Buckeyes as one of his five leaders in addition to Oregon, Nebraska, Alabama and Auburn.
Here is a bit from the interview from Lindsey and what he said about Ohio State:
"I've been thinking about Ohio State since they offered me," Lindsey said. "They've been one of my leaders since they offered me. When (Martell) was still committed to Texas A&M, Ohio State was still (one of my) leaders, so it wasn't a big factor... him being committed anywhere. It's my decision all along, but him being there is great."
Lindsey added he "can't wait" for his Aug. 22 commitment date and plans to take visits to Alabama and Auburn next week.
Shaun Wade, the five-star cornerback committed to Ohio State is expected to arrive at The Opening later this weekend. In the meantime, he is throwing passes like this at Nike's EYBL Peach Jam in South Carolina:
notbad.jpeg.
Here are videos and photos of other Ohio State commits and targets that checked in Thursday: safety Jeffrey Okudah, running back J.K. Dobbins and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis.
Oh, and Ezekiel Elliott showed up and posed for a picture with Grimes, which certainly can't be a bad thing for Ohio State.
#Buckeynation Guess who I just ran into #Zekee #HeroInTheHalfShirt pic.twitter.com/9gOAzD6wpq
— GrimeTime (@TrevonGrimes7) July 7, 2016
Stick with Eleven Warriors as weekend workouts unfold, starting Friday around 1 p.m. ET.
