The Hurry Up: 2017 Commits Overshadow Bishop Gorman Linebacker, Elite Corner Chooses South Carolina and Ohio State Legacy Dominates Crosstown Showdown

By Andrew Lind on August 28, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Palaie Gaoteote
Palaie Gaoteote
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The Hurry Up is your nightly dose of updates from the Ohio State football recruiting trail, keeping tabs on the latest from commits and targets from around the country.


702 TO THE 614

While most people watching last night's game between Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman and Cedar Hill, Texas, were enamored by the play of Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell — and rightfully so — the defense was as equally impressive. Anchored by another 2017 pledge in Haskell Garrett, the Gaels held the Longhorns offense to only eight first downs.

Add wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey — who committed to Ohio State last week but was sidelined on Saturday evening with an injury to his shoulder — to the mix, and the Buckeyes seem to be building a pipeline to the Mojave Desert.

Considering Bishop Gorman has won 40-consecutive games, I'd say that's a pretty good idea.

If the trend were to continue into the following recruiting cycle, another name to pay attention to is Palaie Gaoteote, whom Ohio State offered back in March. The linebacker was arguably the most dominant player on the field last night.

“The rangy junior covers a lot of ground and is a finisher when he gets near the football. He was a force as a pass rusher, in pursuit of ball carriers and seemed to flash at least once a possession.” - 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong

One of 17 offers for the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder, Ohio State has been tabbed as the leader the top overall player in the state of Nevada in the Class of 2018 by Crystal Ball prognostications.

THE OTHER USC

Four-star prospect Jamyest Williams announced his commitment to South Carolina prior to Loganville, Georgia, Grayson's nationally televised game against Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy on Saturday afternoon.

Williams, who is considered the No. 8 cornerback in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports Composite Rankings, listed Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee as his other finalists.

The Buckeyes recently accepted a commitment from four-star Amir Riep of Cincinnati Colerain and continue to be involved with five-star Darnay Holmes of Calabasas, California, and four-star Lamont Wade of Clairton, Pennsylvania.

It's unclear at this time if Ohio State would have room for Wade if he were to make the call, so Williams' pledge was never in the cards.

Williams scored the first touchdown of his Rams career on Saturday, showing why he was heavily recruited by blowing by the Ascenders defense, manned by Ohio State commits Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson. IMG got the last laugh, however, shutting Williams and the Grayson offense down the remainder of the game on it way to a 26-7 win.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

One local prospect to watch in the coming years is Pickerington Central defensive lineman DeWayne Carter Jr. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder is the son of former Ohio State receiver DeWayne Sr., who played for the Buckeyes from 1993-95.

There isn't yet a lot of film on Carter and he doesn't have a 247Sports recruiting profile, but a number of school have already taken notice of the 2019 prospect. He recorded a sack as time expired to seal Saturday's 20-14 win over Elder.

"I've received letters from Purdue and Ohio state, but it was just camp information," Carter told Eleven Warriors. "Kentucky has offered me."

There is a long way to go in Carter's recruitment, so it's possible he follows in his father's steps and plays for the Scarlet and Gray. He said, however, that his education is most the most important factor.

"It'd mean a lot to me [to get an Ohio State offer], because it's a free education and I get to do something I love," Carter said. "I'd appreciate it and any offer I receive because my goal is a free education."

I'm sure head coach Urban Meyer will be impressed, though, by his knowledge of the program.

“This summer, we had to do a summer reading assignment,” Carter told Rivals.com. “I read a book by Urban Meyer called 'Above the Line.' I just like their drive and their rules, like four-to-six and A-to-B every single play. [It's] just about giving maximum effort I love to give maximum effort on every play.”

BEST GAME OF THE WEEKEND 

In a follow up to this morning's article outlining the high school results of Ohio State's 2017 and 2018 commitments, Jacksonville, Florida, Trinity Christian Academy and four-star cornerback pledge Shaun Wade were in action today.

The game was the finale of the GEICO ESPN High School Football Kickoff, while featured 20 of the nation's top programs.

Trailing 20-12, Wade threw a touchdown pass on a wide receiver reverse with 32 seconds remaining to send it to overtime. Trinity Christian fell, however, after settling for a field goal in the extra time while Cocoa quarterback Bruce Judson, a former Ohio State commit, ran it in for the game winner.

The loss snapped the Conquerors 22-game winning streak. The Tigers, meanwhile, head to Las Vegas next week to take on Bishop Gorman on a high.

One of Wade's highlights included this 57-yard grab in the first half:

Wade's father, Randy, said earlier this month that his son would take official visits to Notre Dame on Sept. 17, when the Fighting Irish host Michigan State; Ohio State on Oct. 8, when the Buckeyes take on Indiana; and Michigan on Oct. 1, when the Wolverines battle Wisconsin. He is also set to visit Alabama, though the date is yet to be determined. 

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