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.
LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION
With less than a week before National Signing Day, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson made their final pitch to Bellaire, Texas, Episcopal five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson during an in-home visit on Wednesday night.
#OhioState HC Urban Meyer in home visit with #ESPN300 5-star & @AllAmericaGame DT @RDMW6 (Marvin Wilson). Announcing #signingday @espn pic.twitter.com/SC9coSPRbe
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) January 26, 2017
The coaches also spent most of the afternoon at Wilson's high school, at which time they undoubtedly addressed any questions or concerns he had. Among them, Wilson told ESPN's Gerry Hamilton, is whether or not he can trust Meyer.
“It's a long ways from home to Columbus, Ohio,” Wilson said. “Right now, they have a leg up because my boys Jeff [Okudah] and Baron [Browning] are loving it up there. How are you going to take care of me and develop me, and how early can I make an impact?”
Oklahoma's Bob Stoops stopped by earlier in the week, while Florida State's Jimbo Fisher is expected on Thursday evening. LSU head coach Ed Orgeron already made his in-home visit in early December, so he'll send several assistant coaches in his place on Saturday.
That puts Meyer and Co. in an interesting spot, considering the odds-on favorite has the final visit before Wilson announces his college decision on Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Good thing the Buckeyes have Browning and Okudah to help make Wilson's decision a little more interesting...
I think we get one more Buckeye out of the Lone Star State #Shhhh
— Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) January 26, 2017
Of course there is a lot more recruiting going than can be seen on social media. But as long as the five-star early enrollees continue to paint a vivid picture of Wilson in the Scarlet and Gray, Ohio State had a chance to pull an unheard-of four of the top six players out of Texas.
THIS AGAIN?
Though signing day is set to be relatively drama-free from Ohio State's point of view, message board rumors have surfaced in recent weeks surrounding five-star offensive guard commit Wyatt Davis. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Davis has repeatedly shot down those rumors, yet his name continues to be linked to schools like Oregon, USC and Washington.
I guess it's easier to write things for clicks than it is to simply talk to the kid.
All the rumors about me not going to Ohio State are crazy I'm 100% a Buckeye!
— Wavy Dub (@wyattdavis53) January 26, 2017
While anything is possible when it comes to teenagers, Davis has not shown any signs of wavering since he committed to Ohio State in June. His only visit this fall was to Columbus, so maybe it's time to finally take Davis at his word.
FROM FRIEND TO FOE
Though Ohio State hoped he would reschedule his official visit for this coming weekend, Iowa City, Iowa, West Senior four-star wide receiver Oliver Martin will instead travel to Michigan. Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly convinced him to make the trip to Ann Arbor during an in-home visit on Wednesday night.
Source: #Michigan getting an official visit from 4-star WR Oliver Martin this weekend. Huge.
— Brandon Justice (@LandOfJustice) January 26, 2017
Ohio State — in search of a third receiver — first reached out to the 6-foot-1, 188-pound Martin last week, at which time head coach Urban Meyer offered him a scholarship. He was set to come to Columbus over the weekend, but had to cancel the trip amid unspecified flight issues.
This news, of course, essentially ends all hope of Ohio State landing Iowa's all-time leader in receptions. And while Martin could always elect not to fax in his letter of intent on signing day and take official visits in subsequent weeks, it's more likely his plane doesn't take off for the second-consecutive week.
WAS GOING TO HAPPEN EVENTUALLY
Given Ohio State's national approach to recruiting, the staff oftentimes waits to offer an in-state prospect until later in the process. It's understandable, too, to wait on a player like Cleveland Heights four-star Tyreke Smith, who just finished his first season of high school football.
But when your archrival comes into your backyard with arms wide open, you had better not wait any longer.
GOD IS GREAT!!!! Beyond blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University O-H pic.twitter.com/2Tzu7Y9QVZ
— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) January 26, 2017
"God bless," Smith told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Smith is considered the sixth-best defensive end and No. 175 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. And despite his lack of experience, Smith holds two dozen offers from programs such as Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas, UCLA and USC.
