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.
ON THE PROWL
Miami, Florida, Edison four-star safety Nadab Joseph may be committed to LSU, but that won't stop him from taking an unofficial visit to Ohio State in the near future.
Getting summer and Jr days planned @Corey_Bender @RyanBartow @Cassidy_Rob @HamiltonESPN pic.twitter.com/yHG33PgAyr
— Nadab Joseph (@nadabjoseph) February 10, 2017
“I like Ohio State's tradition and love the fact they are always in the race for the championship,” Joseph told Eleven Warriors. “Obviously, they send defensive backs to the next level, and playing in front of all those people [would be cool].”
The 6-foot-2, 173-pound Joseph is considered the 21st-best safety and No. 242 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He committed to the Tigers in June over offers from Bowling Green, Syracuse and Temple, but programs such as Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Wisconsin have offered in the meantime.
Joseph hasn't formed a relationship with Ohio State's staff, but hopes to catch their attention one way or another.
“I'm really kind of just letting people know that I do plan on taking all my visits and [my recruitment is] still kind of open,” Joseph said.
TAKE MY ADVICE, KID
I wondered aloud why I moved back to Columbus when I walked outside this morning and got punched in the face by the arctic cold, so it's only natural for a kid from the South to be hesitant about a potential move to Ohio.
Such concerns are one of the many reasons why former Ohio State linebacker and Georgia native Raekwon McMillan has formed a relationship with Saint Simons Island Frederica Academy four-star wide receiver Ja'shawn Sheffield.
Shouts out to the big bro @Kwon_daTRUTH
— Jashawn Sheffield (@Jashawnsheff) February 10, 2017
"[He's] just giving me advice on being from Georgia and moving to Ohio," Sheffield told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is considered the top-rated wideout in the Class of 2019. He has nearly 20 offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami and Michigan, but said Ohio State is among his top schools.
“I really like Ohio State,” Sheffield said. “I love the relationships I have with the staff. I really like the campus and the city, too. It just felt right.”
Frederica Academy Recruiting Coordinator Alex Mathis is planning a bus trip to Ohio State this spring with some of the top underclassmen in the state of Georgia, Sheffield included.
“If it doesn't work out for all of us to come, [coach Mathis, sophomore athlete Jaylin Simpson and I] are still coming in April.”
THE RICH GET RICHER
By now you know the NCAA Board of Directors and Collegiate Commissioners Association will vote this spring on a proposal that will dramatically change the recruiting process, which includes — but is not limited to — the introduction of an early signing period in December. But how, you ask, will the impending reform affect Ohio State?
According to ESPN's Jeremy Crabtree, the Buckeyes only stand to benefit.
Recruiting reform will happen with early visits, camp limitations and early signing period. Who gets biggest boost? https://t.co/YnHLONaxkk
— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) February 10, 2017
Crabtree noted Big Ten and northern ACC schools will get the biggest boost from early visits.
During the traditional official visit calendar schools usually bring prospects on campus for trips in November, December and January and every time that happens coaches are praying to the weather gods for sunshine and moderate temperatures. A snowstorm can wipe out an entire recruiting weekend and not allow prospects to make it to campus, or a cold snap while hosting players from Florida or Georgia could have those recruits hightailing it to a school in a warmer climate.
He also explained how elite schools can use an early signing period to their advantage, while Group of 5 or lower-level Power 5 programs sit idly.
Most coaches are in agreement that blueblood programs will be able to lock down players earlier than ever before and get a head start on next year's class, while Power 5 programs that don't recruit at a top-25 level will still be trying to finalize their classes in February. Recruiters also agree that these elite programs will be able to give some top players a "sign now or we'll move on" ultimatum in December.
For what it's worth, Ohio State had nine players enroll early from the Class of 2017. A December signing period is essentially the same thing, but now elite programs can give a prospect an ultimatum — sign or we'll move on and have another month to work with to find your replacement.
RISK WORTH TAKING
Pickerington North wide receiver Connor Gessells recently faced what many would say was the most difficult decision of his life — accept a scholarship offer from the Air Force Academy or leave thousands of dollars on the table and walk on at Ohio State.
For Gessells, though, it was a no-brainer.
Excited to say that I will be continuing my academic and athletic careers at THE Ohio State University!! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/P33UWtsuo7
— Connor Gessells (@c_gessells14) February 9, 2017
“I went on a visit there a couple weeks ago, and it just felt right,” Gessells told Eleven Warriors. “It felt like I was in the right place and somewhere I would want to spend the next four years of my life. Ohio State produces the best players, so I wanted to go somewhere that would have the best competition.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Gessells was not the most sought-after recruit in high school — “I'm not the fastest guy around” — but broke school records for receiving yards (1,094) and touchdowns (15) set by former Michigan tight end Jake Butt as a senior. He said his drive and competitiveness set him apart from others.
“[I'm going to] work my hardest and do my best to get better as a football player, help the team in any way and try to find a way on the field on Saturdays,” Gessells said.
