The Hurry Up: Commit Grows Tired of Speculation While UCLA Pledge Talks Interest in Ohio State

By Andrew Lind on February 13, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Chris Steele
Chris Steele
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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.

TAKE HIS WORD FOR IT

It's been only one week since Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco five-star safety Jaiden Woodbey committed to Ohio State, and he's already tired of hearing speculation about a possible flip to USC down the road.

The Trojans have long been considered the favorite to land Woodbey because his father, Donnell, played in Los Angeles in the early '90s. So, naturally, some are still concerned the Buckeyes will have a hard time holding onto his commitment.

That said, Woodbey is already trying to establish a lasting pipeline at the California power by recruiting his good friend and UCLA defensive back Chris Steele.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Steele is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, but there's no doubt he's one of the best prospects in the Class of 2019. He picked the Bruins over offers from Arizona, BYU, Nebraska, USC, Utah and Washington State.

“I grew up a UCLA fan,” Steele told Eleven Warriors. “One of my uncles is in the Hall of Fame at UCLA and he played in the NFL for a couple years. I just kind of grew up around UCLA. When they offered me, it was a special moment for me. It's just my dream school.”

That hasn't stopped Steele from entertaining offers from schools across the country.

“I'm committed, but a lot of schools have been trying to keep in contact with me,” Steele said. “My option is still open. Two years is a pretty early commitment. I don't know what can happen in two years, so I'm weighing out my options.”

Among them, playing at Ohio State. The Buckeyes haven't offered, but have started to build a relationship thanks to Woodbey.

“My dad is from Ohio, so that would play a big role. I grew up liking Ohio State, too. They are obviously a really good school with a lot of tradition,” Steele said. “I've been talking to [linebackers coach] Bill Davis quite a bit. Jaiden's been talking about me to coach, too. That's really all he's been talking about since he committed. He wants me to play with him. I have a lot of interest in Ohio State.”

Woodbey plans on making another trip to campus for the Spring Game in April, and Steele expects to tag along.

PICK HIM UP OR PLAY AGAINST HIM

Though he doesn't yet have an offer, Dayton Dunbar four-star running back Tavion Thomas told Eleven Warriors he'll visit Ohio State this Sunday.

“I like what they have going on,” Thomas said. “Coach [Greg] Studrawa is really cool and coach Tony [Alford] is very funny. We talk almost every day.”

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Thomas is considered the 16th-best running back and No. 311 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds a dozen offers from programs such as Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Things are currently trending toward the Badgers, but the Buckeyes would certainly enter the mix if Brian Snead reopens his recruitment or Jaelen Gill inexplicably leaves the state or opts to play another position at the next level.

Thomas, who rushed for 1,606 yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to being named first-team all-state last season, won't pay them any mind, though.

“I don't really think about the other running backs,” Thomas said. “I just focus on myself and get ready to compete. I just want to be one of the best. Just have to do more work and focus more. Be humble and everything will come.”

LIVING YOUR DREAM

Though he had scholarship offers from Davidson and Dayton, Hudson outside linebacker Alex Beck recently accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at Ohio State. 

“It was an opportunity to play for the best football program in the country and it was a school I always dreamed I'd play for,” Beck told Eleven Warriors.

The 6-foot-2, 201-pound Beck recorded 116 tackles, 17 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and three forced fumbles to help the Explorers to the state semifinals. 

Beck hopes to one day earn a scholarship and graduate with a business degree. But he thinks his speed and versatility in both the pass rush and in coverage will give him a chance at playing time. 

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