The Hurry Up: Running Back Heads Home Without Committing, Ohio State Offers Three-Star Offensive Tackle and Staff Expresses Interest in Clemson Transfer

By Andrew Lind on February 20, 2017 at 7:15 pm
John Campbell
John Campbell
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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.

BROKEN FUSE

While Tavion Thomas left Columbus this weekend with an offer in hand, Iverson Clement's unofficial visit didn't quite go as expected.

All signs pointed toward the four-star athlete from Mount Holly, New Jersey, Rancocas Valley Regional committing to Ohio State on Saturday, but it's clear the staff would like more time to figure out the running back situation before accepting his pledge. Especially with its new-found interest in Thomas.

The Buckeyes already hold a commitment from four-star Brian Snead and Westerville South's Jaelen Gill is arguably the staff's top priority. That leaves many to wonder how many running backs they'll take in the 2018 recruiting class.

It's entirely possible they land all four, but Clement and Gill have similar skill sets, as do Snead and Thomas. That puts Ohio State in an interesting predicament: take his pledge now and figure it out later or let things unfold over the next few months?

Clement has repeatedly called Ohio State his dream school, so he's certain to wait it out in the meantime.

MOVING UP THE BOARD

With Palaie Gaoteote's abrupt decision to commit to USC on Sunday evening, Denver, Colorado, Mullen four-star outside linebacker Adrian Jackson has arguably become Ohio State's top priority at the position. And with that said, Jackson also expects to make a decision this spring.

"I have started narrowing down my schools, but I haven't made a set list yet," Jackson told Eleven Warriors.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder Jackson is considered the top player in the state and the ninth-best outside linebacker in the Class of 2018. He holds offers from Colorado, Michigan State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, USC, Utah and Wisconsin, but said Ohio State was his following an unofficial visit in November.

"Ohio State is at the top of my list, while other schools stand behind," Jackson said. "The program is really organized. Everything they do is precise. They have that family atmosphere. They are always talking about brotherhood, and I like that."

On Sunday, Jackson committed to play in the Under Armour All-America Game in January 2018.

KING OF THE TRENCH

Ohio State offered a scholarship late Sunday night to Orlando, Florida, Dr. Phillips three-star offensive tackle John Campbell.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Campbell is considered the 27th-best offensive tackle and No. 333 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds 30 offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee, but the Gators are presumed to be the favorite.

Campbell helped the Panthers rack up more than 4,500 yards of total offense on their way to the state championship game last season.

Don't forget a complete list of offers given out by Ohio State can be found here.

SHOULD PROBABLY OFFER HIS TWIN, TOO

The Buckeyes also offered a scholarship of Monday afternoon to Jersey City, New Jersey four-star defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola.

The 6-foot-3, 283-pound Ademilola is considered the 21st-best defensive tackle and No. 242 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He and his twin, Justin, committed to Notre Dame in June over offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan and UCLA.

Ademilola recorded 86 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss,11.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and a recovered another for the Marauders last season.

LOOKING FOR DEPTH

In the three days since Clemson defensive tackle Scott Pagano announced his intentions to transfer from the program, more than 30 teams have expressed interest in the graduate transfer.

From 247Sports' Ryan Bartow:

That group includes LSU, Washington, Arizona State, Kentucky, Charlotte, North Carolina, Cal, Temple, Oklahoma State, FIU, FAU, East Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Nebraska, Maryland, Ole Miss, Utah State, Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M, Oregon, USC, Louisville, Oklahoma, Memphis, Ohio State, Baylor, Notre Dame, SMU, Purdue and Hawai'i.

Pagano, who graduated in December, recorded 93 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks in three seasons with the Tigers. He's a former four-star recruit from Honolulu, so most assume he'll look to finish his career on the West Coast.

Nevertheless, it's interesting to hear Ohio State reached out to Pagano while still over the scholarship limit.

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