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.
PACKAGE DEAL
As you know by now, Ohio State landed a commitment on Tuesday night from Stockbridge, Georgia, four-star defensive end Brenton Cox. He picked the Buckeyes over long-time favorite Georgia, a decision which essentially came down to playing for his home-state team or for defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
It wasn't an easy decision, as Cox publicly admitted he went back and forth between the two schools. But it was Johnson's track record of putting defensive linemen into the National Football League that sealed the deal for Ohio State.
As with any out-of-state prospects, there will be questions surrounding his recruitment, and the Bulldogs will continue to recruit him heavily — the staff can't afford to just give up with seven of the Top 10 prospects set to leave the state. But rest assured, Cox has reportedly said he is done with the recruiting process.
Now he might take an official visit to Athens this fall with his teammate, four-star athlete Marquez Ezzard. But much like Jalyn Holmes and Raekwon McMillan did on a visit to Clemson, the two might be talking about a future together in Columbus instead of paying attention to what's going on in front of them.
With Cox's commitment, Ohio State becomes a legitimate threat to land Ezzard, too. The two have talked at length about playing together in college, and Ohio State will have room. Not to mention, beyond St. Louis' Kamryn Babb, Houston's Brennan Eagles and Tulsa's C.J. Moore, this year's crop of wideouts doesn't seem to be as talented in year's past.
RIPE FOR THE PICKING
Cox could eventually be paired with a former teammate, too, as Lithonia Miller Grove three-star defensive end Caleb Tannor included Ohio State in his Top 10 on Tuesday night alongside Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
With long thought I have decided to narrow my decision down to a top 10 ......(no order) @ChadSimmons_ @DaGroveFootball @Keith247Sports pic.twitter.com/EWaDljHlxV
— Caleb Tannor 21 (@cvleb10) April 26, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Tannor is considered the No. 23 weak-side defensive end and No. 432 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, as he led the Wolverines with 54 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and four-sacks last season. He doesn't yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes, but could be on the verge of earning one with the staff set to visit his high school in the near future.
As mentioned, Cox played opposite Tanner on defensive line for two seasons before he transferred to Stockbridge last fall.
TRAVELING TONY
Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford offered a scholarship late Tuesday evening to Charlotte, North Carolina, Harding four-star running back Quavaris Crouch.
As mentioned in yesterday's edition of The Hurry Up, coaches cannot have contact with prospects, but can watch them practice or compete in other athletic events and talk with their coaches.
Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Ohio state it's truly amazing the things you can achieve with JESUS on your side pic.twitter.com/qzLB1g2ew0
— Quavaris Crouch (@CrouchQuavaris) April 25, 2017
The 6-foot-2, 224-pound Crouch is considered the third-best running back and No. 29 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, having rushed for 1,224 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Rams last season. He holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech, though the Tigers are recruiting him as a defensive back.
Ohio State already holds commitments from running backs Jaelen Gill and Brian Snead and will look to add at least one more in the Class of 2018. With Mike Weber eligible to enter the NFL Draft next year and not a whole lot of depth behind him, the position also need be a priority in 2019, which is why the Buckeyes have now offered three of the top five running backs in that class.
ON TO THE NEXT STOP
Alford moved on to Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, where he also extended a scholarship offer to Franklin Road Academy four-star wide receiver Lance Wilhoite.
Blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/vTYWun69EG
— Lance Wilhoite6 (@swaggylance) April 26, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 169-pound Wilhoite is considered the 23rd-best wideout and No. 146 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as hauling in 31 receptions for 452 yards and four touchdowns in his brief varsity career. He holds a dozen offers from programs such as Cincinnati, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The wide receiver position will also be a priority in 2019, which is why the Buckeyes already have offers out to seven other wideouts, including four-stars Ja'shawn Sheffield, Dominick Blaylock and Trey Knox. Coincidently, Alford is also expected to stop by Blackman High School in Nashville this week to check on Knox and 2018 three-star running back Master Teague III.
