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.
OUT OF NOWHERE
Last night, a flurry of 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions came in for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, American Heritage four-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield in favor of Ohio State.
It was an interesting turn of events given the fact that LSU has long been considered the favorite in his recruitment while the Buckeyes already hold a commitment from Georgia four-star Brenton Cox and remain among the favorites for Pennsylvania five-star Micah Parsons and Cleveland Heights four-star Tyreke Smith. But after talking with sources close to the program, I followed suit with my own prediction late Wednesday evening.
Why?
Well, the 6-foot-2, 221-pound Chatfield has coveted an offer from the Buckeyes for a while, and he finally earned one when defensive line coach Larry Johnson and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs saw him in person during the Patriots' intrasquad scrimmage last week. That, plus his trip to Columbus in mid-April, now has Ohio State in the lead to land his pledge — maybe even in the coming days.
Naturally, you may wonder how it affects Parsons or Smith. It doesn't.
Chatfield projects to play a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role, while the two others are better suited to play with their hand in the dirt. Smith may even move inside as a three-technique tackle down the road if he signs with the Buckeyes.
If anything, Cincinnati Winton Woods' Christopher Oats may end up being the odd man out.
I suggest you get your #BOOM.gifs ready.
THE FOUNDATION IS THERE
Ohio State already holds a commitment from one of the nation's premier defensive tackles in IMG Academy five-star Taron Vincent, but the position still remains one of the staff's top priorities in the current recruiting cycle.
There are still number of talented options on the table, including Jackson, Tennessee, North Side four-star Greg Emerson, who included the Buckeyes in his Top 6 on Thursday afternoon alongside Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss, Oregon and Tennessee.
Top 6 pic.twitter.com/RaMr68dkMU
— Greg Emerson/G.mamba (@sneakerhad_greg) June 1, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 296-pound Emerson is considered the sixth-best defensive tackle and No. 71 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He earned an offer from defensive line coach Larry Johnson at Friday Night Lights last July.
“He pulled up my film, showed me what to work on and he told me I have an offer,” Emerson told Eleven Warriors. “That was an offer I was hoping to get. I was happy.”
Of course, Emerson's potential pledge hinges on a number of different factors, first and foremost a return trip to Columbus this summer or fall.
NO ROOM LEFT
Clearwater, Florida, Calvary Christian four-star safety Amari Burney committed to Florida on Thursday morning over finalists Ohio State and Virginia Tech. He made his announcement at his high school, surrounded by family on what would have been his late grandfather's 78th birthday.
— Amari Burney (@amari_burney) June 1, 2017
“It's just the family feeling,” Burney told Scout.com. “My parents are real good with the coaches, and you can see that the coaches will take care of me. They will also build me into the man I want to be and send me to the league ready and prepared.”
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Burney is considered the 11th-best safety and No. 110 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, as he recorded 91 tackles, 21 pass break ups, five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions for Clearwater Central Catholic last season. He transferred schools in early January.
Burney had been to Columbus twice since Ohio State offered him a scholarship last July, most recently for the Spring Game in mid-April. Head coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano led the charge for his pledge, but with four-star safeties Jaiden Woodbey and Josh Proctor already in the fold, it didn't seem like there was any room left for Burney — no matter how much he said he wasn't afraid of the competition.
Florida, based on its proximity, became the overwhelming favorite to land Burney once Proctor pledged his services to the Buckeyes. He'll have a chance to play both sides of the ball for the Gators, his childhood favorite team.
“[In] the two years since coach [Jim McElwain] has been there, they won 10 games and keep playing Alabama in the SEC Championship,” Burney said. “I think they can get beat Alabama if they just get a couple more key players in this recruiting class.”
On a more personal note, I really enjoyed getting to know Burney. He was one of the most respectful young men I've spoken with, and I wish him the best of luck in Gainesville. And he's certainly going to need it against the Crimson Tide.
TEXAS TOM IS TRENDING
Tom Herman is finally hitting his stride at Texas.
Just two weeks after he included Ohio State in his Top 15, Arp, Texas, four-star safety DeMarvion Overshown committed to the Longhorns.
First I want to thank god and my family for helping me make this decision.....I have officially committed to UT #revolution18 pic.twitter.com/bihLfhrQFj
— DeMarvion Overshown (@dee_overshown6) June 1, 2017
“To be honest, I’ve been talking to guys committed and guys that are going to commit, and I felt like this was the right time for me to help get this train rolling,” Overshown told 247Sports. “I always dreamed of playing for Texas, and my family are huge Texas fans.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Overshown is considered the 11th-best safety and No. 109 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, as he recorded 173 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and three interceptions to help the Tigers to the state semifinals last season. He becomes the second prospect from East Texas to pledge his services to the Longhorns in as many days, the other being four-star running back Keaontay Ingram, who also had an offer from the Buckeyes.
Angelton five-star safety B.J. Foster, who recently included Ohio State in his Top 5, is also expected to commit to Texas next week, further solidifying their fifth-ranked recruiting class.
“It’s going to be special,” Overshown said. “With what we got coming in the next few days, it’s going to be a special class. This new coaching staff is off to an amazing start.”
I, for one, hope Herman turns things around at Texas. And though it might hurt the Buckeyes' chances with top prospects in the Lone Star State moving forward, it'll certainly make that two-game series with the Longhorns in 2022 and 2023 a lot more enticing.
NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO BEGIN WITH
Similarly, Cypress, Texas, Cy Springs four-star safety Leon O'Neal had some initial interest in Ohio State when the staff offered him a scholarship in early February, calling the program “one of those dream schools everybody wants [an offer from].” But all that said, he trimmed his list to seven on Thursday morning and the Buckeyes were nowhere to be found.
Soon There Would Only Be One God Bess #WakeEmUp Top 7 pic.twitter.com/Rm8ts8chNg
— LeonNumbaNine#9 (@WakeEmUp9) June 1, 2017
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound O'Neal is considered the 6th-best safety and No. 66 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. As you can see, he listed Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M as his finalists.
The Longhorns were once considered the favorite in his recruitment, but Overshown's commitment and Foster's looming pledge doesn't leave any room left in Austin. The Aggies, meanwhile, are now expected to land O'Neal sometime this summer.
“I think, deep down, I'm an SEC guy,” he recently told Gridiron Now.
