The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s events with an ear on the ground for what’s next.
KAINDOH FADING, YOUNG RISING?
The Buckeyes don't have a glaring need at defensive end, so it's likely that Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson may elect to bring in just one at the position. As we sit 10 months from signing day, the focus appears to be on two of the nation's top edge-rushers. Both recruitments may very well come down to Ohio State and Maryland.
Recently, the Buckeyes have been rumored to be surging for five-star Josh Kaindoh; an IMG Academy standout who originally hails from Essex, Maryland. Ohio State's alleged rise to the top of the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder's list was a bit of a strange one considering Kaindoh hasn't been to Columbus in close to a year.
Earlier Sunday, 247sports' Steve Wiltfong reported ($) that an announcement could come some time next week, and the decision would likely come down to Maryland, Penn State, and Notre Dame. Kaindoh is coming off a trip to South Bend but the general consensus seems to be that the Terps are in the driver's seat.
So what does it mean for the Buckeyes? It likely means that the heat will be turned up even more on DeMatha Catholic's Chase Young. While Kaindoh has the size to potentially move inside down the road, Young – who checks in at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds – looks to be more of a pure defensive end. The four-star was in Columbus earlier this month and was considering a return trip for this weekend's spring game but ended up making the 10-minute trip to Maryland's campus instead.
The aforementioned Steve Wiltfong put in a crystal ball pick in the Buckeyes' favor on Saturday, though that did come at a time when he was still expected to make the trip to Columbus. Young currently checks in as the No. 53 prospect in America. Earlier Sunday he put on quite a showing at the Washington D.C. camp and earned an invite to The Opening.
Young has raved about his relationship with Larry Johnson in recent interviews, and we all know how big of a factor "comfort and relationships" are in these instances. He currently claims no leader and plans to check out the Crimson Tide in the near future.
DeMatha DE Chase Young too much for new Maryland commit Jordan McNair to handle on the edge. pic.twitter.com/je15P3xCfd
— Sean Fitz (@seanfitz247) April 17, 2016
Fellow Maryland prospect Jordan McNair had his hands full with Young on Sunday, which brings us to....
TERPS SNAG ANOTHER BUCKEYE TARGET
With two of the nation's top offensive tackles already committed, the Buckeyes can turn their focus to the interior part of the line, where they will look at add at least one signee. Names like Robert Hainsey, Jordan McNair, Michael Miranda, and Joel Honigford have all been mentioned as possibilities, though only Hainsey and McNair currently hold Buckeye offers.
Saturday, the Terrapins received a commitment from Jordan McNair, the nation's 32nd-ranked offensive tackle. While the Buckeyes were recruiting the four-star as more a guard, the staff had told the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder that he was someone who could play multiple positions across the line. McNair was in Columbus back in late January for Ohio State's junior day event, and he had been planning a return trip for the spring.
The recent commitments from Cam Spence and Jordan McNair, along with the Kaindoh news, have Maryland fans across America thumping their chests much like they were doing six months ago when Dwayne Haskins and Keandre Jones were a part of their 2016 class.
What a time to be alive.
BUCKEYES HOST BAYLOR QUARTERBACK PLEDGE
IMG Academy's Kellen Mond has been committed to Baylor for nearly a year now. Originally from San Antonio, Mond is the nation's fifth-ranked dual-threat quarterback. As of Sunday evening, Ohio State has yet to extend and offer, but the four-star was getting a lot of attention from Urban Meyer on Saturday. He's now planning a return trip for this summer.
— KELLEN ^^ (@TheKellenMond) April 16, 2016
The Buckeyes already have one quarterback in the fold in Akron Hoban's Danny Clark, but they've now hosted a pair of 2017 signal-callers over the last month. Tate Martell was in town in late March at the same time Clark was spotted in East Lansing.
With a number of 2017 commits in attendance on Saturday, it is worth noting that Clark was not seen during the spring game festivities.
RIEP CANCELS LSU TRIP, RETURNS TO COLUMBUS
Four-star Cincinnati Colerain defensive back Amir Riep was an expected visitor for LSU's spring game this weekend, but his plans got changed and he found himself back in Columbus yet again.
Had a great time at The Ohio State University spring game! pic.twitter.com/ffNHxUBN0G
— Amir Riep (@Riep_Amir) April 16, 2016
Riep has traveled far and wide since his recruitment took off earlier this year, but he's been a regular visitor at Ohio State's campus this spring. He is tentatively scheduled to check out Oregon and Michigan State in the coming weeks. The Spartans were thought to be at the top of his list before Ohio State came calling in January.
No decision date has been set, but it is expected to happen sometime this summer. The Buckeyes remain the heavy favorite.
DARNELL EWELL STILL HAS BUCKEYES ON TOP
The Rivals.com Camp Series was in Charlotte Sunday and one of the Buckeyes' top remaining defensive tackle targets was also in attendance. Norfolk, Virginia's Darnell Ewell (Lake Taylor) has heard a lot of great things about Ohio State. His friend and former teammate Wayne Davis signed with Ohio State back in February. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder released his top five on Sunday.
Now that is a grown-man voice, eh? The Buckeyes have two defensive tackles already committed in Jerron Cage and Haskell Garrett, but it definitely appears that they are looking to add one more. Ewell, the nation's 10th-ranked defensive tackle, was in Columbus this past September, tagging along with Wayne Davis as they were able to catch up with another former Lake Taylor star – Jalyn Holmes. Two weeks ago we touched on him a bit, including his plans to return to Columbus this June.
The Buckeyes are also in the hunt for Marvin Wilson, the nation's top-ranked tackle, as well as Aubrey Solomon and Fred Hansard.
Just a friendly reminder that the Lord of Whispers is taking a much-deserved vacation this week. We will have a mid-week Hurry Up – likely on Wednesday – and then your regularly scheduled programming will return next Sunday.
Enjoy your time in South Florida, Birm. Please be safe and be on the lookout for the thousands of blacktip sharks that have been spotted along the coastline.
