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.
OKUDAH, BROWNING COMPLETE OHIO STATE VISIT
So, the weekend has passed and the two-day visit to Ohio State for Texas five-stars Jeffrey Okudah and Baron Browning has concluded. It was the second trip to Columbus for Okudah, the country's top-ranked safety and the first ever visit for Browning, the nation's second-ranked outside linebacker.
The pair have been on an airplane for the last few hours, but I was able to talk briefly to each, though nothing earth-shattering came out of those talks. The visit is still sinking in but the biggest "news" is that Browning intends to return this summer with his parents, which would be a major win for the Buckeyes. One visit is big, two visits – on your own dime in a two-month stretch? – that's huge.
With Okudah, it's more of the same. The Buckeyes have been the leader for months and the combination of Tim Beck and Chris Ash/Greg Schiano – with increasing dashes of Urban Meyer – has proved to be a great recipe for Ohio State so far. Okudah and Shaun Wade are the two biggest defensive back targets on the board and they've shown the Grand Prairie star a path to get on the field early and in multiple positions in the defensive backfield.
So, what's next?
There's actually a very good chance that Okudah gets back to Ohio State again before Browning does, and I'm talking like three weeks from now. If that visit happens, I'd suggest a commitment to the Buckeyes could potentially come with it, especially if he's able to make it with some key family members.
Right now, I've got a crystal ball in for Okudah to Ohio State, but there's no reason to make that kind of prediction for Browning...yet. He'll see a few of his top choices this summer, including Notre Dame, and if he gets back to the Buckeyes' campus like he plans to then we could be looking at a true Texas two-step.
OHIO STATE LEADING FOR UTAH DEFENSIVE TACKLE?
Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson, Sr. have proven to be a formidable duo when it comes to coaching and recruiting along the defensive line, and their efforts reportedly have them at the top of the list for another four-star defensive tackle.
Ohio State leading for a top-75 DL out West https://t.co/DQyEaepLPU
— Luke Stampini (@LukeStampini) May 22, 2016
The player in question is Utah's Jay Tufele, a 6-foot-3, 288-pounder from South Jordan, the country's fourth-ranked defensive tackle. Ohio State being at the top of his list – reported today during The Opening regionals in Oakland, at which Tufele earned an invite to Oregon in July – is a bit of a surprise though Meyer's reputation in Utah is certainly excellent after his time in charge of the Utes.
Jay Tufele may just be the best DT in the country. pic.twitter.com/pgrp61Xu7D
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) May 22, 2016
Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage are committed but, as we've chronicled in recent weeks, the Buckeyes are actively pursuing a third. They've offered four different 2017 defensive tackles in the past two weeks, but each of them would pale in comparison to Tufele if Ohio State could pull off the upset.
Oregon, Notre Dame, BYU, Michigan and others are all heavily involved with Utah's top-ranked player as well. He's expected to make a visit to Columbus this summer.
MALIK VANN SHIFTING HIS STANCE ON PLAYING DEFENSIVE LINE
In early April, following a spring practice visit to Ohio State, four-star 2018 prospect Malik Vann told 11W that the Buckeyes were recruiting him a little differently than other schools near the top of his list.
"They want me to play defensive line –– add weight," Vann said. "I'm a linebacker by design. I'm 240 (pounds) they'd like to see 255-260."
At the time, the Fairfield, Ohio standout was not entirely into the idea and told us he wanted to be recruited at linebacker, but it appears his tune is changing, at least a little bit.
"I've been getting defensive end offers," Vann told Eleven Warriors. "But some schools would want me as their hybrid-type. Rush the passer, and drop back in coverage. So as long as I'm playing, position isn't a huge concern."
To get more prepared for college, Vann has been working on improving his game by watching some of the NFL's best at linebacker and defensive line.
"I like watching Vonn Miller, Kahlil Mack, Geno Atkins, guys like that," Vann said. "I've tried to focus on my pass-rush moves to help better the transition to end. My confidence there keeps growing, but there is a lot still that needs to be improved."
The Buckeyes are looking forward to seeing the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder this summer at camp to see exactly where he fits into their system. He's making a visit to Notre Dame next month – and the Irish have offered – and will come to Ohio State to work one-on-one with Larry Johnson, Sr. at least once.
JOSH MYERS READY TO BE A SLOB
Miamisburg, Ohio's Josh Myers has been committed to Ohio State for so long that he already feels like he's a member of The Slobs. He's pretty happy about it.
From the Dayton Daily News:
Q: What do think of the OSU offensive line’s nickname The Slobs?
A: That’s awesome. I can’t wait to be a Slob. Technically, you could probably say I already am a Slob.
The five-star prospect also talked about the benefits and challenges of being a 6-foot-6, 305-pound teenager.
Q: What do you like about being big?
A: Obviously without being as big as I am I wouldn’t be sitting in this room today. And also you can eat a lot of food, and that is OK with me.
Q: What are the challenges of being big?
A: Wow, I’ve never really been asked that. There’s not really a whole lot of things I dislike about it. People look at you and are like, ‘Goodness, that’s a large man.’ But you get used to that. I do have to order online all my shoes (size 15 or 16) and I have to wait for them. I don’t like that. And then I have to shop at Destination XL (near the Dayton Mall) and buy big-people clothes. I like those stores though.
Ohio State is eager to get Myers on campus this coming January, especially new offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, who will be charged with shaping his career in Columbus. Myers had such a solid and established relationship with Ed Warinner and others that he was worried about the transition to "Coach Stud" initially.
Q: What are your impressions of new offensive line coach Greg Studrawa?
A: He’s awesome. I was kind of worried at first because I had such a good relationship before with everyone they had on the staff. But once I finally got to meet him and after sitting down with him for five minutes it felt like I had known him forever. He’s just such an easy guy to talk to, like he’s part of the family.
Expect to see this future Slob on campus with the Buckeyes a lot this summer as he tries to put himself into a position for early playing time in 2017.
