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.
ZEUS IS ON THE LOOSE
The top-rated running back in the Class of 2018, Laurinburg, North Carolina, Scotland County's Zamir White, was among the dozen-plus five-star recruits on the sidelines prior to Saturday's shellacking of Nebraska.
“It was great,” White told Eleven Warriors. “The atmosphere and how everyone made it feel like home [stood out]. Also, talking to coach [Urban] Meyer.”
This marked the first game day trip to Columbus for the 6-foot-1, 209-pounder, whose only other visit came back in June. White spent a lot of time during said trip with running backs coach Tony Alford, and the pair seemingly picked up right where they left off on Saturday. They spoke for about five minutes before the game, even sharing a few laughs.
“We have a great relationship and we talk every day,” White said.
The fourth-best junior prospect in the country, White currently holds scholarships from top programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Tennessee, among others. But he told me Ohio State is one of his top schools.
White has rushed for 1,182 and 16 touchdowns to help lead Scotland County to an undefeated regular season. The Fighting Scots have a first-round bye in the playoffs.
“Hopefully we can take it all the way,” White said.
THREE'S COMPANY
While conducting player interviews at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Wednesday evening, I spotted Westerville South five-star running back Jaelen Gill and his father talking with running backs coach Tony Alford, defensive coordinator Luke Fickell and freshman defensive tackle Jonathon Cooper on the indoor practice field.
The pair also attended Saturday's game against Nebraska.
“We haven't been up for [practice in] a while. Was just in the neighborhood,” Gill's father, Rod, told Eleven Warriors. “Coach Alford has been wanting us to come to practice all season. I had yesterday off, so it worked out.”
As mentioned earlier this week, the 6-foot-1, 182-pounder was walking around with a boot on his foot as he continues to recover from a fractured fibula he sustained in early September. Gill's father said his rehab is coming along nicely, and expects him to be fully healed in time to play baseball this spring.
Gill, who accounted for more than 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Wildcats last season, is considered the second-best all-purpose back and the No. 25 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds nearly two dozen offers from programs such as Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, USC and Virginia Tech.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have already secured a commitment from Seffner, Florida, Armwood four-star running back Brian Snead.
Now a lot can unfold in the next 15 months until National Signing Day 2018, but how the staff handles three of the country's top backs showing significant interest in Ohio State is certainly something to start paying attention to.
BAM BAM CAM
Indianapolis, Indiana, Lawrence Central three-star linebacker Cameron McGrone made the three-hour trip east for Saturday's game, as well.
“Columbus was like no other,” McGrone told Eleven Warriors. “The atmosphere was indescribable. The fans were ecstatic from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., and I'm glad I was able to go to the game.”
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder doesn't yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes, but has garnered a lot of attention since being named the co-most valuable linebacker at the Best of the Midwest combine back in February. He's recorded 52 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the Bears this season.
“[The coaches] talk to me pretty often, like once or twice a week,” McGrone said.
This was McGrone's first time on campus since he participated in a one-day camp two summers ago. He's also visited Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Notre Dame and Northwestern this season, but hopes to make it back to Columbus sooner rather than later.
CLOCK IS TICKING
Five-star running back Cam Akers was named Mississippi's Mr. Football on Thursday afternoon, as he completed 123-of-192 passes for 2,343 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 1,312 yards and 22 scores in leading Clinton to a 10-1 record this season.
MHSAA announced its six Mr. Football winners (one for each class):
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) November 10, 2016
Chris Smith
Don Ragsdale
D.D. Bowie
Myles Brennan
Jordan Murphy
Cam Akers
The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder is considered the second-best running back and the No. 6 prospect overall in the Class of 2017. He listed Ohio State in his Top 10 in late May alongside Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss and Tennessee, but Akers has yet to set an official visit to Columbus.
It is expected he'll be in attendance for the season finale against Michigan on Nov. 26, but it's looking less likely by the minute he'll end up in the Scarlet and Gray. Akers is also set to be in Ann Arbor on an official visit the week prior, but three trips to Tallahassee in the last six months certainly makes it seem as if things are trending toward the Seminoles.
LSU and Ole Miss are also among the favorites to land Akers at this point in time.
