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.
WE STRONG THEN
Seeing how this weekend's matchup with Michigan is the only home game left on Ohio State's schedule this season, it's assumed the Buckeyes will get an official visit from Clinton, Mississippi, five-star running back Cam Akers.
But the 5-foot-11, 213-pounder has yet to announce his intentions to visit, and his high school football team is scheduled to play in the state semifinals on Friday night at 7 p.m. With The Game set for noon the following day, that's an awfully tight window to travel to Columbus.
If Akers does make the trip, Ohio State remains in the thick of things. But if he doesn't — and it's been reported by Scout.com's Chad Simmons he'll visit Ole Miss instead — it seemingly ends any hope of him playing for the Buckeyes.
Hearing 5-Star RB Cam Akers will not make it to #Michigan this weekend. Has visit to #HottyToddy Nov. 26. https://t.co/vhQaqd1Big pic.twitter.com/CU90k3aT1F
— Chad Simmons (@ChadSimmons_) November 17, 2016
The nation's second-ranked running back and the No. 6 prospect overall in the Class of 2017, Akers listed Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee in his Top 10 in late May.
And while it's long been considered a three-horse race between the Buckeyes, Rebels and Seminoles, three trips to Tallahassee in the last six months certainly makes it seems as if Akers will ultimately become the heir apparent to Dalvin Cook.
B1G NAME
Late Friday evening, Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb Academy three-star defensive tackle Rutger Reitmaier — an Oregon commit — told Eleven Warriors he received a scholarship offer from Ohio State.
Ohio State has offered Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb Academy three-star defensive tackle and Oregon commit Rutger Reitmaier.
— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) November 19, 2016
The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder is considered the 11th-best player in the state and the No. 23 defensive tackle in the Class of 2017, racking up 56 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Mustangs this season.
A U.S. Army All-American, Reitmaier picked the Ducks in June over offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and West Virginia, among others.
Reitmaier has repeatedly said he remains committed to Oregon, but will continue to look at other options. He recently attended Tennessee's game against Alabama and is currently wrapping up an official visit to Michigan, which offered in mid-October.
It should go without saying a lot has to happen for Reitmaier to be a part of Ohio State 2017 recruiting class. But if the Buckeyes strike out with four-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele, for one, things could certainly ramp up in a hurry.
CLIMBING THE WALL
I mentioned ahead of Ohio State's 17-16 win over Michigan State how important it has been for the Spartans to recruit Ohio well. With 28 players on their roster from the Buckeye State, it's been easy for head coach Mark Dantonio to play up the revenge factor.
It's worked, too, as the teams have split their last six meetings by a combined score of 130-128, and the Spartans have knocked the Buckeyes from national title contention in two of those years.
Michigan State will undoubtedly continue to poach recruits ignored or overlooked by Ohio State, and took the first step in doing so again on Saturday by offering Dayton Dunbar four-star wide receiver Joseph “JoJo” Scates. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder was on an unofficial visit to East Lansing this weekend.
Had a wonderful time in East Lansing & When I say I'm EXTREMELY blessed & Thankful to receive my 12th offer from MSU #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/FPSxkullZl
— #6...... (@ScatesJoseph) November 19, 2016
Scates is considered the ninth-best player in the state and the No. 29 wideout overall in the Class of 2018. He pegged Ohio State as one of his top schools last month alongside Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame and USC, but only the Hoosiers had offered at that point.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have extended offers to 10 other junior wide receivers, including Los Angeles, California, Hawkins five-star Jalen Hall; Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy four-star Brian Hightower; Yoakum, Texas, four-star Joshua Moore; Tulsa, Oklahoma, Union four-star C.J. Moore; and Huber Heights Wayne four-star L'Christian “Blue” Smith, among others.
