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.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Contrary to reports stating he would visit Ole Miss this weekend, sources close to Eleven Warriors tell us Clinton, Mississippi, five-star running back Cam Akers made his official visit to Ohio State instead.
The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder played in the state semifinals on Friday night, a 38-31 win over Madison Central, and then caught a flight to Columbus Saturday morning. We're told he was not on the sidelines prior to the game because he arrived after kickoff.
The same can be said for both Kennedale, Texas, five-star linebacker Baron Browning and Calabasas, California, five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes. Browning will announce his college decision on Tuesday, so it was especially important to get him on campus this weekend, even in a reduced capacity.
Great tie around great people this weekend... pic.twitter.com/ZI8uyAKOKG
— Baron Browning (@baronbrwnng) November 27, 2016
ADDING ANOTHER ASCENDER?
Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy four-star cornerback Houston Griffith made his first trip to campus for Saturday's game.
What a game never seen anything like it #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/lddO93lrUg
— Houston Griffith (@___HG3) November 27, 2016
"The atmosphere ... I've never seen anything like it" Griffith told Eleven Warriors. "[I enjoyed] spending time with coach [Kerry] Coombs and being able to sit in the special teams, defensive and corners meetings."
The 6-foot, 180-pound Griffith — son of former Illinois legend and current Big Ten Network analyst Howard Griffith — is considered the seventh-best cornerback and the No. 42 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds 23 offers from programs such as Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Tennessee, but said Ohio State is definitely one of his top schools.
"They've made it clear that I am [a priority]," Griffith said.
LIFE-CHANGING DECISION
Huber Heights Wayne four-star wide receiver L'Christian "Blue" Smith has been a regular at Ohio State games this season, but said Saturday's topped all previous visits.
It was littt https://t.co/BNSE8xbefm
— BLUE SHANE SMITH (@bluesmith_) November 27, 2016
"I had a great time," Smith told Eleven Warriors. "The number of stars on campus and how electric the fans were [stood out]."
The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder is considered the third-best player in the state and the No. 98 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He currently holds double-digit scholarship offers from schools such as Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee.
"Going to sit down with my parents here soon to talk more about my future plans," Smith said. "There are still several schools I need to visit ... Michigan State, Penn State, Michigan, Alabama and Iowa."
Ohio State and Michigan making it real tough with this commitment
— BLUE SHANE SMITH (@bluesmith_) November 27, 2016
A two-sport athlete, Smith also has offers from and is considering playing basketball for Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse, Texas and UCLA.
"Right now, still 50/50," Smith said on which sport he wants to play in college. "Going to make a decision in late January."
TARGETING THE TIGHT END
Lindenhurst, New York, four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert returned to campus for the first time since Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp in July.
What a game.. #GoBucks @ The Ohio State University https://t.co/fWx5SRjixP
— Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) November 26, 2016
"It was a crazy atmosphere. There ground was shaking the whole time," Ruckert told Eleven Warriors. "I had an amazing time."
The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder is considered the third-best tight end and the No. 79 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He recently listed Ohio State in his Top 14 alongside Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, Rutgers, Tennessee, UCLA and Wisconsin.
