The Hurry Up: Local Linebacker Commits to Oklahoma While Ohio State Hands Out Several New Offers

IT'S A TWO-WAY STREET

St. Francis De Sales three-star linebacker Brian Asamoah was among the dozens of prospects invited by Ohio State to attend Saturday's game against Oklahoma. After all, the Buckeyes could take as many as five players at his position in the current recruiting cycle.

But after growing tired of waiting for an offer from Ohio State, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Asamoah committed to the Sooners on Thursday night over schools like Cincinnati, Michigan, Penn State, Pittsburgh and a host of others. He is now the second Ohioan to commit to Oklahoma this summer, joining Dayton Dunbar three-star running back Tavion Thomas, and will no longer be on the sidelines Saturday.

My story continues... pic.twitter.com/9ZxaPI318c

— Brian Asamoah (@b_moah211) September 8, 2017

The timing of Asamoah's announcement is rather fitting, though, as the Sooners' staff will be able to watch him play in person this evening. His pledge gives them a perceived win nationally in one of the country's most talent-rich states, too.

It also works hand-in-hand with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer being asked earlier this week if he keeps tabs on which programs are raiding the state for talent.

“We monitor who comes in the state," Meyer said. “We monitor how well the players do. We track their whole careers. For example, whatever happened to this guy? I need to know where and why if we did make mistakes. We have made some mistakes.”

Meyer has spoken at length about his desire to watch most in-state prospects play their senior year of high school before offering them a scholarship. Of course, the combination of an early signing period and Ohio State's national approach to recruiting doesn't give him the luxury of playing the waiting game anymore.

In the past, the staff could circle back to a player like Asamoah and land his pledge later in the process. 

“I'd like to take all our players from Ohio, but you also got to take the best players,” Meyer said. “We do our best to evaluate and project, as well, because we've had incredible players here that were projections.”

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, recruits are wising up to that strategy. Asamoah told Eleven Warriors the fact he wasn't made a priority rubbed him the wrong way from the beginning of the process.

"I have to engage the conversation every time," he said earlier this week. "I'm just using them the way they use me, going to every game I want, etc."

Now, Asamoah is just focused on rooting his future team to victory on Saturday night against the team he once dreamed of playing for.

KEEPING PACE

On the flip side of that, Ohio State has to get in the game early with out-of-state recruits or risk falling behind those who do. That's why the staff offered a scholarship on Thursday night to Grand Rapids, Michigan, East Kentwood four-star offensive tackle Logan Brown.

Blessed to say I've received an offer from The Ohio State University!!! Go Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/4hRwHkHQKu

— Logan Brown (@loganbrown53) September 7, 2017

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Brown is considered the seventh-best offensive tackle and No. 76 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He already holds 17 additional offers from programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and a Wisconsin. 

Brown, who is set to attend his first Ohio State game on Saturday, was on campus with his parents for an unofficial visit in late July. He'll be difficult to pull out of the state up north, but the Buckeyes — who already hold a commitment from West Virginia four-star offensive tackle Doug Nester — would love nothing more than to steal Brown, five-star offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs and four-star offensive guard Justin Rogers from the Wolverines next cycle.

IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE UP NORTH

Ohio State — more specifically assistant coordinator and area recruiter Kerry Coombs —also offered a scholarship on Thursday night to Muskegon, Michigan, three-star offensive tackle Anthony Bradford.

Blessed to say I have received my 7th offer from THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO STATE #GOBUCKEYES pic.twitter.com/KXjWnR1C0s

— Anthony_Bradford75 (@AnthonyBradfors) September 7, 2017

"To be honest, I've been waiting on them to offer, so it was a big thing for me," Bradford told Eleven Warriors. 

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Bradford is considered the 36th-best offensive tackle and No. 360 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Michigan State.

Coombs first contacted Bradford on Sept. 1, as NCAA rules prevented coaches from contacting prospects prior to that date.

"I think he saw my ability to move people easily," Bradford said.

He hopes to make it to Ohio State for the first time this fall.

AT LEAST HE'S HONEST

Last but not least, Ohio State also extended a scholarship offer on Wednesday night to Nashville Ensworth four-star cornerback Keshawn Lawrence.

Blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University @Ensworthfb @nparecruiting @BallHawkU pic.twitter.com/H8SbHbhU0r

— Keshawn Lawrence (@KeShawn2x) September 7, 2017

"All I could do was smile [when I found out] and thank God for this opportunity," Lawrence told Eleven Warriors. 

The 6-foot-2, 183-pound Lawrence is considered the fifth-best cornerback and No. 75 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 21 tackles with an interception and three pass breakups in 11 games for the Tigers last season. He holds offers from Georgia Tech, LSU, Memphis and Tennessee. 

"[My interest in the Buckeyes is] something different just cause I'm from the south, but watching them play is crazy," Lawrence said. "One day I have to watch them play in person."

ON THE DOCKET

It's Friday night, which means most of Ohio State's 18 commitments are back in action this evening — except those forced to postpone because of Hurricane Irma. After their respective games, a number of them will fly or drive to Columbus for an official visit for the game tomorrow night.

Several games will be broadcast online this weekend, too, so make sure to following me on Twitter at @AndrewMLind for links as they come in.