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.
BETTER FIGURE IT OUT QUICK
Exactly one week from today, we’ll find out if the staff’s nearly two-year pursuit of Houston Lamar five-star cornerback Anthony Cook was worth it. And though he’s set to decide among LSU, Ohio State in Texas on Oct. 30, it appears he hasn’t made up his mind just yet.
One week until decision day for Anthony Cook
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) October 23, 2017
The 5-star corner goes in-depth on his 3 finalists, including where #LSU stands | https://t.co/KoiOSSBgRS pic.twitter.com/oMZ4LBaOti
“I honestly don’t know where I’m going. It’s crazy,” Cook told SEC Country. “I felt like around this time, I’d know, so I’m taking it day by day, praying on it and I’ll make a decision. I just know that I have no idea where I want to go right now.
“Over the past couple of weeks, people would say stuff and I’ve been receiving a lot of perspectives from people like, ‘Go here, it’s best for you,’ or, ‘If you go here, it’s a good fit,’ and stuff like that,” he continued. “The different perspectives have different thoughts going through my mind and I feel like the week of, I’ll come to a decision.”
You’ll notice the article claims the Tigers have pulled dead even following Cook’s official visit two weeks ago, but let’s be honest — this is solely a battle between the Buckeyes and Longhorns. And as we’ve mentioned throughout the entire process, it’s going to come down to playing close to home or at a program sure to turn him into first-round pick.
“I feel like they each got their different pros,” Cook said. “If I go to Texas, it would be simply because I want to play in my state ... Ohio State, I feel like I can be developed best as a player.”
Now Cook could truly surprise us all and pick LSU based on the possibility of early playing time. But, then again, I wouldn’t anticipate that from someone who absolutely loves the thrill of competition.
HE'LL MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF THAT DAY
Despite the fact that he's rushed for more than 800 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, four-star running back commit Brian Snead has become a forgotten member of Ohio State's current recruiting class. That's no knock on Snead, though, as he's simply laid low since his commitment during Friday Night Lights in July 2016.
Nevertheless, Snead is one of the best prospects in the country, as evidenced by his selection for the Under Armour All-America Game. He was presented honorary jersey when the American Family Insurance Selection Tour stopped by Armwood High in Seffner, Florida, on Monday afternoon.
Ohio State is known for producing outstanding running backs. Add 2018 @UAFootball All-American Brian Snead to the list! #IWILL pic.twitter.com/WEO5E8ffOQ
— All-America Game (@AllAmericaGame) October 23, 2017
“I’m excited. All of my loved ones and family is here,” Snead told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s a moment that I have always dreamed about, and it’s all coming true.”
Snead — considered the fourth-best running back and No. 85 prospect overall in the country — is one of more than 100 senior that have been selected to play in the 10th annual Under Armour All-America Game, which takes place Jan. 4, 2018, at Camping World Stadium.
It will be televised live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. EST.
There, Snead will be joined by several Ohio State commits, including five-star defensive end Brenton Cox, four-star lineman Matthew Jones, four-star dual-threat quarterback Emory Jones and four-star cornerback Sevyn Banks.
ON THE MEND
The visitor list for Saturday's highly anticipated game against Penn State is finally taking shape, and among the commits set to be in attendance is three-star running back Master Teague III. It will be his second time on campus this fall (Oklahoma), but first since he had ankle surgery last month.
It's been roughly four weeks since the procedure, which repaired a peroneal tendon subluxation — a condition in which the tendon snaps out of place — in his left ankle.
“Rehab is going well,” Teague's father, Corey, told Eleven Warriors.
Blackman is 2-1 since Teague went down, and there's a chance he could return if the Blaze advance deep in the playoffs. It'll be hard to keep him off the field if he's healthy by then, too.
“He still hates that he can't play, but he continues to be there for his teammates,” the elder Teague said. “He loves to see them do well and hates to see them not do well or well enough.”
Teague will be accompanied to Columbus by his parents and his grandfather, Master II. He is set to graduate early and will sign with the Buckeyes during the December Signing Period.
We’ll have a complete list of visitors for the game against the Nittany Lions on Friday afternoon.
