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.
THE LOCAL GUNSLINGER
Ohio State host a number of in-state prospects for Saturday's game against Illinois, including Girard pro-style quarterback Mark Waid. He was excited to see what campus was like and watch fellow Youngstown area native Billy Price play his last game in Ohio Stadium.
“It was great. It was an amazing atmosphere for a football game,” Waid told Eleven Warriors. “Even when the rain started coming down, the fans were still loud and in the game. I had a great time.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Waid is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites nor does he have any offers at this time, but he clearly has the size and experience to warrant major attention in the 2019 recruiting cycle. He threw for 3,506 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for 1,129 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, helping the Indians to a 10-2 record — a stark improvement from when they went 2-8 when he stared as a freshman.
While on campus, Waid spoke with quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and recruiting assistant Ed Terwilliger, whom he met at Friday Night Lights back in July. They want to see him throw again soon, and he hopes that eventually leads to an offer.
“Everybody growing up in Ohio dreams of putting on the Scarlet and Gray and running out and playing in The 'Shoe,” Waid said. “My quarterbacks coach, Nick Cochran, played there [in 1989] and he has always been a huge role model to me, so to follow in his footsteps would mean a lot.
“Ohio State says it all,” he continued. “It would be the greatest honor to represent The Ohio State University, especially when you are from the state.”
THE EARLY FAVORITES
Cincinnati Reading defensive end Tanner Cromer also attended the 52-14 win over the Fighting Illini on Saturday, marking is first time on campus in a recruiting capacity.
“It was a great first experience at The 'Shoe,” Cromer told Eleven Warriors. “The atmosphere of the game just gave me chills, and I could picture myself playing there one day.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Cromer — though currently unranked — will undoubtedly be a name to remember in the Class of 2020 after he led the Blue Devils with 121 tackles and 16 sacks this season. Programs such as Cincinnati, Michigan State and several Mid-American Conference schools have started to show interest in him, as well, but he already knows he wants to play for the Buckeyes if the opportunity presents itself.
Before the game, Cromer spent time with Terwilliger and executive director for football relations Tim Hinton, who presented him with a path toward earning an offer from Ohio State.
“They told me that they'd be in touch with me more in the offseason and that they'd love to see me in person at a camp this summer,” Cromer said.
FAST-RISING JUNIOR
The Buckeyes also welcomed Columbus Walnut Ridge safety Julius Wood for an unofficial visit on Saturday afternoon. He made the 20-minute drive with his parents.
Who i do it for pic.twitter.com/laROaHjIYh
— JULIUS WOOD (@ybw_wood) November 19, 2017
“The visit was nice. I had a good time with my family,” Wood told Eleven Warriors, noting they all were able to stay dry despite the conditions. “I got a very good impression. I liked it.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Wood has recently burst onto the recruiting scene after he recorded 26 receptions for 434 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver and 100 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a safety for the Scots this season. He holds an offer from Oio, while Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State and Pittsburgh have all shown interest.
The Buckeyes have been in contact with Wood for a few weeks, and assistant coordinator Kerry Coombs invited him to campus for the game.
“He's been saying he likes the athleticism andd playmaker in me, and how I play football,” Wood said.
Like any local kid, Wood hopes to eventually land an offer from Ohio State. He plans to attend several campus next summer in order to make that dream come true.
“It would mean a lot to me,” he said. “Especially because I live right here in the city.”
NEXT IN LINE
On Monday, Ohio State four-star commit Teradja Mitchell, USC five-star pledge Palaie Gaoteote and four-star target Solomon Tuliaupupu were lised among the five finalists for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's best high school linebacker.
Congratulations to Teradja M. for being one of the 2017 High School Finalists for the Butkus Award! The winners will be announced on or before December 6th. #CRUpride pic.twitter.com/Q5g9OPiFgm
— Bishop Sullivan (@BpSullivanCHS) November 20, 2017
Fellow linebacker commits Dallas Gant and K'Vaughan Pope were among the 16 semifinalists named in late October.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound Mitchell finished his senior season at Virginia Beach Bishop Sullivan with nearly 100 tackles, but the Crusaders struggled to a 6-5 record against tough national competion. He released his highlight tape last night.
Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses beat out Ohio State’s Baron Browning and a host of other talented linebackers to win the award last season. This year's winner will be announced on Dec. 6.
