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.
MIDWESTERNER THROUGH AND THROUGH
Minneapolis Edina Senior four-star offensive tackle Quinn Carroll included Ohio State in his Top 6 on Wednesday afternoon alongside Minnesota, Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
I'm truly grateful to every school that has offered me a scholarship, and it's been an honor getting to know every coach who has recruited me. That said, after much prayer and many conversations with my family, these are the six programs that I will be considering moving forward. pic.twitter.com/4pGteCi8Sd
— Quinn Carroll (@q_ocarroll) March 7, 2018
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Carroll is considered the 10th-best offensive tackle and No. 57 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he was named first-team all-state after leading the Hornets to the state playoffs last season. Ohio State offered him a scholarship during his first visit for Junior Day last January, and he attended the Buckeyes' 31-16 loss to Oklahoma in September.
"Their program is top notch," Carroll told Eleven Warriors last spring. "I now understand why this program has been so unbelievably successful."
Though the Fighting Irish are considered the favorite to land his pledge at this point in time, Carroll's recruitment is very much still up in the air. His father, Jay, played tight end for the Golden Gophers and his brother, Collin, was a long snapper for the Hokies, so both programs hope their family ties pay off in the end, as well.
BACK TO ST. LOU
Ohio State also made the cut for St. Louis Trinity Catholic four-star wide receiver Marcus Washington, who listed the Buckeyes in his Top 10 on Wednesday afternoon alongside Alabama, Florida State, Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas and USC.
Top 10 #AGTG #RollTide #GoNoles #cyclONEnation #MIZ #GoBucks #OUDNA #ScoDucks #WeAre #HookEm #FightOn pic.twitter.com/YfdajsxnVr
— Marcus Washington (@_MarcusW11) March 7, 2018
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Washington is considered the 10th-best wide receiver and No. 62 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he’s hauled in 97 catches for 1,894 yards and 33 touchdowns in his three-year varsity career with the Titans.
Ohio State offered Washington and his teammates, four-star linebacker Shammond Cooper and four-star athlete Isaiah Williams, last spring. The trio then attended the Buckeyes' annual Friday Night Lights recruiting extravaganza in July.
NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER
When safety Jaiden Woodbey was committed to — and fully focused on — Ohio State, one of the players he was recruiting hardest on behalf of the Buckeyes was his former teammate at Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco, five-star cornerback Chris Steele.
With Woodbey now at Florida State, you'd think Ohio State's chances with Steele would be slim to none. However, he's hoping the Buckeyes come through with an offer sooner rather than later.
"Ohio is like home away from home because of all the family I have out there, so I'm definitely [still interested in Ohio State]," Steele told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Steele — whose father is originally from the Buckeye State — is considered the third-best cornerback and No. 29 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 22 tackles and five pass breaks ups to be named first-team all-state for the Braves last season. He listed Alabama, California, Michigan, Oklahoma and USC in his Top 5 back in October, but admitted an offer from the Buckeyes could be a game-changer.
Steele — a one-time UCLA commit — has been in contact with linebackers coach and area recruiter Bill Davis for quite some time and just recently started to build a relationship with new cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson. He's never been to campus, but that would certainly change if Ohio State makes a play for his services.
"If I get the offer, I'll visit for sure," Steele said.
DRIFTING APART
When Eugene, Oregon, Sheldon four-star quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. made his first and only trip to Columbus last March, he was blown away by the experience. He received an in-person offer from head coach Urban Meyer that weekend and cited the program's emphasis on life after football as a reason why the Buckeyes would be in his recruitment until the very end.
Since then, though, contact between the two sides has scaled back considerably.
"I haven't heard anything from them in a couple months," Johnson told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Johnson — who is considered the fourth-best dual-threat quarterback and No. 184 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — is one of 12 signal callers to hold an offer from Ohio State at this point in the recruiting process. The Buckeyes have yet to make one a priority, and four of them are already committed.
It's clear the staff is taking its time in finding its next quarterback commit, but Johnson hopes the staff hasn't moved on from him. After all, he's in no rush to make a decision on his future.
"That would be completely up to them," Johnson said. "I'm still interested."
Johnson — who threw for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 745 yards and 12 more scores to lead the Irish to the second round of the state playoffs last season — holds more than 40 offers from programs such as Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and USC. The Ducks have widely been considered the favorite to land his pledge, though, since they hired his father to be their wide receivers coach last February.
REMEMBER THIS NAME
Ohio State made quite the splash in New Jersey last recruiting cycle, signing two of the state's top six players in four-star defensive ends Tyler Friday and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
One player hoping to follow Wayne DePaul Catholic outside linebacker Aree Booker, who took an unofficial visit to campus for the Buckeyes' Junior Day last month.
Ohio State Visit! pic.twitter.com/uhWzB9Dj9Y
— Gloria Booker (@BookerGlory) February 24, 2018
"I had an amazing time up in Columbus and it was a great experience," Booker told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Booker is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites nor does he hold any offers at this point in time, but — watching his tape — you can certainly see he has the size and speed coveted by programs across the country.
This wasn't Booker's first time on campus, as he attended a summer camp two years ago. This trip gave him a whole new perspective on what the program offers, though.
"I really got to see what Ohio State was as a whole and was amazed to see the tradition and pride of the Buckeyes," he said, noting he spent a majority of his time on campus with former assistant coordinator Kerry Coombs, linebackers coach Bill Davis and director of player development Mark Pantoni.
Booker — who was Friday's former teammate at Don Bosco Prep, but transferred this offseason — plans to return for a one-day camp in June and hopes a strong senior years opens some eyes.
"I have a lot in store for this upcoming season," Booker said.
