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.
WHAT SOUND DOES AN EXPLODING ROCKET MAKE?
Wayne, New Jersey, DePaul Catholic four-star athlete “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman included Ohio State in his Top 6 on Thursday alongside Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.
Extremely Blessed and Thankful #TopSix pic.twitter.com/pe1a2C4V4p
— Ronnie Hickman (@asvprocket_) April 10, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Hickman is considered the 13th-best athlete and No. 122 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he hauled in 44 receptions for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns to help the Spartans to the state championship last fall. He also recorded 47 tackles, nine pass break ups, two interceptions and one tackle for a loss, which is a big reason why the Buckeyes view him as a safety at the next level — maybe even a linebacker as he continues to mature physically.
As we first reported this morning, Hickman will be back at Ohio State with his parents for Saturday’s Spring Game. It’ll be his sixth time on campus since the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship last April. That includes an unofficial visit in February where he got one-on-one time with head coach Urban Meyer, defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Alex Grinch.
“I got to see how [Grinch] coaches the game and who he really is,” Hickman told Eleven Warriors at the time. “I think he's a great guy and a great coach.”
Hickman admitted at the time he was closing in on a decision, and given the fact that his mother and father are making the trip to Columbus with him once again, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pledge his services to Ohio State this weekend.
“[The biggest factors will be in my decision will be] how comfortable I feel at the school and he opportunities the school has to offer on the field and off,” Hickman said.
TRENDING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION
Avon, Connecticut, Old Farms four-star athlete Marquis Wilson also remains high on Ohio State, as he listed the Buckeyes in his Top 10 late Monday evening alongside Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Im extremely blessed for all the opportunities given to me by the various coaching staffs and I will forever be thankful but with that being said No Question or Interviews please pic.twitter.com/712UHIxxhd
— Armani (@MarquisArmani) April 10, 2018
The 6-foot, 175-pound Wilson is considered the 24th-best athlete and No. 283 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, but most schools — including Ohio State — are recruiting him to play defensive back at the next level after he recorded 51 tackles, four interceptions, two pass break ups and one forced fumble for the Winged Beavers last season. He also hauled in 37 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns on offense.
The Buckeyes offered Wilson back in January, and he’s also expected to attend the Spring Game this weekend. It’ll be his first time on campus, which means the staff has a chance to solidify their standing in his recruitment.
That said, the Nittany Lions are considered the favorite to land Wilson’s pledge at this point in time. He’s been to their campus numerous times, and the only official official visit he’s penciled in at this time is a return to State College for their Spring Game next weekend, April 21.
Wilson plans to make a decision on his future this summer.
AKRON'S FINEST
Ohio State welcomed Akron Archbishop Hoban four-star linebacker DeaMonte Trayanum to campus on Friday, which marked his first trip to Columbus since the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship in late January.
Had an amazing time today with the staff and coaches at The Ohio State University!! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/8MGTQM7r4S
— DeaMonte Trayanum (@Chipperrz_) April 6, 2018
“The visit went great,” Trayanum told Eleven Warriors. “That was the first time that I got to see the facilities and campus. It was really a great experience getting to talk to most of the coaches.”
The 6-foot, 205-pound Trayanum is considered the 10th-best outside linebacker and No. 170 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he recorded 120 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, five pass breaks ups, one interception and one forced fumble to help the Knights to their third-consecutive state championship last season. He also rushed for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns as a part-time running back, which is the position Ohio State would have him play at the next level.
With that said, Trayanum and Hoban strength and conditioning coach Michael Winkler spent a considerable amount of time on the visit with Meyer, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and running backs coach Tony Alford.
“They said to keep doing what I’m doing and the sky is the limit,” Trayanum said.
Trayanum — who also holds early offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Toledo and West Virginia — is in no hurry to make a decision on his future and hopes to simply enjoy the process for the time being. He will, however, be on campus for the Buckeyes’ season opener against Oregon State.
DOUBLE DOWN ON DAVISES
Apopka, Florida, Wekiva teammates Rian and Tyler Davis (no relation) were also on campus that same afternoon, wrapping up a two-day visit that began on Thursday.
“[It was] great,” Tyler Davis, a four-star defensive tackle, told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-1, 293-pound Davis is considered the 18th-best defensive tackle and No. 269 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he racked up an absurd 100 tackles, 21 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Mustangs last season. This marked his third time on campus since the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship last May, which includes a one-day camp over the summer and the 48-3 win over Michigan State in the fall.
The Davises watched practice, toured campus and met with Meyer and their respective position coaches. For Tyler, it meant some one-on-one time with defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
“[He said] that they will love to coach me and are looking for me to be a Buckeye,” Davis said.
Davis holds nearly 30 offers from programs such as Clemson, Florida, Florida state, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Texas A&M, but there’s no doubt he has a ton of interest in Ohio State.
“All the love they show me [stands out],” Davis said.
We spoke with Rian Davis — a four-star linebacker — earlier this week. You can read that interview here.
