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.
LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE
With a decision between Ohio State and Texas a little over a week away, Austin Lake Travis four-star wide receiver Garrett Wilson was in Columbus this weekend with his parents, Kenny and Candice, for an official visit.
“It was really good,” Wilson told Eleven Warriors. “I didn’t think they’d be able to match the first [visit], but it was really just as good. I met a lot of people that meant a lot to the program and just Ohio State as a university.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Wilson is considered the sixth-best wide receiver and No. 46 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He narrowed his list of choices to the Buckeyes and Longhorns in late March, and plans to make his college announcement shortly after he takes an official visit to Austin next weekend.
This marked the second time on campus for Wilson in the last month. Once again, the Dublin native was able to spend time with head coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Zach Smith.
Wilson was also reunited with early enrollee freshman quarterback Matthew Baldwin, with whom he linked up for 98 passes for 1,774 yards and 26 touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to a berth in the state championship game last fall. The highlight of his weekend came when he met New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was among the dozens of former Buckeyes who now play in the National Football League in attendance.
Got to chop it up with the man himself @Cantguardmike .. a lot of love up here. #Shhhh pic.twitter.com/l7EjgtdHmp
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) April 14, 2018
“We really just talked like we had known each other for forever,” Wilson said. “He really surprised me with how it was just regular conversation flow and nothing forced. I wouldn’t say he had a main message [for me], but just that the competition here makes you better.”
I’ve felt good about Ohio State’s chances with Wilson from the time the staff offered him a scholarship, which is why I placed my 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction in favor of the Buckeyes that same day — which is where it will remain, even through next weekend’s trip to Austin.
Proximity favors Texas, but Wilson’s parents are on board with whatever decision he makes. He has close family and friends who remain in the area, and the sentimentality of coming home and playing for his childhood favorite team works in Ohio State’s favor.
Wilson is undoubtedly the Buckeyes’ top target at the wide receiver position — maybe even regardless of position — and his pledge would certainly go a long way in helping the staff secure a commitment from Texas four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell, who will be on campus the weekend after Wilson makes his decision known.
TYQUAN LEWIS-ESQUE
Rocking a vintage Charles Barkley windbreaker and Jeff Gordon “Rainbow Warrior” T-shirt seen above, Concord, North Carolina, Cox Mill three-star defensive end Terrell Dawkins was easily the most fashionable prospect in attendance at Saturday’s Spring Game.
“The visit was great,” Dawkins told Eleven Warriors. “It was an eye-opener for me.”
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Dawkins is considered the 72nd-best strong-side defensive end and No. 1,175, as he recorded 59 tackles, nine sacks, five tackles for a loss and an interception for the Chargers last season. He’s also a track standout who runs the 100-meter dash and throws the discus.
Dawkins spent a considerable amount of time with defensive line coach Larry Johnson during his first trip to campus. And then on Sunday, Johnson offered him a scholarship.
Blessed to receive a Great offer from The Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/xzFTdZHa6W
— Terrell Dawkins (@T_dawk89) April 15, 2018
“He just wants to make me a better man and person as a whole,” Dawkins said.
Dawkins now holds more than a dozen offers from programs such as Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee and West Virginia, but he’s already looking forward to a return trip to Columbus this summer.
“It was very important,” Dawkins said of the offer from the Buckeyes. “It made me feel like all my hard work is paying off.”
THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND
Laurel, Maryland, St. Vincent Pallotti offensive tackle Landon Tengwall also made the trip to campus for Saturday’s scrimmage and walked away with a scholarship offer in hand.
Extremely Humbled and Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/o2cujCycuf
— landonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) April 14, 2018
“It went really well overall,” Tengwall told Eleven Warriors. “The game was a really good time and getting a tour and meeting the coaches after was an even better experience. I really did enjoy myself and I hope to be back here soon.”
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Tengwall is not yet ranked by any major recruiting sites, but an offer list that includes Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, Virginia and Virginia Tech would suggest he’ll be among the more sought-after prospects in the Class of 2021. He also met with Johnson, who informed him of the offer on Saturday evening.
“It felt truly amazing to hear those words,” Tengwall said, “but I just have to remain focused and humble. It meant the world to me [though], and Ohio State is definitely right at the top of my list.”
Johnson and the rest of the staff is a big reason why.
“That’s the first thing I look at and research,” Tengwall said. “I got to meet a lot of the staff and they are all great guys and amazing coaches. Coach [Greg] Studrawa was a great guy, and I think we definitely made a great relationship. [It’s] huge in this business to have great relationships, so I’m just really excited to keep coming around and building my relationship and knowledge of Ohio State.”
A MAN AMONG CHILDREN
Though he wasn’t able to stick around for the Spring Game, Millis, Massachusetts four-star offensive tackle Kevin Pyne dropped by campus for an unofficial visit on Friday.
Had a great visit today with The Ohio State Buckeyes!! pic.twitter.com/DKU6QLVpRU
— kevin pyne (@kevinpyne75) April 13, 2018
“I had a great visit,” Pyne told Eleven Warriors. “I was really impressed by coach Meyer and coach Day. They were great. It was clear to me that they love their players and do their very best for them at Ohio State.”
The 6-foot-9, 275-pound Pyne is considered the fourth-best offensive tackle and No. 20 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, as he was a key cog in the Mohawks’ run to their second-consecutive state title last season. He holds two dozen offers from programs such as Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
This marked Pyne’s first trip to campus since the above-mentioned Day offered him a scholarship in late January. He and his family watched practice and mingled with the coaches and offense linemen before they boarded a flight to Los Angeles Friday evening.
“I will certainly be back for another visit in the fall,” Pyne said. “I met a lot of great people there.”
