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.
BRANCHING OUT
Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch gives Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.) safety Brian Branch a call every week. But this week's conversation between the two sounded different than all the others.
Around 8:30 Monday night, Grinch dialed Branch's number and had an offer ready.
"It caught me by surprise because he calls me every week and I didn’t think this was the week he was going to offer. I was shock. I was speechless for like a minute," Branch said.
The offer is far from Branch's first. He also has interest from Louisville, Georgia Tech and South Carolina. Currently, 247Sports doesn't have a ranking for Branch. He's a 6-foot, 175-pound prospect in the class of 2020.
Honored to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University #gobuckeyes #BuckeyeNation @PassFootball5 @ChadSimmons_ @CoachGrinch pic.twitter.com/enVfWtvddJ
— Brian Branch (@BrianBB_1) November 6, 2018
Over the summer, Branch attended a camp at the University of South Carolina, where he received his offer from the Gamecocks. He's also been on visits to Indiana and Georgia Tech ... and plans to be in Columbus soon.
"I haven’t been on any visits [to Columbus] yet but I hope to attend the Michigan game," he said. "I’m just looking for a coaching staff to actually care for you and can set you up in the long run."
Branch's recruiting process seems to be ramping up and the Ohio State offer should put in an express lane for others major programs to start calling. Branch is ready for it.
"I love everything about football, especially playing in big games where the crowd is into it," he said. "You work your whole life for that exact moment. It’s a blessing."
BUCKEYES SEND OUT TWO ADDITIONAL OFFERS
Branch wasn't the only prospect to receive a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes Monday.
Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) quarterback Drake Maye and Northmont (Ohio) linebacker Jestin Jacobs also announced offers from Ohio State.
Maye is in the class of 2021 and is considered a pro-style quarterback. He's listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and is a legacy at North Carolina, where his father Mark played. The Tar Heels have offered May, as well as Tennessee and West Virginia.
He throws to wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad III, who was in Columbus alongside Maye this past weekend for unofficial visits.
Thankful to receive an offer from Ohio State University! Go Bucks pic.twitter.com/4d5zb7XKh6
— Drake Maye (@DrakeMaye2) November 5, 2018
As for Jacobs, the in-state outside linebacker is a four-star prospect that's currently committed to Iowa. Jacobs gave the Hawkeyes his pledge on May 11.
He's ranked as Ohio's 12th-best overall recruit in the class of 2019 and as the nation's 18th-best prospect at his position. He'll attend the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5, 2019, alongside many Ohio State targets and commits.
Blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University @OhioStateFB #Gobucks pic.twitter.com/E5E1tAjd1z
— Jestin (@jestinjacobs__) November 6, 2018
AN INTRODUCTION TO FLORIDA SAFETY TERRELL TUTT
Sunday afternoon, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) running back Marcus Crowley flipped his commitment from Miami to Ohio State. Crowley is just the latest Floridian to commit to the Urban Meyer and company as the Buckeyes already boast of Shaun Wade and Tyreke Johnson on their roster — who are both from Jacksonville.
Terrell Tutt, a 2021 safety at Sandalwood High School — also in Jacksonville, seeing a trend? — would love to join that group of names.
Tutt is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound safety, with room to grow. His name is starting to trickle into multiple recruiting circle as he's been on early visits to Georgia Tech and FIU. He was also recently invited to the 2019 National Combine, in association with the All-American Bowl.
The National Combine features 600 of the nation's top underclassmen. Multiple scouting organizations, including 247Sports, are always in attendance and it gives the athletes one of their first real chances to make an impact. So, you might start to see Tutt's name more.
Sandalwood safety Terrell Tutt during his visit to Georgia Tech. Twitter/@Terrell_Tutt
"I have taken visits to schools and, so far, my favorite has been Georgia Tech because of the area that’s around it [Atlanta]," Tutt told Eleven Warriors. "I plan to take plenty more and Ohio Sate would definitely be a top consideration."
While Tutt said he hasn't been in contact with Ohio State, he'd definitely welcome a call.
"I most definitely have an interest in Ohio State because of the coaching staff and the defensive backs the school produces," Tutt said. "But I would definitely like to talk to Ohio State on a personal Level."
For what it's worth, Tutt — who feels his best on-field skills are his vision, patience, technique and sense of attack — has been in brief contact with Crowley.
"We don’t know each other personally but we have talked and messaged each other," Tutt said. "His commitment does influence others [in the area] because he shows what it takes to get to that level, to a school such as Ohio State."
