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.
Kingsley Suamataia passed the eye tests
Last week, Ohio State extended an offer to 2021 offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia out of Orem High School in Utah – the same place where 2020 Ohio State target Noah Sewell plays. Both Sewell and Suamataia are rated as the top Utah prospects of their classes, and the Buckeyes are pushing hard for both of them.
Sewell can play some linebacker, and it is Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington who Suamataia is in contact with from Columbus.
“It’s a blessing. It’s one of me dream schools,” Suamataia told Eleven Warriors. “I’m just thankful to get an offer. I had a great talk with Coach. Can’t wait to come and visit. It’s cool knowing how my cousin, Enokk Vimahi, is coming down.”
Vimahi was a later target and eventual signee to Ohio State’s 2019 class as the second-best prospect out of Hawaii and the No. 7 offensive guard in the class. Suamataia said his father is planning his visits and isn’t sure when he will be on campus or will be accompanying him on those visits.
What Washington and the Ohio State staff did know was that Suamataia passed the eye test. On his tape, he shows good athleticism with a stable base, quick feet and a motor at the right tackle position. And at 6-foot-5, 288 pounds, the staff must have agreed he passed the test in person as well.
“When I first talked to Coach, he said I passed the eye test,” Suamataia said. “I really like Coach Washington. He’s really funny.”
Suamataia has played on the offensive line for Orem since he was a freshman and won back-to-back state titles with his team, blocking for a 1,000-yard rusher and three-star Utah State quarterback commit Cooper Legas, who passed for more than 4,000 yards last season.
He was invited to the Under Armour All-America camp series and was named an All-American by MaxPreps. He’s rated as the No. 10 offensive tackle and the No. 61 recruit overall in the Class of 2021.
It will have to take some effort to pull Suamataia out of the West, though. Several Orem alumni are at programs near the West Coast, vying for Suamataia’s commitment. The top 2019 Utah prospect, Puka Nacua, signed with Washington. Hunter Hill is at Utah State, Terrance Faumui is leaning Utah and Legas signed to Utah State. Several others, like Noah Sewell’s brother, Penei, are at programs like Oregon.
Will Lee can play anywhere a team wants him to play
Missouri athlete Will Lee is one of few hybrid athletes that can be recruited as a linebacker and a wide receiver, but at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Lee has a lot of options on a football field at the high school level.
Ohio State and Al Washington have taken notice of that.
“I think I can play wherever they’ll need me,” Lee told Eleven Warriors. “I’m very versatile. I think I could make it work.”
Lee said in April that he was expecting a visit from Ohio State at some point at Kirkwood High School, and he got the visit but was unable to talk with the coaches. He was finishing his track practice when the staff left. Lee said he’s still on good terms with the team and coaches though and is expecting further communication down the road.
Lee has mostly been in contact with Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky, and Iowa represents his only offer. His teammate, three-star 2020 receiver Jay Maclin, committed to Missouri on April 18.
Gee Scott Jr. is headed to The Opening finals
Ohio State 2020 wide receiver commit Gee Scott Jr. competed in The Opening Regionals at Oakland on Saturday, finishing second in the ratings and punching his ticket for The Opening Finals in Frisco, Texas, at the end of June.
#GotOpen pic.twitter.com/g1fjbBXmhF
— Gee Scott Jr. (@geescottjr) May 12, 2019
He is rated as the No. 14 wide receiver in the class and the No. 74 player overall. He will be a big target for Justin Fields at 6-foot-3, 211 pounds and is arguably the strongest wideout in the class.
