Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 2/3 - Malik McDowell visits, Luke Hiers offered and more

Ohio State's last recruiting weekend before Wednesday's National Signing Day started off with a bang when Nick Tensing announced on Twitter that he accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Buckeyes. Tensing, a 6-4 200 pound quarterback who will soon graduate from Ohio high school power Cincinnati St. Xavier, passed for 1,991 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior for the Bombers and will add depth to already deep quarterback roster.

The Buckeyes could find themselves adding another preferred walk-on to the program soon, as Walsh Jesuit offensive lineman Alex Conley tells Land-Grant Holy Land that he will probably be making his college decision at some point today. Conley has a hard choice ahead of him. The 6'4 290-pound Stow-native currently holds numerous scholarship offers from FCS conference programs, including Duquesne and also has the chance to walk on at Penn State and Purdue.

Just like every other prospect in the country, Alex is trying to find the right overall place for him to continue his playing days, but most importantly, further his education. "When I look at a college I look for academics first and if I like the school." Conley said. "Then I see what the coaches and team are like."

Here are some highlights of Alex Conley from his junior season:

Tim Hinton planted flags in Kentucky on Friday. A couple schools the tight end coach stopped by were Bowling Green's Warren Central for 2015 linebacker Emmitt Smith and Henderson's County High for offensive lineman Mason Wolfe.

Wolfe, a 6'7 280-pound tackle, who already sports an offer from Kentucky, told Land-Grant Holy Land that Hinton stated to his coaches that he was invited to not just attend a Buckeye spring practice, but also camp in the summer. He plans on attending:

Ohio State was here today!!! #OhioState

— Mason Wolfe (@masonwolfe77) January 31, 2014

Hinton visiting some of the Bluegrass State's top talent is pretty cool, but most of Buckeye Nation were preoccupied worrying about the weekend trips of Jamarco Jones and Malik McDowell. The longtime OSU commit, Jones made his way from Chicago to East Lansing for a official visit at Michigan State.

Jones, who is still thinking over his options at this time, has at least one Ohio State commit sharing his thoughts on where he feels the four star offensive lineman should take his talents:

"@jjones_73: Heading home" to Columbus!!

— Kyle Berger (@K_Bergs) February 2, 2014

McDowell, a five-star defensive end, made the trip from Detroit to Columbus with his parents for his official visit. Down to a final four of OSU, Florida State, Michigan and Michigan State, Malik will make his college plans known during a ceremony at Southfield High School on Wednesday morning.

Many including myself and other members of the LGHL Recruiting team fully believe that McDowell, who had the chance to mingle with Buckeye commits Parris Campbell Jr. and Dante Booker Jr. from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary while on campus, will become a member of the Dream '14 on National Signing Day.

Want to see what the Bucks would add with a commitment from McDowell? Check out these highlights:

Trying to finish off the 2014 class strong, the staff found time to offer one of best from 2015 over the weekend. Offensive lineman Luke Hiers received a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. "My coach told me, because of the NCAA rules that college coaches can't talk to me in person. Stan Drayton is the coach I have talked to." Hiers told Land-Grant Holy Land.

Already holding offers from Kentucky, Miami, North Carolina State, Mississippi State, South Florida, Duke and LSU, the 6'3 295-pound lineman is getting used to the recruiting process, but that doesn't mean he isn't excited about the offer from Ohio State. "It is an honor to be highly thought of by a huge program. I may make it up [there] this summer."

Just days after being named a McDonald's All-American, D'Angelo Russell was back in action with his Montverde Academy teammates at the school's Invitational Tournament. On Thursday, D'Angelo scored 17 points in a 91-61 opening round victory over American Heritage.

On Friday, in the semifinals, the 6'4 five-star guard had 16 points to lead the Eagles over Math, Civics and Sciences of Philadelphia by a final score of 92-51. In the championship on Saturday, Russell was up to his normal tricks and once again scored in double digits finishing with 13 points in a 78-24 win over Greensboro Day, crowning Montverde the Champions of the three-day tournament.

Check out this nasty spin move Russell put on some poor kid during Saturdays title game. You won't be disappointed:

After trailing at the half, Keita Bates-Diop and University High (IL) bounced back in the second half to remain unbeaten in conference play and 18-3 overall. Bates-Diop's 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks were key in the Pioneers 57-46 comeback win over Mahomet-Seymour on Friday evening.

Dave Bell and Garfield Heights weren't as lucky on Friday. Bell and the Bulldogs played a hard fought game but came out on the losing end against Medina, 83-69. Bell chipped in 5 points, while 2016 standout Willie Jackson led all scorers with 22.

Future Buckeye forward Jae'Sean Tate might have played in his last high school game at Pickerington Central last week against Northland. Tate sat out of the Tigers 77-72 win over Grove City this past Friday after re-aggravating a nagging shoulder injury from the summer.

Tate, who opted not to have surgery after being injured on the AAU circuit, will have an MRI on Thursday to see exactly what his options are. If surgery is needed, he should be able to bounce back with months of rehab under his belt to be able to participate in practice when he reaches Ohio State's campus in the summer.

Class of 2015 commit AJ Harris kept his Dayton Dunbar squad rolling in the right direction, leading them to a pair of victories over the weekend. On Friday, Harris was seven of thirteen from the field, finishing with 20 points to go along with five assists, four steals and three rebounds in a 76-50 blowout win over Meadowdale.

On Saturday, Dunbar rolled Stivers School for the Arts, 91-71. Harris had a double-double for the Wolverines, scoring 23 points and dishing out 12 assists in the win.

QUICK HITS:

- The third overall prospect in the 2015 class according to 247Sports, Ivan Rabb, a five-star power forward from Oakland, California, announced his top 12 over the weekend, with the Buckeyes making the cut. The following teams join Ohio State on Rabb's short list:

Official list...No Favorites...Thank you to all of the schools that have been recruiting me! #blessed pic.twitter.com/74I4b7xxT8

— Ivan Rabb (@YoungIvee) February 2, 2014