Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 6/13 - Derek Barnett, Brock Ruble offered

Derek Barnett, a name long talked about as one that would elevate Ohio State amongst his favorites should the Buckeyes reciprocate interest, finally got the news he'd been waiting for Wednesday. Just six days before he was scheduled to visit the Buckeyes' Central Ohio campus, Barnett got the call that the Buckeyes were interested in him joining their 2014 class.

According to 247Sports, Barnett grew up an Ohio State fan ($) and has familial ties to the school as well. Though his visit has now been delayed to June 22nd, if ever there was a prospect to put on so-called "commitment watch", Barnett would fit the bill.

Barnett is a 6-3 265 pound strong-side defensive end prospect out of Brentwood, Tennessee. The Brentwood Academy prospect currently grades out as a 3-star in the 247 Composite rankings, is the 396th best player in the 2014 class, the 17th best strong side end, and the 8th best overall player from the state of Tennessee.

Our Bret Favachio, Ian Cuevas, and myself all foresee Barnett landing with the Buckeyes.

Here was Barnett after getting the good news:

Ohio state offer!! #buckeyes

— Derek Barnett (@dbarnett25) June 12, 2013

The almost instantaneous Buckeye lean wasn't the only new Ohio State offer recipient; the future All-B1G named Brock Ruble also got an OSU offer Wednesday afternoon.

Ruble is a 6-8 325 pound big ugly out of Hyattsville, Maryland. He also grades out as a 3-star in the 247Composite rankings, though unlike Barnett is presently projected to end up with his home state Maryland Terrapins. It's too early in Ruble's interaction with the Buckeyes for any of our staff to have a definitive sense on how his recruiting will pan out, but the curious part of the offer is what does it mean for long suspected Buckeye lean Jamarco Jones? Could the offer have anything to do with JUCO lineman Chad Mavety? We'll have to wait and see.

Ruble also seemed enthused with his respective developments:

Got offer by #OhioState today. #SoBlessed

— Brock Ruble (@pass_the_brock) June 12, 2013

Though far less exciting than receiving an actual offer, Dwyer (FL) safety Shawn Boone listed Ohio State on his shortlist Wednesday. The Buckeyes are joined by NC State, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Arkansas. With no clear leader in his own words, it's tough to get anything remotely resembling a definitive read. Some very, very early scuttlebutt had linked Boone to the Mountaineers, but it'd be a fool's errand to try and put much weight in that until something more concrete comes to light.

You might recognize Boone's Dwyer High from a controversial nationally televised loss to Ted Ginn Sr's Glenville Tarblooders from back in 2010. Dwyer was led by former Florida (now N.C. State) quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Finally, 2015 offensive lineman David Moorman (Pinckney, MI) will be visiting Ohio State today. Our Charles Doss caught up with Moorman briefly to get his thoughts on the trip:

I talk to Coach Coombs about once a week and he just said they are excited about me. It will be my first time down to Columbus so I am excited to see the campus in general.

QUICK HITS:

• 2014 Ohio State commit F David Bell is reportedly coming into his own a year before he arrives on campus.
• Watch fellow future Buckeye 2014 F Keita Bates-Diop do work: