Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 6/5 - Two new offers, Brandon Harris updates

At least in Ohio State's prospective '14 recruiting class, followers and fans have gotten accustomed to seeing Nick Saban and Alabama offer players whom the Buckeyes have already offered and/or received commitments from. However, in Urban Meyer's most recent recruiting activity, the tides (pun 100% intended) have turned. Yesterday, Matt Elam (not to be confused with the recently drafted Florida Gators product Matt Elam) received an offer to play at The Ohio State University. Elam is a whopping 6-6, 342-pound '14 defensive tackle prospect from Elizabethtown, KY attending John Hardin High School.

With word from the Ohio State staff, he now holds eight reported offers, according to 247Sports. Ohio State, Alabama, Kentucky, and Louisville are among the big boys who have offered and are battling for his services; Florida and Tennessee have not yet pulled the trigger on offering Elam but are recruiting him consistently. According to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, Elam is considered a 4-star recruit, the 25th best defensive tackle prospect in the country and the 2nd best overall prospect from Kentucky. Most recruiting analysts have projected Elam to Kentucky, but LGHL will keep you posted as his Buckeye offer soaks in and his recruiting process progresses.

Another offer not yet touched on by us at LGHL concerns '14 junior college offensive tackle Avery Gennesy. The 6-5, 318-pound prospect confirmed to me last night that he has indeed been offered by Ohio State (albeit before spring break), and had this to say about the offer:

"I spoke with Coach [Tom Herman] on the phone, and he told me that they had decided to offer me a scholarship. I was very, very thankful that they looked into me to see what type of player I was and decided to offer me a scholarship. Ohio State is one of the schools I like right now, but I want to take my time and see how it plays out. I plan on announcing the school I choose on signing day."

According to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, Gennesy ranks as the 7th best overall junior college prospect and the 6th best junior college offensive tackle prospect, just behind Buckeye targets Jermaine Eluemenor and Chad Mavety. This additional offer out to an offensive lineman in the 2014 class could indicate a lack of confidence in the current o-line targets' chances to end up Buckeyes, but Gennesy is no slouch. The Mississippian has gathered offers from several of the big boys in today's recruiting, including Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. After Jamarco Jones and others make their college decision official and announce, we'll get a better picture of Gennesy's chances of pledging to suit up in scarlet and gray.

Just spoke to Brandon Harris. He said that while Auburn is not his leader, they are in his top 3. More here: bit.ly/ZLuLvF

— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) June 4, 2013

The above tweet represents yet another update in the ever-changing recruiting news of elite '14 quarterback Brandon Harris. News broke yesterday that Harris had a great talk via Skype with Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. Harris stopped short of naming Auburn his leader, only confirming that they are in his top three and that they have a "very, very good chance of landing him." Since declaring the seven-school list of his planned visits this summer, yesterday was really the most open Harris has been in the process. If spoken from the heart, those quotes indicate to me that Auburn may indeed be the frontrunner in the Brandon Harris race as of now. But as we all know (and as Harris' recruitment keeps exemplifying), recruiting can change daily.

Further indicating the severity of Auburn's push for Harris' services, the one, the only Cam Newton spoke with Harris yesterday. Unfortunately for non-Auburn fans pining for Brandon Harris to choose to play at their school, Cammy Cam just so happens to be Mr. Harris' "hero." Combining the extensive quotations from Harris and his adoration for speaking with Cam Newton, I think it's safe to say Auburn knocked it out of the park yesterday. Despite my cautious optimism for Harris selecting Ohio State after Kyle Allen chose the Texas A&M Aggies, let's just say my optimism has drastically decreased. Regardless, things can change on a dime, and who knows if Harris' words to reporters were him just simply "playing the game."

QUICK HITS:

• '14 Bishop Ready OL Brady Taylor has postponed his visit to Thursday due to the coaching staff's golf outing on Tuesday.
• '14 Ohio State commit Parris Campbell was invited to The Opening on Tuesday.
• '15 Maryland DT Adam McLean is in touch with Luke Fickell and Ed Warinner and stated that an offer would mean "a lot" to him. Also, McLean stated the Buckeyes will be on his top list, and he plans to visit soon.
• '14 St. Xavier DE Nick Carovillano will be camping at Ohio State.
• '14 Ohio State commit Sam Hubbard will be camping at Ohio State this Sunday.
• '15 Buckeye CB target Tyrek Cole was invited to the 2015 Under Armour All-American Bowl.
• '14 Fort Lauderdale S Quincy Wilson included Ohio State in his top 13 schools.
• '14 Fort Lauderdale CB Chris Lammons included Ohio State in his top 15 schools.
• Ohio State targets VJ King, Harry Giles, Josh Jackson and Ivan Rabb made the u16 USA basketball team.
• '14 Ohio State basketball commit Keita Bates-Diop was selected to participate in the first annual Under Armour All-Star game.