Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets - Buckeyes offer Kareem Felder and Zechariah McPhearson

The Ohio State coaching staff are always searching high and low for quality ball players to add to the roster. On Thursday evening the Buckeyes offered a pair of Maryland class of 2016 defensive backs the opportunity to suit up on the next level in the Scarlet and Gray.

According to reports, recent Virginia Tech pledge Kareem Felder now has an offer from OSU under his belt. A three-star prospect from Baltimore's St. Francis Academy, the 5'10, 165-pound Felder verbally committed to the Hokies earlier this month over scholarship offers from Boston College, Iowa, North Carolina, Rutgers, West Virginia, and others.

Known for flipping commitments, Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes have plenty of time to once again work their magic over the next few months before Felder signs on the dotted line with Virginia Tech next February.

Zechariah "Zech" McPhearson also received an offer from the national champs.

"I found out at my workouts. My coach came to me, and pulled me aside, and said Coach Larry Johnson from OSU wants to talk. I spoke with some of the staff, and Coach Johnson broke the news to me. I was thrilled," the 6'1, 180-pound cornerback told Land-Grant Holy Land.

"They mentioned my speed, and how I can produce big plays defensively with it. They said they were really impressed with my highlight film," McPhearson added on his interaction with the OSU staff last night.

Clemson, Iowa, Michigan State, Wake Forest and Boston College, where his father Gerrick McPhearson played in the 1980's, are just a few of the other programs the Buckeyes join on Zechariah's scholarship list. While he didn't want to name his current leaders, the OSU offer skyrockets the Buckeyes into major contenders in his recruitment.

"Right now they are in my top three. They are a great program."

As a junior at Riverdale Baptist School, McPhearson, who plans to visits OSU in the near future, finished the year with 16 pass break ups, four interceptions, and over 1,000 all purpose yards. Scoring 10 touchdowns in a multitude of different ways, he was named Honorable Mention All-State for his play on the field.

See what McPhearson could add to the Buckeyes with these highlights, courtesy of Hudl:

Quick Hits:

• According to Evan Daniels of Scout.com, Thad Matta watched five-star class of 2016 shooting guard Tyus Battle last night. The 6'6 standout is one of the most prized junior prospects in the country. While OSU is on his short list, Duke has always been looked as the front runner to land the New Jersey native.
• 2017 Cincinnati Sycamore running back Ra'Von Bonner might only hold an offer from his hometown Bearcats, but that didn't stop the talented sophomore from releasing a top five of Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame yesterday afternoon. The 5'11, 190-pound Bonner rushed for over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
• After not being too impressed with the Buckeyes recently, everything looks to be kosher between Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher and the Ohio State staff.