Ohio State set to host No. 1 QB recruit, but deep-pocketed SEC rival could up the ante to stay favorites
Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham School’s five-star quarterback Elijah Haven, the top-ranked signal-caller in the 2027 recruiting cycle, is visiting Ohio State for a camp this week, drawing attention from Buckeyes fans. However, LSU, under head coach Brian Kelly, remains the favorite to secure Haven’s commitment, with analysts citing the Tigers’ ability to leverage greater financial […]
Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham School’s five-star quarterback Elijah Haven, the top-ranked signal-caller in the 2027 recruiting cycle, is visiting Ohio State for a camp this week, drawing attention from Buckeyes fans.
However, LSU, under head coach Brian Kelly, remains the favorite to secure Haven’s commitment, with analysts citing the Tigers’ ability to leverage greater financial resources to keep the local star at home.
Haven, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound standout, is coming off a stellar sophomore season that earned him the MaxPreps National Sophomore Football Player of the Year award. He threw for 3,137 yards, completing 63.6% of his passes (206 of 324), with 37 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
On the ground, he added 937 yards and 21 touchdowns on 170 carries, leading Dunham to a 14-1 record and a Louisiana Division III Select state title game appearance.
While Ohio State is making a strong push by hosting Haven, LSU’s proximity and financial muscle give the Tigers a significant advantage.
Recruiting analyst Adam Gorney of Rivals recently reinforced his prediction that Haven will stay with LSU, stating, “Haven already has more than a dozen offers and should have every offer he wants before decision time, but they might be coming in slowly because many believe LSU is his destiny. He’s from Baton Rouge. He’s grown very close with the LSU staff. Perhaps if offensive coordinator Joe Sloan takes a head coaching job or something totally unforeseen happens, Haven could end up elsewhere. But it would be a shock at this point.”
LSU’s recent recruiting losses, including five-star Baton Rouge native Blaine Bradford to Ohio State and five-star prospect Lamar Brown leaning toward Texas A&M, have heightened the program’s focus on retaining Haven.
Gorney noted, “LSU lost five-star Baton Rouge native Blaine Bradford to Ohio State this recruiting cycle. Five-star Baton Rouge native Lamar Brown is leaning Texas A&M over LSU right now. Haven could follow that route, but even more likely is LSU ponies up more money and reconstitutes around getting Haven so it doesn’t happen again.”
As Haven’s recruitment heats up, Ohio State’s camp visit offers the Buckeyes a chance to showcase their program, but LSU’s deep ties to the quarterback and their willingness to invest heavily in his future make them the team to beat.
