Gavin Cupp Earns OSU Offer After Having MSU Offer Pulled for Visiting Buckeyes

An established Big Ten recruiting rivalry gained another dynamic this week with how Ohio State and Michigan State have dealt with offensive lineman Gavin Cupp.

The 6'5", 270-pound prospect approached last weekend as a member of the Spartans' 2016 class, but he now appears more likely to attend college in Columbus than East Lansing.

Days after Michigan State reportedly pulled Cupp's scholarship offer after a visit to Ohio State, Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer extended one. The opportunity arrived Thursday, according to Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com.

"It's just a huge relief and a childhood dream," Cupp told Wasserman.

Cupp, a senior at Leipsic High School, lives approximately two hours away from campus. The Buckeyes quickly emerged as a new favorite to land his commitment, claiming 88 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

Ohio State already holds three offensive line pledges in its top-ranked 2016 recruiting class. Cupp could soon add to the collection, though there are other schools under consideration.

Virginia, Pittsburgh and Missouri are among programs that offered earlier in the process. 

He seemingly wrapped up his recruitment in May with a commitment to Michigan State. Cupp took a calculated risk visiting Ohio State on July 24 for its annual Friday Night Lights event, especially if he didn't first notify the Spartans staff, as 247Sports' Sean Scherer reported.

Some college coaches draw a line in the sand during recruiting efforts, and offers can be rescinded when players step over that line. That apparently became the case between Cupp and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio.

The Spartans found his replacement Monday, picking up a pledge from fellow Ohio offensive lineman AJ Arcuri.

Cupp, rated 48th nationally among offensive guards in 247Sports' composite rankings, is considered the 19th-best prospect in the Buckeyes' home state.

An offer from Ohio State should help validate the decision to visit Columbus for Cupp, who undoubtedly faced some adversity this week when news broke. Now he may ultimately travel to East Lansing at the next level as an opponent.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.