College Football Teams Whose 2015 Recruiting Focus Is Primarily Offense
Unlike the NFL draft, the college football recruiting process gives coaches and teams a chance to bring in quality and quantity with most schools bringing in 20-25 prospects with each cycle.
However, there are cases where teams still have to focus on more than taking the best player available.
With the offensive explosion that has enveloped the sport in recent years, many teams across the country are looking to beef up their talent on that side of the ball in the 2015 cycle.
Which schools are primarily focusing on adding quarterback, running backs, receivers and offensive linemen in their 2015 classes?
*Teams listed in alphabetical order.
Auburn
1 of 7Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 11/20
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 5-star OT Martez Ivey, 4-star WR Christian Kirk, 4-star WR Darius Slayton
Gus Malzahn has quickly established himself as one of college football’s most brilliant offensive minds.
After unleashing his spread offense upon the SEC last season, Malzahn and his staff are looking to replenish their attack with some new weapons and a fresh crop of big bodies up front.
Eleven of the Tigers’ 20 commitments are slated to land on the offensive side of the ball—including Jason Smith and Kerryon Johnson who are listed as athletes, but are likely to play on offense.
The Tigers are still pursuing elite talents on that side of the ball, with receiver and offensive line among their top remaining needs.
Regardless of how the Tigers finish, Malzahn has already taken a huge step toward ensuring that his offense will keep lighting up the scoreboard for years to come with the group he’s already assembled in the Tigers 2015 class.
Florida State
2 of 7Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 11/20
Top Offensive Targets Remaining: 4-star RB Jacques Patrick, 4-star WR Da’Vante Phillips, 4-star OL Jalen Merrick
Jimbo Fisher was able to rebuild Florida State’s proud program by first winning big on the recruiting trail. After capturing the 2013 BCS national title, the 'Noles are once again poised to bring in a loaded class next February.
FSU—whose class currently sits at No. 2 nationally—already has some of the nation's top skill talent and offensive linemen primed to land in Tallahassee next fall.
Fisher has commitments from three of the nation's top quarterbacks in 4-star Deondre Francois, 3-star De'Andre Johnson and 4-star Kai Locksley.
Running back Johnny Frasier and receiver George Campbell are among the nation's 10 best players at their respective positions. Plus, the 'Noles have three solid pledges from offensive linemen—including one from 4-star tackle prospect Abdul Bello.
With targets such as 4-star running back Jacques Patrick and 4-star receiver Da'Vante Phillips appearing to be heavy 'Nole leans, Fisher is poised to restock the Seminoles offense with plenty of firepower in this cycle.
Miami
3 of 7
Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 16/22
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 4-star TE Devonaire Clarington, 4-star ATH Tim Irvin, 4-star OL Jalen Merrick
With 16 of their 22 current commitments from players who line up on offense, it’s clear to see that the top priority for Al Golden with Miami’s 2015 recruiting class was to upgrade the talent on that side of the ball.
Specifically, the running back and offensive line segments were targeted early on by Golden and his staff.
Jordan Scarlett is the headliner in a trio of 4-star running backs scheduled to land in Coral Gables. With seven offensive linemen already committed, the 'Canes also have perhaps the nation’s top crop of big uglies for the 2015 cycle.
Additionally, quarterback pledge Dwayne Lawson is an intriguing talent who may be one of the most underappreciated signal-callers in this class.
Considering that Miami sits in a good position with South Florida standouts such as 4-star tight end Devonaire Clarington and 4-star athlete Tim Irvin, the 'Canes offense should be among the most talented and potent groups in the ACC over the next few years.
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Oregon
4 of 7Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 10/13
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 5-star WR Tyron Johnson, 4-star WR Kirk Merritt, 4-star ATH Donte Jackson.
It should come as no surprise to see Oregon among the schools pushing to reload their roster with top offensive talent.
Mark Helfrich and the Ducks have 10 of their 13 commitments scheduled to end up on offense in Eugene.
Four-star running back Taj Griffin, 4-star receiver Alex Ofodile and 4-star quarterback Travis Waller, plus a crop of five standouts along the offensive line, headline that list.
The Ducks are still recruiting a trio of explosive receiver prospects from Louisiana in 5-star Tyron Johnson and 4-stars Kirk Merritt and Donte Jackson.
Regardless of how the Ducks close their 2015 class, it’s clear that the identity of their program will remain on the offensive side of the ball in the near future.
Texas
5 of 7
Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 9/15
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 4-star ATH/RB Chris Warren, 4-star WR Ryan Newsome
Charlie Strong is in the middle of reshaping the culture of Texas football less than a year after being tabbed to succeed Mack Brown in Austin.
While Strong made his reputation as a defensive coach before arriving in the Lone Star State, the primary focus in his first full cycle has been to upgrade the 'Horns talent on offense.
Four-star quarterback Zach Gentry could be the 'Horns quarterback of the future, while 4-star Florida speedster John Burt is one of the most explosive receivers in the country. Additionally, the Longhorns have five commitments from offensive linemen and a pair of solid running backs already in the fold for 2015.
With in-state standouts such as running back Chris Warren still in their sights, Strong is beginning the process of overhauling the offense with the 2015 recruiting class.
UCLA
6 of 7Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 8/15
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 4-star WR Cordell Broadus, 4-star RB Soso Jamabo, 4-star OL Zach Robertson
UCLA entered the 2014 season as a trendy pick to win the Pac-12 and compete for a spot in the new four-team playoff, and the buzz around the Bruins program has carried over to the recruiting trail.
Jim Mora Jr. has put together a strong 2015 class to date, headlined by the nation's top quarterback Josh Rosen. Four-star tight end pledge Aliz'e Jones and a trio of 4-star offensive linemen highlight what has been a strong class of offensive talent heading to Westwood.
Additionally, the Bruins are in the thick of the race with national recruits such as 4-star receiver Cordell Broadus, 4-star running back Soso Jamabo and 4-star offensive lineman Zach Robertson.
If the Bruins can add another offensive lineman and one or two elite pass-catchers, Mora will be primed to keep the Bruins among the Pac-12's elite.
USC
7 of 7Offensive Commitments/Total Commitments: 11/16
Top Remaining Offensive Targets: 4-star WR Cordell Broadus, 4-star WR Equanimeous St. Brown, 4-star WR Kanya Bell
Steve Sarkisian's arrival in Los Angeles earlier this year signaled a new beginning for a USC program that has been mired in a period of turbulence since Pete Carroll's departure.
Sarkisian and his staff were able to close the 2014 class strong, and the Trojans have gotten off to a fast start with the 2015 cycle.
Leading the charge is 5-star offensive tackle commit Chuma Edoga and 4-star quarterback pledge Ricky Town—both of whom are the headliners in a class that has added talent across the board on offense.
The Trojans aren’t done on that side of the ball either. Despite limited scholarships and three pass-catchers already committed, expect Sarkisian and his staff to be aggressive in landing more receivers.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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