College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
Earlier this month, James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions suffered a huge blow to their 2015 recruiting class when quarterback Brandon Wimbush decommitted and pledged to Notre Dame.
Since then, the Lions have been active on the recruiting trail, searching for a signal-caller to fill that void.
Last week, Franklin and his staff offered 3-star passer and Indiana commitment Tommy Stevens, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
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Wiltfong also reports that Stevens was the first quarterback to receive an offer following Wimbush’s defection. The interest appears to be mutual, as Stevens immediately scheduled a visit to Happy Valley for last weekend’s game versus Ohio State.
The 6’4”, 200-pound Stevens has been committed to the Hoosiers since June.
According to Kyle Neddenriep of The Indianapolis Star, Stevens visited Notre Dame earlier this month but stated that he was still 100 percent committed to Kevin Wilson and the Hoosiers.
He was in Bloomington last weekend for Indiana’s loss to Michigan State.
This development is huge for Penn State.
Stevens—who, according to MaxPreps, has accounted for 2,286 yards of total offense and 22 touchdowns this season—is a talented passer with prototypical size and enough mobility to scare defenses with his feet.
If the Lions can pull off the flip with Stevens, it would go a long way toward alleviating the blow of losing Wimbush.
2015 3-star DE Lands Ohio State Offer, Commits a Day Later
On Tuesday, Urban Meyer and his staff offered 3-star in-state defensive end Rashod Berry, who promptly committed to the Buckeyes one day later.
The 6’5” 230-pounder selected Ohio State over offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan State.
Berry is a versatile athlete who could also play tight end in Columbus.
“The (Ohio State staff) hasn’t told me what position I’ll play,” Berry told Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts (subscription required). “I really don’t know yet if it will be tight end or defensive end. I really like both of them. Whatever they want me to do is fine. If it’s possible I’d really like to play on both sides of the ball (in college).”
Berry is the 19th commitment in the Buckeyes 2015 class.
2015 ATH Heating Up
Another versatile 2015 athlete whose stock is on the rise is 3-star Sunshine State standout Javarius Davis.
Three powerhouses have entered the race to land the services of the 5’9” 180-pounder from Jacksonville, Florida.
The former North Carolina pledge was considered a lean to in-state power Florida. However, with the uncertainty surrounding the Gators program and the recent interest in Davis, expect his recruitment to blow up as signing day approaches.
2017 FSU Legacy Lands Bevy of Offers
Perhaps the nation’s most popular recruit last week was 2017 4-star corner Stanford Samuels III.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. His father, Stanford Samuels Jr., was a standout defensive back at Florida State from 1999 to 2003.
The younger Samuels picked up offers from the likes of Georgia, LSU, West Virginia, Louisville and Miami, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
While the Seminoles have yet to offer—and they stand to be a considerable factor if and when they do—the recent wave of interest is proof that Samuels figures to be one of the more coveted defensive backs in the 2017 cycle.
Best of the Rest
- Bartow reports that Ole Miss is the newest offer for 2015 4-star running back Soso Jamabo.
- Texas offered 2015 4-star safety and Alabama commitment Ronnie Harrison.
- 2015 3-star offensive lineman and LSU pledge Matt Womack received an offer from Ohio State.
- Nebraska is the latest school to offer 2015 3-star wide receiver Gary Jennings.
- 2015 3-star wide receiver Ryan Davis picked up an offer from Kansas State.
- South Carolina and Miami are the newest offers for 2015 3-star receiver Lawrence Cager.
- Georgia offered 2016 5-star corner Saivion Smith.
- 2016 4-star passer Dwayne Haskins received tenders from Duke, North Carolina and UCLA.
- Oklahoma offered 2016 4-star receiver Tyler Vaughns. Per Adam Gorney of Rivals.com, the Sooners also offered fellow junior 4-star receiver Dylan Crawford.
- According to ESPN’s Derek Tyson, Texas A&M offered 2016 4-star quarterback Shea Patterson.
- Josh Edwards of 247Sports reports that Tennessee offered 2016 4-star linebacker Emanuel Bridges.
- Per Scout’s Brandon Huffman, Miami is the latest offer for 2016 4-star linebacker Lokeni Toailoa.
- LSU and Mississippi State are the newest offers for 2016 4-star receiver Donnie Corley. Mississippi State also offered another 2016 4-star pass-catcher in Austin Mack. According to Scout’s Corey Bender, the Bulldogs also tendered 2016 3-star safety Craig Watts. Wiltfong reports that MSU also offered 2016 4-star linebacker and USC pledge Daelin Hayes.
- Michigan State is the newest offer for 2016 4-star receiver Ahmir Mitchell.
- According to Steve Lorenz of Wolverine247, Ole Miss offered 2016 4-star defensive tackle Michael Williams.
- Scout’s Greg Biggins reports that UCLA offered 2016 3-star linebacker Camilo Eifler. Per Gorney, Washington also offered Eifler last week. Huffman reports that the Bruins also offered 3-star junior offensive lineman Kieffer Longson.
- Per Biggins, Notre Dame offered 2016 3-star athlete and UCLA pledge Michael Pittman.
- Penn State offered 2016 4-star defensive tackle Ellison Jordan.
- According to Josh Newberg of Noles247, Florida State offered 2016 3-star linebacker Demarco Boyd, who is the younger brother of 2015 4-star corner and fellow FSU target Kris Boyd.
- ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton reports that Georgia offered 2017 4-star corner Shaun Wade. Hamilton also notes that the Bulldogs offered 2018 athlete Tyreke Johnson, Wade's prep teammate.
- Ohio State offered 2017 offensive lineman Jean Delance. Wiltfong reports that the Buckeyes also tendered 2017 defensive lineman Joshua Paschal.
- Miami offered 2017 4-star corner Deangelo Gibbs.
- Arizona State and Texas Tech are the latest schools to offer 2018 quarterback and Washington commit Tate Martell.
- Maryland and Clemson are the newest offers for 2018 running back Ricky Slade.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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