College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
The coaching carousel has already had an effect on the recruiting trail, and one coach who is already starting fast in his new home is Nebraska head coach Mike Riley.
Riley and his staff have been busy trying to finish the 2015 class on a strong note.
The ‘Huskers offered a trio of 2015 prospects in 4-star running back Jordan Cronkrite, 3-star linebacker and Wisconsin commit Jordan Griffin and 4-star receiver Lavan Alston.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Cronkrite and Griffin are among the top prospects from the state of Florida, while Alston is an explosive talent out of California.
According to Evan Flood of Badgers247 (subscription required), Griffin is well aware of Nebraska’s storied tradition.
"It came out of nowhere," said Griffin. "I know coach Pelini (Bo Pelini) just got fired this year. They're bringing in a new staff. I know they're a pretty decent program and they play big time football."
Of the three players, Riley may have the best chance to land Alston—who was close to committing to Oregon State while Riley was in Corvallis, as noted by Mike Schaefer of HuskersIllustrated.
Their forays into two of the top talent-producing states could help lay the groundwork for the ‘Huskers in future classes.
2015 DE Earns Miami Offer After Decommit from SEC School
The interest is beginning to swell in 3-star defensive end Dylan Jackson after he decommitted from Tennessee earlier this month.
The 6’6”, 245-pounder picked up offers from Boise State and Miami last week.
LSU and Stanford appear to be the favorites for one of the top players in the state of Tennessee.
However, with signing day approaching, Jackson’s offer list may swell as teams looking for pass-rushers continue to inquire about him.
Kentucky Offers Pair of 2016 Florida Skill Players
Dating back to his days as an assistant at Miami and Florida State, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops is familiar with the landscape when it comes to recruiting top talent out of the Sunshine State.
He and his staff extended to a pair of standout juniors from Florida.
According to Josh Edwards of TheCatsPause247, the Wildcats tendered 4-star receiver Eli Stove.
"Just received an offer from the University of Kentucky #Blessed #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/GmEBawOLZm
— T4⃣ (@Tonnjoness) December 23, 2014"
Three-star running back Tony Jones Jr. also picked up an offer from Stoops.
While it’s still early in the process for the 2016 class, Kentucky is making sure its presence is felt in the Sunshine State.
Auburn after 2016 South Carolina Pledge
One of the top athletes in the 2016 class is 4-star Georgia product and current South Carolina commitment Kyle Davis.
The 6’3”, 220-pounder—who could play receiver or safety at the next level—earned an offer from Auburn last week.
"Blessed to have gotten an offer from Auburn this morning!! #WDE
— KD (@KDSZN) December 21, 2014"
According to Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover, Davis was excited about his newest offer.
"I like the environment there," Davis told Niebuhr. "I love the coaches. Everything is just nice down there. And it's like two hours away so it's close."
While he’s still committed to Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks, Auburn joins Georgia as fellow SEC powers hoping to get Davis to flip his original pledge.
Best of the Rest
- According to Scout’s Greg Biggins, Oklahoma State offered 3-star defensive tackle and current Wisconsin commitment Olive Sagapolu.
- Brian Perroni of GigEm247 reports that SMU offered 2015 corner Antoine Stephens.
- Illinois is the newest offer for 2015 3-star running back Shi’Kim Coward, according to Corey Bender of Scout.
- Pittsburgh offered 2016 4-star defensive end Malik Barrow, according to Edwards.
- According to Ross Martin of 247Sports, Tennessee offered 2016 offensive lineman Luke Elder.
- Missouri offered 2016 offensive lineman Nathan Smith, according to Brandon Huffman of Scout. Bender reports that Gary Pinkel and the Tigers also offered fellow 2016 offensive lineman Jaylen Miller.
- Per Huffman, Arizona State offered 2016 3-star defensive end Jonah Williams.
- Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reports that North Carolina is the newest offer for 2016 3-star defensive end Khalid Kareem.
- 2016 3-star linebacker Keith Simms picked up an offer from Virginia.
- West Virginia offered 2016 3-star running back Tre Harbison.
- Andrew Kulha of Hawkeyes247 reports that Iowa offered 2016 defensive end Jordon Robertson.
- 2017 athlete Derrick Smith picked up offers from Cincinnati and North Carolina, per Bender.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
