College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
Fresh off their national title win, Urban Meyer and his staff at Ohio State are pounding the pavement on the recruiting trail in hopes of finishing the 2015 cycle strong and laying the groundwork for the 2016 class.
The Buckeyes began the week by offering 3-star defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, who was previously committed to Kentucky, according to Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.
The 6’3”, 285-pounder flipped to the Buckeyes shortly afterward.
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The Buckeyes are nailing down the final spots in their 2015 class, but the 2016 cycle is just beginning to heat up.
Meyer and his staff offered a trio of out-of-state standouts who are set to begin their senior seasons on the prep level.
Among those to net a Buckeyes offer is the nation’s top overall prospect for 2016, 5-star offensive tackle Gregory Little. The current Texas A&M commit tweeted out the news of the Ohio State offer:
Meyer also targeted a pair of 2016 defensive ends.
Scout.com’s Corey Bender reports that 4-star Florida native Patrick Bethel picked up an offer from the Buckeyes.
Michigan standout and 3-star DE Khalid Kareem was also tendered by Meyer and his staff. The Buckeyes will have to fight off some competition from other schools for Kareem, who was also offered by Notre Dame last week.
The Buckeyes are already off to a fast start in the 2016 cycle, and their flurry of activity last week is proof that their sights are set on making a run at the nation’s top class.
Texas A&M After 2016 Studs
Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M are wrapping up another strong class, but the Aggies hosted a number of top prospects for a junior day recently.
Brian Perroni of GigEm247 reports that among the 2016 standouts to receive an offer from the Aggies were 4-star defensive tackle Briston Guidry, 4-star running back Tre Turner and 3-star running back Trayveon Williams.
According to Adam Gorney of Rivals, 4-star offensive lineman Frank Martin was another 2016 recruit offered by Texas A&M. Fellow California native and 4-star quarterback KJ Costello also earned an offer from Sumlin and his staff.
The Aggies got off to a quick start for the 2015 class, and they’re hoping to repeat that with the 2016 cycle.
Florida Nets 2016 Pledge
The Florida Gators have struggled to make waves in the 2015 class, but new head coach Jim McElwain and his staff were busy last week tendering top underclassmen.
Included in that group was in-state receiver Rick Wells, according to ESPN’s Derek Tyson. It didn’t take long for the 6’0’, 185-pounder to jump on the offer from the home-state power, as he announced his commitment to Florida via his Twitter account:
Wells became the third commitment in the Gators' 2016 class.
Florida State, USC Among Those After 2016 Golden State Star
Serra High School in Gardena, California, is no stranger to producing big-time prospects.
The 2015 class from Serra High includes standouts such as 5-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green and 4-star linebacker John Houston.
The next man up from Serra may be 3-star dual-threat quarterback Khalil Tate, who announced his recruiting offer from Florida State via Twitter:
That trio of offers pushed his list to four. With heavyweights such as the Trojans and Seminoles showing interest, Tate’s list is likely to expand even more in the coming months.
Best of the Rest
- Bender reports that Michigan offered 2015 3-star running back and current Iowa pledge Karan Higdon.
- According to Justin Hopkins of 247Sports, 2015 3-star defensive end and current Oregon commit Gus Cumberlander received offers from Florida, Miami and North Carolina State.
- Florida offered 2015 defensive end Luke Ancrum, per GatorBait’s Luke Stampini. Ancrum moved quickly to make his decision, committing to the Gators on Sunday.
- Georgia offered offered 2016 3-star tight end Jacob Mathis.
- Texas A&M and Arizona State are the newest offers for 2016 3-star linebacker Curtis Robinson, per Gorney.
- 2016 3-star wide receiver Joshua Hammond picked up offers from Miami and Notre Dame.
- Florida offered 2016 4-star receiver Tyler Vaughns and 4-star defensive end Janarius Robinson, who is currently a Florida State pledge. The Gators also offered 2016 3-star linebacker Dominique Ross, per Tyson.
- Alabama and NC State offered 2016 4-star receiver Dredrick Snelson.
- Louisville and Mississippi State have offered 2016 wideout Kolby Easley, per his head coach at Northview (Alabama) High School, LaBrian Stewart.
- 2016 4-star corner Trayvon Mullen picked up offers from Georgia and TCU. The Horned Frogs also offered his prep teammate at Coconut Creek (Florida) High School, 2016 4-star receiver Binjimen Victor.
- Oklahoma offered 2016 3-star running back Abdul Adams.
- According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Louisville offered 2016 4-star offensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.
- Arizona State is the newest offer for 2016 3-star athlete Robbie Robinson.
- Arizona offered 2016 3-star safety Calvin Bundage.
- 2016 3-star linebacker Lamar Winston was offered by Oregon.
- 2016 athlete Carlos Becker was offered by Kentucky and Pittsburgh, according to Mike Farrell of Rivals.com. Bender reports that Michigan State also offered Becker.
- Michigan State offered a trio of underclassmen teammates at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, per Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports. 2016 5-star defensive tackle Julian Rochester, 2016 tight end Christian Roberson and 2017 4-star quarterback Bailey Hockman were all offered by the Spartans.
- Hopkins reports that Michigan offered 2016 3-star corner David Long. Oregon also offered Long, per Gorney.
- Florida State and Maryland offered 2016 4-star offensive lineman Tyler Gerald, who is currently committed to Ohio State.
- Mississippi State offered 2016 3-star safety Spencer Perry.
- Gorney reports that Alabama offered 2017 4-star running back Najee Harris. Harris also picked up an offer from USC, per Bartow. Along with Harris, the Crimson Tide offered 2017 athletes Malcolm Askew and Alaric Williams, plus linebacker Jaden Hunter.
- Florida offered a quartet of 2017 studs. Perroni reports that 4-star linebacker Anthony Hines received an offer from the Gators. Per Tyson, the Gators also tendered 4-star corner and current Ohio State commit Shaun Wade. Fellow Ohio State commit and 4-star athlete Bruce Judson joined Wade in receiving an offer from Florida. Finally, Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reports that the Gators offered running back Michael Carter.
- Penn State offered 2017 4-star receiver Emmanuel Greene. Per Bender, the Nittany Lions also offered 2017 4-star offensive lineman Calvin Ashley.
- Tyson reports that Florida also offered 2018 athlete Tyreke Johnson.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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