College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
One of the brightest spots in USC’s 2015 class was the trio of linebackers the Trojans were able to reel in late in the process.
In landing 5-star Osa Masina, 4-star Porter Gustin and 4-star John Houston, the team has greatly upgraded its size and athleticism in the middle level of the defense.
Steve Sarkisian and his staff are staying active with linebackers in the 2016 class, though. The Trojans offered two out-of-state standouts last week.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
According to ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, 4-star Ohio product Brendan Ferns received an offer from USC. The 6’3”, 223-pounder is rated as the nation’s second-best inside linebacker in the 2016 class.
Ferns—who also picked up an offer from Alabama, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports—has schools such as Oklahoma, Ohio State and Penn State among the programs gaining his interest at this point.
USC also offered 5-star Alabama linebacker Ben Davis—whose father, Wayne, was a star linebacker for the Tide in the '80s.
While the Tide are the early favorites for the younger Davis, programs such as Florida, Georgia and LSU are a few of the powers trying to lure him away from his home state.
The Trojans are casting a wide net in 2016, which is an expected and welcomed development given the momentum they picked up on the recruiting trail in the last cycle.
Michigan after 2016 QBs
Jim Harbaugh will look to make a splash in his first full cycle as the man charged with bringing the Michigan program back to prominence.
Last week, the Wolverines boss offered a pair of 4-star passers.
Indiana native Brandon Peters earned a tender from Harbaugh and his staff, per VanHaaren.
"Blessed to still have the opportunity to attend University of Michigan, offered by the new staff. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/qGoK24m9bJ
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) February 10, 2015"
Meanwhile, Maryland product Dwayne Haskins also picked up an offer from Michigan, according to his Twitter account.
Given the issues the program has had at quarterback in recent years, Harbaugh will look to find a long-term solution to that problem in the 2016 cycle.
Oklahoma hitting California hard
Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma staff have traditionally have had a presence in the state of California, and last week the Sooners were busy scouring the Golden State for top talent in the 2016 class.
According to Adam Gorney of Rivals, the Sooners offered a pair of 4-star receivers in Theo Howard and Jackie Jones.
"#Oklahoma has offered 2016 four-star WR Theo Howard @theohoward2 @JLMcCuistion pic.twitter.com/MtOOHGNK77
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) February 11, 2015"
"#Oklahoma has also offered 2016 four-star WR Jackie Jones from Long Beach Poly @JLMcCuistion
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) February 11, 2015"
Rounding out the newly offered California products was 4-star offensive lineman Frank Martin.
"Blessed to receive my 18th offer from Oklahoma!!! #BoomerSooner #Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/Tu1KvoGUJX
— Frankie (@Frank_martin73) February 12, 2015"
Time will tell if Oklahoma’s 2016 class will produce its share of imports from the West Coast.
Texas CB Nets Trio of Big Offers
The 2016 class of corners is deep, and one name emerging from that group is 4-star Texas native Jaylon Jones.
The 5’11”, 175-pounder who hails from Dallas-area powerhouse Allen High School picked up offers last week from Auburn, Michigan and Ohio State.
The nation’s 24th best corner in the 2016 cycle has offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Miami and Ole Miss, among others.
With all three out-of-state powers making a move on him, it will be interesting to monitor Jones’ visit plans in the spring and summer months.
Best of the Rest
- According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Miami offered a pair of 2016 3-star linebackers in Greg Simmons and Jonathan Jones. The ‘Canes also offered 2016 3-star running back Tony Jones Jr.
- Alabama offered a host of 2016 prospects last week. Per Brian Perroni of GigEm247, the Tide tendered 4-star defensive end Erick Fowler. Among the other prospects to receiver an offer from Nick Saban and his staff were 4-star athlete Trevon Diggs, 4-star corner Jared Mayden, 4-star running back and current Wisconsin pledge Antonio Williams, 4-star linebacker and current Miami pledge Shaquille Quarterman , 4-star offensive lineman Parker Boudreuax and 4-star offensive lineman Ben Bredeson.
- TCU, Texas and Texas A&M joined the Tide in offering 2016 4-star linebacker Dontavious Jackson.
- LSU offered 2016 4-star defensive end McTelvin Agim and 2016 4-star offensive lineman Clark Yarbrough.
- According to his high school coach, LSU and Clemson both offered 2016 4-star defensive end Prince Sammons.
- Florida and Georgia offered 2016 4-star receiver Binjimen Victor.
- Auburn offered 2016 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike. The Tigers also offered 2016 3-star offensive lineman Julian Santos and 2016 3-star corner Dylan Singleton.
- The Tigers joined Florida State and South Carolina in offering 2016 5-star corner Levonta Taylor.
- Florida State offered 2016 3-star wideout Keyshawn Young. The Seminoles also tendered 4-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson. Per Chris Nee of Noles247, 2016 4-star defensive end Amani Bledsoe also picked up an FSU offer.
- 2016 3-star receiver Tre Nixon had a busy week in picking up offers from Auburn, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
- Michigan State offered 2016 4-star offensive lineman Matt Farniok.
- 2016 4-star linebacker Jaquan Yulee picked up an offer from Michigan.
- Notre Dame offered 2016 4-star offensive lineman E.J. Price.
- According to Adam Gorney of Rivals, Arizona State offered 2016 3-star athlete Demetric Felton. The Sun Devils joined Texas A&M in offering 2016 4-star safety Cameron Lewis.
- Oregon offered 2016 offensive lineman Nathan Smith.
- 2016 4-star running back Tre Turner picked up an offer from Arizona.
- Gorney reports that California offered 2016 3-star quarterback Khalil Tate and 2016 4-star corner C.J. Pollard.
- According to Mike Farrell of Rivals, TCU offered 2016 4-star linebacker Michael Divinity.
- Florida State and Oklahoma offered 2016 4-star corner Byron Murphy.
- Per Bartow, Georgia offered 2017 4-star offensive lineman D’Antne Demory.
- According to Scout’s Corey Bender, Florida offered 2017 running back Kyshaun Bryan. The Gators also offered his teammate and 2017 offensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton.
- N.C. State offered 2017 4-star corner Deangelo Gibbs. The Wolfpack also offered his prep teammate and 2017 linebacker Breon Dixon.
- Florida State offered 2017 linebacker Joshua Kaindoh.
- 2018 quarterback Joey Gatewood picked up an offer from Oregon State.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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