College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
With colleges across the nation now fully immersed in scouting top talent in the 2016 class, a handful of schools have focused their efforts on need positions in this cycle.
For example, Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers are aggressively targeting the offensive line in their current class.
Last week, the Tigers offered five offensive linemen.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Their spree in the trenches began with an offer to 4-star Virginia tackle Clark Yarbrough.
The 6’5”, 255-pounder told Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover that he’s very interested in the Tigers program.
"Picked up an offer from Auburn! #WDE #AuburnFast
— Clark Yarbrough (@ClarkYarbrough) February 16, 2015"
“I’ve watched them a lot on TV,” Yarbrough told Niebuhr. “Their offense fits me very well with how much they have their guys pull, and move east and west. And, I like how fast they go."
The Tigers also offered fellow 4-star tackle prospects Michal Menet and Jean Delance, who is committed to Oklahoma.
Interior prospects who received Auburn offers last week include 4-star and current LSU pledge Donavaughn Campbell and 3-star Chris Owens.
Auburn brought in five offensive linemen in its 2015 class, and it looks like the Tigers are positioning themselves to land another solid group of big uglies in the trenches.
Ohio State Hands out Defensive Offers
Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes are off to a fast start in their 2016 recruiting class.
Last week, the Buckeyes seemed to focus their efforts on some of the top prospects from in Georgia and Tennessee.
According to Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts, Meyer and his staff tendered 4-star defensive backs Marlon Character and Nygel Edmonds.
Additionally, another defender from the Atlanta area who earned an offer was 4-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson.
Finally, the Bucks headed out to the West Coast to offer 4-star linebacker Curtis Robinson, according to Scout’s Greg Biggins. Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that Georgia and UCLA also offered Robinson.
Coming off the momentum of a national title, the Buckeyes are likely to gain more traction with prospects all over the country, and they are doing their part by casting a wider net with their early offers on defense.
Michigan Offers 2016 In-State RB
Michigan is a school that has been very active in the early periods of the 2016 cycle.
Last week, Jim Harbaugh and his staff handed out an offer to in-state 4-star running back Matthew Falcon.
As Clint Brewster of Wolverine247 notes, Falcon is a big back at 6’1”, 215 pounds who has an intriguing blend of size and speed.
The Wolverines join the likes Minnesota, NC State, Ohio State and Tennessee as a few of Falcon’s most notable offers.
Time will tell if the state of Michigan’s sixth-best prospect in the 2016 class will eventually land in Ann Arbor.
FSU Offers 5-Star Alabama Duo
Florida State is one powerhouse who is actively involved with a number of elite recruits early in the 2016 cycle.
Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles threw their hat into the ring with another pair of 5-stars last week when they offered 5-star defensive end Marlon Davidson and 5-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson.
Both players hail from Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama.
Early in the process, both Alabama and Auburn recruited both standout defenders aggressively. But the Noles are hoping to get their foot in the door with two of the nation’s top players at their respective positions.
Best of the Rest
- Alabama offered a host of prospects early in the week, as noted by B/R’s Marc Torrence. Additional 2016 recruits to net offers from the Tide include 4-star defensive end Khalid Kareem, 4-star running back Devwah Whaley and 3-star offensive lineman Chris Owens. According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, 3-star athlete Jamel Cook also picked up an offer from the Tide.
- 2016 4-star corner Chad Clay picked up an offer from Florida. The Gators also offered linebacker Vosean Joseph, who committed to Jim McElwain shortly afterward.
- According to Mike Farrell of Rivals, LSU offered 2016 4-star safety Nigel Warrior. The Tigers also offered 2016 4-star tight end Naseir Upshur.
- Georgia offered 2016 3-star receiver Bryan Edwards.
- 2016 3-star offensive lineman Riley Anderson earned an offer from Missouri.
- Wisconsin offered 2016 3-star linebacker Cameron Brown. The Badgers also offered 4-star safety Eric Burrell and corner Korey Banks.
- 2016 4-star linebacker Michael Divinity picked up an offer from Nebraska.
- Gorney reports that Michigan offered 2016 4-star receiver Steffon McKnight. The Wolverines also offered 2016 4-star corner Nigel Knott.
- 2016 3-star linebacker Julian Okwara picked up offers from Michigan and Notre Dame.
- Oklahoma dipped into California again to offer 2016 4-star safety Brandon Burton and 4-star quarterback K.J. Costello.
- Gorney reports that the Sooners also offered 2016 4-star linebacker Krys Barnes. Barnes also received an offer from Arizona State, per Scout’s Brandon Huffman.
- The Sun Devils offered 2016 3-star receiver Kofi Boateng and 4-star receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe.
- 2016 4-star offensive lineman Matt Farniok was also by Arizona State. According to Chris Nee of Noles247, Florida State also offered Farniok.
- Jason Jewell of Scout reports that UCLA offered 2016 4-star defensive tackle Garrett Rand.
- Texas offered a pair of 2016 5-stars in corner Saivion Smith and offensive lineman Willie Allen. The Longhorns also offered Smith’s teammate, 4-star corner Khalil Ladler.
- 2016 5-star receiver Nate Craig-Myers picked up an offer from Baylor.
- 2016 4-star linebacker and current FSU pledge Emmett Rice picked up an offer from Miami.
- Clemson is the latest offer for 2016 3-star offensive lineman Tyler Pritchett.
- According to Brian Perroni of GigEm247, Florida State offered 2016 4-star defensive end Isaiah Chambers.
- The Seminoles joined Penn State in offering 2016 4-star corner Chauncey Gardner.
- 2016 4-star linebacker Jaquan Yulee earned offers from both FSU and Alabama.
- Florida State offered Yulee’s prep teammate, 2017 4-star athlete Devon Hunter.
- 2017 athlete Jeffrey Okudah picked up an offer from Oklahoma.
- Auburn, Florida and North Carolina offered 2017 4-star receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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