College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
A quick glance at Oregon’s 2015 recruiting class shows that Mark Helfrich and the Ducks expanded their reach into the southeastern part of the country.
The Ducks signed four prospects who hail from SEC country—including a pair from Georgia.
Helfrich and his staff are back at it in the Peach State as they offered a trio of 4-star prospects who are Georgia natives.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The Ducks offered 4-star quarterback Jawon Pass, who checks in as the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat passer in the 2016 class.
"Blessed to have an Oregon offer!!
— Jawon Pass (@Puma_Blessed2) February 24, 2015"
A pair of Peach State defenders also netted offers from the Ducks in defensive end Chidi Okonya and linebacker Tre Lamar.
For his part, the 6’4”, 240-pound Lamar was excited to hear from the defending Pac-12 champions.
“I got the offer from Coach Chins [Erik Chinander] at Oregon,” Lamar told Bleacher Report recently. “They are just a winning program. They’re well-coached. They have awesome facilities. They have a lot to offer, so that’s why I like Oregon.”
While it remains to be seen whether any of the three prospects will seriously consider the Ducks, it's clear the Oregon staff is comfortable pursuing prospects all over the country.
Considering the program’s rise in recent years, it’s also clear that an offer from the Ducks will hold weight with recruits regardless of where they are from.
USC after In-State OLs
USC is looking to bring in another top-flight class after landing the No. 2 class in 2015.
Steve Sarkisian and his staff tendered a pair of 4-star offensive linemen who are Golden State natives.
Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that the Trojans offered Jonah Williams last week.
"Grateful to receive a dream offer from The University of Southern California #usc #trojans #FightOn @CoachSark pic.twitter.com/IH0SA9Q1H6
— Frank Martin II (@Frank_martin73) February 26, 2015"
The Trojans also tendered fellow lineman Frank Martin.
Both Williams and Martin rate among the nation’s top 15 prospects at offensive tackle in the 2016 cycle.
Oklahoma Chasing 2016 DBs
Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners have had a great tradition of developing defensive backs since he’s been in Norman.
The Sooners are actively pursuing top targets in the secondary for the 2016 class, and they offered a trio of standouts last week.
Oklahoma offered 4-star corners Nigel Knott and Chauncey Gardner—who also netted offers from LSU and Georgia last week—and 4-star defensive back Joejuan Williams, who also picked up a Notre Dame offer.
With their aggressiveness in pursuing elite defensive backs, the Sooners are hoping to land a strong crop of defenders in the secondary in the 2016 class.
LSU After Another IMG Academy Defender
Perhaps the biggest news on the recruiting trail last week was LSU’s huge commitment from 2016 5-star corner Saivion Smith.
Last week, Les Miles and his staff tendered fellow IMG Academy standout and 4-star defensive end Rahshaun Smith.
"Blessed To Receive A Scholarship From #LSU #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/AR9HwlgujE
— Humble & Hungry 〽️ (@Nextlevel_shaq) February 25, 2015"
The 6’3”, 225-pounder is an athletic defender who could play outside linebacker or defensive end at the next level.
With Smith already on board, the Tigers have a potential ace in the hole with their pursuit of the nation’s No. 61 overall prospect in the 2016 cycle.
Best of the Rest
- Alabama offered a pair of 2016 defensive studs from Florida in 4-star safety Craig Watts and 3-star defensive end Keyshon Camp.
- Demetric Warren of VarsityPreps reports that Georgia offered 3-star linebacker Jonathan Jones. The Bulldogs also offered linebacker Terrance Harris.
- LSU offered 2016 4-star quarterback Jarrett Gaurantano, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. The Tigers also offered 4-star offensive lineman and current Oklahoma pledge Jean Delance.
- Tennessee is the latest offer for 2016 4-star corner John Broussard.
- 2016 4-star receiver Donnie Corley picked up an offer from Ole Miss.
- Texas A&M offered 2016 4-star defensive lineman Emmit Gooden. The Aggies also offered 2016 4-star corner Jaylon Jones.
- Ross Martin of 247Sports reports that Florida State offered 2016 3-star offensive lineman Landon Dickerson. Chris Nee of Noles247 notes that the Seminoles also offered 2016 3-star offensive lineman Luke Elder. The ‘Noles also offered 4-star offensive lineman Michael Eletise.
- Bartow reports that Florida State also tendered 2016 3-star corner Carlos Becker. Scout’s Corey Bender reports that Ohio State also offered Becker.
- Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports notes that Miami offered 2016 4-star safety Nigel Warrior.
- Bender reports that Penn State offered 2016 3-star safety Devin Studstill.
- Nebraska has offered 2016 4-star offensive lineman Nathan Smith. The Cornhuskers also offered 2016 4-star tight end Luke Farrell.
- 2016 3-star corner Patrick Johnson II picked up an offer from Iowa.
- Oklahoma offered 2016 4-star running back Trayveon Williams.
- 2016 4-star linebacker Bryce Youngquist picked up offers from Oklahoma and Oregon.
- UCLA offered 2016 4-star linebacker Dontavious Jackson.
- The Bruins joined West Virginia in offering 2016 4-star running back Matthew Falcon.
- USC offered 2016 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike. The Trojans also offered 2016 4-star tight end Naseir Upshur.
- 2016 4-star athlete Mecole Hardman picked up offers from Notre Dame and Missouri.
- Michigan and Louisville are the newest offers for 2016 3-star linebacker Erroll Thompson.
- Georgia offered 2017 4-star receiver Jerry Jeudy. The Bulldogs also offered 2017 athlete Deejay Dallas, per Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247.
- Michigan State offered 2017 4-star linebacker Anthony Hines.
- 2017 quarterback Jack Walker picked up an offer from Miami.
- Gatorbait’s Luke Stampini reports that Florida offered 2017 corner Nick Roberts.
- 2017 4-star running back Najee Harris picked up an offer from TCU, per Scout’s Brandon Huffman.
- Florida State and Auburn offered 2017 athlete Jeffrey Okudah.
- Clemson offered 2017 corner Meshael Custis.
- 2017 4-star corner Stanford Samuels III picked up an offer from Michigan.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
