College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
It’s safe to say that USC has emerged from its recent stretch of NCAA sanctions to regain its status as one of the nation’s premier recruiting powerhouses.
Fresh off the heels of signing the nation’s No. 2 class in the 2015 cycle, Steve Sarkisian and his staff are busy laying the groundwork for success in the 2016 and 2017 classes.
Last week, the Trojans threw their hat in the ring with a handful of the nation’s top rising juniors.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
In fact, four of the nation’s top 30 prospects in the 2017 class earned offers from USC.
The Trojans offered a pair of defensive line standouts in 5-star defensive end A.J. Epenesa and 4-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
Epenesa rates as the No. 2 player overall in the 2017 class, while Wilson—who also netted offers last week from Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee and UCLA—checks in at No. 13 overall.
"Blessed to have 3 offers in one day from Michigan, Tennessee, and Oklahoma #wayupboy pic.twitter.com/CxhKifFMDV
— #headhuntin (@my_moment83) March 10, 2015"
Sarkisian also tendered 4-star quarterback Shawn Robinson, per Brian Perroni of 247Sports, and 4-star athlete Maleik Gray.
Robinson is the nation’s top dual-threat passer in the 2017 class and the No. 15 player overall, while Gray—who was also offered by the Wolverines—rates as the nation’s top athlete.
It’s still early for 2017 recruits, but USC is clearly being aggressive in identifying the top targets in the country for the 2017 cycle.
Given the momentum within the program, expect elite out-of-state recruits such as this quartet to give the Trojans a strong look over the next few months.
Alabama Hits California for 2016
Nick Saban leaves no stone unturned in his effort to keep Alabama’s roster among the nation’s most talented outfits.
Last week, he and his staff turned to the West Coast—specifically the state of California—to offer two of the nation’s top 100 prospects in the 2016 class.
Scout’s Brandon Huffman reports that the Tide offered 4-star offensive lineman Jonah Williams. The 6’5”, 272-pounder is the nation’s No. 9 offensive tackle prospect and the No. 73 player overall in the 2016 class.
Another Golden State standout who received an Alabama offer was 5-star wideout Tyler Vaughns.
The 6’3”, 175-pounder—who is rated as the nation’s No. 2 pass-catcher—hauled in 83 passes for 1,578 yards as a junior.
Given the Tide’s recent history in attracting explosive receivers, the offer is likely one that Vaughns is bound to seriously consider.
FSU JUCO Commit Nets Trio of Impressive Offers
Last week, Florida State landed a pledge from 4-star JUCO linebacker Tyree Horton.
It appears the ‘Noles found a diamond in the rough before the rest of the nation, as Horton’s stock has seemingly exploded in the last couple of weeks.
"Just got offered by Oklahoma #Blessed pic.twitter.com/aNrRSlxG2B
— Tyree Horton (@Thorton_10) March 10, 2015"
While Horton has given no indicators that he is wavering on his pledge to the ‘Noles, the new wave of interest is likely to keep FSU on its toes in its quest to keep his commitment.
Michigan Offers Pair of 2016 Georgia Skill Standouts
Jim Harbaugh has been aggressive in handing out offers all over the country for the 2016 class.
Last week was another busy week for the Wolverines staff, as they were active in the Peach State in offering a pair of skill standouts from Georgia.
2016 4-star athlete Mecole Hardman and 3-star tight end Christian Roberson, per Steve Lorenz of Wolverine247, both netted offers from the Wolverines.
Hardman, who could play either receiver or corner at the next level, has a trio of SEC powers in Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn as schools standing out for him currently.
On the other hand, Roberson—who has picked up offers from Michigan State, Florida and Missouri since January—is still in the beginning stages of his recruitment.
Regardless, the Wolverines are making a concerted effort to target top athletes around the country, regardless of region.
Best of the Rest
Alabama is the newest offer for 2016 4-star offensive lineman Jean Delance—who decommitted from Oklahoma last week, per B/R’s Damon Sayles.
2016 4-star tight end Devin Asiasi picked up an offer from Auburn, according to Adam Gorney of Rivals.
The Tigers joined Stanford in offering 2016 4-star safety Damar Hamlin.
Florida offered 2016 3-star running back Brandon Stephens.
2016 4-star quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was offered by Mississippi State.
USC, Arizona State and UCLA all offered 2016 4-star athlete Melquise Stovall.
Oregon offered 2016 4-star athlete Brandon Burton. The Ducks also offered 2016 4-star linebacker Darrian Franklin.
The Ducks joined Stanford in offering 2016 3-star corner Troy Warner.
Scout’s Greg Biggins reports that Oregon State offered 2016 4-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku.
Stanford and Florida State offered 2016 4-star linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch.
2016 4-star athlete Ahmir Mitchell picked up an offer from Wisconsin.
Michigan and California are the newest offers for 2016 4-star receiver Jack Jones.
2016 4-star defensive tackle and current Baylor commitment Jordan Elliott picked up offers from Michigan and Florida State.
Penn State offered 2016 4-star safety Craig Watts.
2016 3-star running back Abdul Adams was offered by Iowa.
The Hawkeyes joined Louisville in offering 2016 running back Malik Staples.
Florida State offered 2016 4-star linebacker Dontavious Jackson.
Washington offered 2017 4-star athlete Thomas Graham, per Adam Gorney of Rivals.
Gorney reports that Michigan offered 2017 4-star teammates in athlete Greg Johnson and receiver Joseph Lewis. The Wolverines also offered offensive lineman Jake Moretti.
Miami offered 2017 4-star receiver Trevon Grimes.
Andrew Bone of Rivals reports that Clemson offered 2017 athlete Malcolm Askew.
The Tigers joined Florida in offering 2017 4-star corner Stanford Samuels III.
According to Adam Friedman of Rivals, Alabama and Auburn offered 2017 running back Khalan Laborn.
The Tide also offered fellow 2017 running back Cordarrian Richardson, per Barton Simmons of 247Sports.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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