College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week

Ever since Texas A&M arrived in the SEC in 2012, more of the league’s members have began to roam the Lone Star State in search of top talent.

While Auburn hasn’t had a huge presence in the state of Texas with its recruiting efforts, it appears as if Gus Malzahn and his staff are looking to change that in the 2016 cycle. 

Last week, the Tigers offered a pair of 3-star offensive linemen in twins Austin and Riley Anderson.

The brothers are both projected to play offensive tackle, which, as Keith Niebuhr of Auburn Undercover notes, is a huge need for the Tigers in the current cycle.

Both players have extensive offer lists, with powers such as Arizona State, Texas, Texas A&M and TCU among the programs who are in the running to land the talented duo. 

While it will be tough to pull them away from their home state, both players possess the type of size and athleticism that would mesh well with Malzahn’s uptempo scheme.

The next step for the Tigers will be trying to get them to take a visit to the Plains.

However, regardless of how this particular recruitment plays out, it appears that Malzahn and his staff, like many other SEC schools, will continue to target Texas in the 2016 cycle and beyond.

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

Clemson After 2017 FL WR

The Clemson Tigers are among the out-of-state programs who have had tremendous success recruiting the state of Florida in recent years.

Dabo Swinney and his staff have poached studs such as C.J. Spiller and Sammy Watkins out of the Sunshine State in recent years.

The Tigers already have a pledge from 2017 4-star Florida wideout T.J. Chase, but as Luke Stampini of Gatorbait reports, they are after another talented pass-catcher in 4-star James Robinson.

Robinson, who also holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Marshall, Ohio State and Tennessee, is the nation’s No. 31 wide receiver and the No. 205 player overall in the 2017 class.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Penn State Offers Top 2017 GA LB

Given James Franklin’s recruiting ties in SEC territory dating back to his tenure as Vanderbilt’s head coach, it makes sense that Penn State is getting aggressive in the southern part of the country.

Last week, Franklin and his staff offered 2017 4-star linebacker Breon Dixon.

Dixon is the No. 26 player in the state of Georgia in the 2017 class, and he’s part of a loaded junior class at Peachtree Ridge High School in the metro Atlanta area.

The 6’0”, 216-pounder already has 11 offers, with programs such as Arizona State, Florida, Georgia Tech and Tennessee showing early interest.

2018 RB Nets Two Big Offers

Most coaches are currently focusing their recruiting efforts on the 2016 and 2017 classes, but there are a few rising sophomores who have already drawn the attention of big-time schools.

One such player is 2018 Virginia running back Ricky Slade.

Last week, the 5’9”, 175-pounder picked up his 13th and 14th offers from Nebraska and West Virginia, respectively.

Given the amount of early interest in Slade, he figures to be one of the nation’s elite prospects in the 2018 class.

Best of the Rest

• Miami offered 2016 4-star running back Elijah Holyfield. The Hurricanes also offered Holyfield’s prep teammate, 2016 3-star receiver Jacob Robertson. The ‘Canes also tendered 2016 4-star athlete Steven Smothers, per Adam Friedman of Rivals, and 2016 3-star athlete Jalen Elliott.

• North Carolina offered 2016 3-star athlete JJ Givens.

• Nebraska offered 2016 3-star quarterback Terry Wilson.

• Wisconsin offered 2016 3-star receiver Kofi Boateng.

• Matt Clare of Rivals reports that TCU offered 2016 athlete Moses Reynolds.

• Texas Tech offered 2016 4-star defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.

• West Virginia offered 2016 4-star corner Donte Vaughn.

• Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that Stanford offered 2016 4-star corner David Long.

• Scout’s John Garcia Jr. reports that Alabama offered 2016 4-star defensive tackle Kendell Jones.

• Auburn offered 2016 3-star defensive back Eric Cuffee.

• Florida offered 2016 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike.

• Mike Farrell of Rivals reports that Ole Miss offered 2016 4-star receiver Eli Stove.

• According to Rob Cassidy of Rivals, South Carolina offered 2016 3-star linebacker and current Florida pledge Vosean Joseph.

• Missouri and Texas A&M both offered 2016 4-star corner Trayvon Mullen.

• Georgia and Florida State offered 2016 4-star defensive end Xavier Kelly.

• Louisville offered 2017 quarterback Chase Brice.

• The Cardinals joined North Carolina in offering 2017 4-star corner LeAnthony Williams.

• Miami offered 2017 4-star tight end Kedrick James.

• Nebraska offered 2017 5-star defensive end AJ Epenesa.

• Alabama offered 2017 5-star offensive lineman Calvin Ashley.

• Auburn offered 2017 4-star corner Stanford Samuels III.

• LSU offered 2017 4-star athlete Devonta Smith.

• Mississippi State offered 2017 4-star safety C.J. Avery.

• Ole Miss offered 2017 4-star defensive tackle Ryan Johnson and 2017 4-star receiver Braylon Sanders.

• Arizona offered 2017 4-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis.

• Clemson offered 2018 quarterback Joey Gatewood.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.