College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
USC is poised to make another run at a top-five recruiting class in the 2016 cycle.
After last week’s addition of 4-star wideout Josh Imatorbhebhe, the Trojans have pulled into the No. 11 spot of the 247Sports Team Rankings.
Steve Sarkisian and his staff went cross-country to land Imatorbhebhe, but last week, the Trojans stayed closer to home in tendering 4-star Los Angeles native David Long.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The 6’0”, 175-pounder out of Loyola High School—which is located minutes away from USC’s campus—knows most people in recruiting circles have pegged him landing at USC, even before he had the offer.
"Proud to announce that I've received a scholarship from the University of Southern California! #FightOn pic.twitter.com/euOZgfzL2M
— David Long Jr. (@dee_knowz) May 19, 2015"
“I know a lot of people think I am leaning to USC, but I am definitely wide open,” Long told James Hale of 247Sports back in March.
However, he admits that he is most familiar with the Trojans and he’s been a fixture on their campus over the last couple of years.
“USC is probably two miles or less than that from my school and I have been around their campus a lot,” Long told Hale. “I started going to USC games my sophomore year. I think I made every USC game my sophomore year. I would say I have been to 10 to 15 games at USC.”
According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Long won the MVP of the defensive backs segment at the Nike Opening Regional camp in Oakland earlier this month, and subsequently punched his ticket to The Opening.
Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Stanford are among the other schools making a push for Long. But with the Trojans now firmly in the race, Long’s recruitment could take on a new direction moving forward.
Oklahoma Hits Texas
Texas has been a territory that Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma staff have had a strong presence in during his tenure in Norman.
Last week, the Sooners offered a pair of 3-star defenders from the Lone Star State in safety Chris Brown and linebacker Deonte Williams.
"Proud to say ya boi just received an offer from Oklahoma University‼️ #BoomerSooner
— ✨Deonte J. Williams✨ (@da__truth2) May 21, 2015"
Arizona State, Duke, Michigan and Michigan State are among the schools who have offered the 5’11”, 183-pound Brown.
Meanwhile, Williams—who has recorded 117 tackles, including 33 for loss and 13 sacks over the last two seasons—has offers from Baylor, Iowa, Louisville and TCU, among others.
However, it appears as if the Sooners are hoping to make a move on both standouts from the Lone Star State.
Florida After Rising 2016 RB
Florida has already added a talented running back in 4-star JUCO pledge Mark Thompson.
However, Jim McElwain and his staff hit the state of Texas last week to offer 3-star rusher D’Vaughn Pennamon.
"I just received. An offer From Florida #Gatorchomp #Gators
— drippin' sauceBlu (@mavnation_blu) May 20, 2015"
As a junior, the 5’11”, 199-pounder accounted for 925 yards of total offense and 13 touchdowns.
The Gators join Georgia and Ole Miss as fellow SEC powers who have offered Pennamon this month.
2017 Florida WR in Demand
Perhaps the hottest prospect in the country last week was 2017 4-star receiver Daquon Green.
The 6’1”, 183-pounder picked up five offers last week from Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and South Carolina.
"Just been offered by Auburn University #Tigers #Blessed pic.twitter.com/2JFF5btefA
— Iam DGVii ✈ (@iamDG7) May 22, 2015"
Of that group, he noted that the tender from the Buckeyes came as a shock to him.
“Those [offers] are really big, especially Ohio State,” Green told Bleacher Report. “I've been looking for that one, but I didn't expect it this soon. It was a big surprise for me.”
Expect the interest in the explosive playmaker to continue to grow in the coming months.
Best of the Rest
- Notre Dame offered 4-star linebacker Jaleel Laguins. The Irish also offered 4-star running back Devwah Whaley and 3-star defensive end Andre Anthony.
- Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports reports that the Irish joined Clemson in offering 3-star defensive end Antonneous Clayton.
- Iowa offered 3-star linebacker Romeo McKnight.
- Michigan offered 3-star offensive lineman Tope Imade.
- Michigan State offered 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike. The Spartans also offered 4-star defensive tackle Chris Daniels and 3-star running back Kiante Enis.
- Matt Clare of Rivals reports that Baylor offered athlete Moses Reynolds.
- Texas offered 3-star receiver Eddie McDoom.
- Arizona offered 3-star safety and current Florida commitment Spencer Perry.
- Arizona State offered 4-star defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.
- Georgia offered 3-star corner Patrick Johnson II.
- Niebuhr reports that Ole Miss offered 3-star safety Jeawon Taylor.
- Tennessee offered 4-star defensive tackle Keyshon Camp.
- The Volunteers joined Auburn in offering 3-star offensive lineman Josh Ball.
- Texas A&M and Michigan offered 3-star tight end Irvin Smith.
- Clemson offered 4-star running back Kyshaun Bryan.
- Duke offered 4-star athlete Jamyest Williams.
- The Blue Devils joined Notre Dame in offering 5-star athlete Jeffrey Okudah.
- Michigan offered defensive lineman Kedonis Haslem.
- Rob Cassidy of Rivals reports that Ohio State offered defensive end Jonathan Ford.
- Texas offered 4-star safety Daniel Wright.
- Justin Hopkins of 247Sports reports that Alabama offered 5-star offensive lineman Foster Sarell.
- Missouri and LSU offered 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
- Texas A&M and Wisconsin offered 4-star corner Chevin Calloway.
- Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State and Oklahoma offered 5-star receiver Trevon Grimes.
- Arkansas offered offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer.
- Michigan offered corner Asante Samuel Jr.
- Alabama and Georgia offered defensive end Nik Bonitto.
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")
