College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
The state of Louisiana is loaded with quality defensive line prospects in the 2016 cycle.
In fact, the Pelican State features a pair of 5-star defensive tackles in current LSU pledges Edwin Alexander and Rashard Lawrence.
However, there is another standout who is on the verge of becoming a household name in recruiting circles in 3-star defensive tackle D’Andre Christmas-Giles.
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According to Demetric Warren of Varsity Preps, Tennessee offered the 6’3”, 270-pounder last week.
The Vols became the 14th program to offer Christmas-Giles, but they joined Kansas as only the second Power Five school to enter the picture in his recruitment.
"Just committed to The university of Tennessee #GBO #Vols #VFL #VolNation
— D.Christmas-Giles (@_DChristmas) August 29, 2015"
It didn’t take long for him to jump on his latest offer.
Christmas-Giles committed to the Vols later in the week.
According to Ryan Callahan of GoVols247, Christmas-Giles said that Vols head coach Butch Jones and his staff were thrilled to hear the news of his commitment.
“They were excited. They were happy,” Christmas-Giles told Callahan. “They wanted me to plan a visit when I’ll come up there. They were excited. [Butch Jones] was fired up. He was happy I was committing. He wants me to be a part of the program.”
Tennessee signed a touted defensive line class in 2015, but adding Christmas-Giles to a Vols 2016 class that features commitments from 4-star defensive end Chidi Okonya and 3-star JUCO defensive tackle Alexis Johnson should replenish the roster along that position moving forward.
Virginia Tech offers 2016 4-Star DE
As noted by Ourlads, three of the top four defensive ends for Virginia Tech will be upperclassmen this fall, which means head coach Frank Beamer and his staff will be looking for pass-rushers in the 2016 cycle.
Last week, the Hokies offered 4-star defensive end Antonneous Clayton.
The 6’4”, 218-pound Peach State product has seen his recruitment explode during the spring and summer, and he’s approaching 40 offers.
Auburn, Florida and Oregon are among the programs who are currently trending with Clayton, but the Hokies have a need and a history of producing standout defenders—which should help in their pursuit of one of the nation’s top pass-rushers in the 2016 class.
Wisconsin after Stud 2017 WR
One of the top receivers in the Midwest for the 2017 cycle is 4-star Illinois native Isaiah Robertson.
Last week, the 6’3”, 190-pounder picked up an offer from Wisconsin.
"Blessed to receive an offer from The University Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/FCmFULtEWo
— Isaiah Robertson (@AlMightyzay_1) August 25, 2015"
The Badgers join Illinois, Iowa and Maryland as fellow Big Ten members to jump in the race for Robertson.
Expect the interest in Robinson to continue to grow in the coming months.
West Virginia Offers 2017 California QB
West Virginia has consistently produced high-octane offenses and should continue to do so under head coach Dana Holgorsen.
Last week, Holgorsen and his staff tendered 4-star quarterback Tristan Gebbia.
The 6’3”, 180-pound California native already holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami and Nebraska, among others.
The Mountaineers offensive system could prove to be attractive for a top signal-caller such as Gebbia.
Best of the Rest
- Florida State offered 3-star athlete and current Arizona State commitment Darel Middleton.
- Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that Nebraska offered 3-star receiver and current Boise State commitment Derrion Grim.
- Oklahoma State offered 3-star tight end Thaddeus Moss.
- Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reports that West Virginia offered 3-star tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. The Mountaineers also offered long snapper Damon Johnson.
- Arizona offered 4-star athlete Melquise Stovall.
- Florida offered 4-star offensive lineman Scott Lashley.
- Kipp Adams of Dawgs 247 reports that Georgia offered 3-star JUCO offensive lineman Demetri Moore.
- Texas A&M offered 3-star running back Rakeem Boyd, who committed to the Aggies six days later.
- Tennessee offered 3-star receiver Tyrell Alexander. Matt Clare of Rivals reports that the Vols also offered 3-star safety and current Houston pledge Collin Wilder.
- Boise State offered 3-star defensive tackle and current Texas Tech commitment Joe Wallace.
- North Carolina offered 3-star linebacker Malik Robinson.
- Trent Smallwood of Rivals reports that Wake Forest offered 3-star safety Ryan Huff.
- Gorney reports that Wisconsin offered 4-star offensive lineman Aaron Banks.
- Texas Tech offered running back Kennedy Brooks.
- Arizona State offered 4-star corner Ambry Thomas. The Sun Devils also offered 3-star corner Javelin Guidry.
- California offered offensive lineman Brett Neilon.
- Tennessee offered 3-star corner Brad Stewart.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.
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