College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
It’s usually a tough task for out-of-state schools to come into Alabama and find success on the recruiting trail.
In-state powers Alabama and Auburn usually rack up the top talent within state borders.
However, one school that has found success there in the 2016 cycle is the Florida Gators.
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Head coach Jim McElwain and his staff have already landed three commitments, and they are heavily involved with the state’s top prospect—5-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson.
According to GatorBait’s Luke Stampini, the Gators offered Wilson’s prep teammate at Carver (Alabama) High School—corner Antonio Nelson.
"Blessed to say that I've received my 1st SEC offer from the University of Florida. GOD really does answer prayers. pic.twitter.com/T7AQNSizP7
— T . Clutch Nelson (@Tony_Clutch1) November 18, 2015"
The 6’2”, 175-pounder also has offers from Grambling State, South Alabama, Troy and Western Kentucky, but he admits the tender from the SEC power has vaulted them to the top of his list.
“Florida is No. 1 right now,” Nelson told Stampini. “It’s the biggest offer I got, and I really didn’t expect to be a person to gets one of those, a big SEC school like that.”
Nelson visited Gainesville in August and has plans on returning for the Gators’ home finale this weekend against rival Florida State.
If the Gators are able to land Nelson, things could get really interesting with Wilson as well.
Texas Offers 2 of Motown’s Finest
With one of the largest bases for talent in its backyard, Texas is a school that has the luxury of recruiting nationally on a limited basis.
However, head coach Charlie Strong and his staff ventured into Michigan last week to offer two of Detroit’s top prospects in the 2016 class.
The Longhorns offered King High School teammates in 4-star receiver Donnie Corley and 4-star corner and current Penn State pledge Lavert Hill.
Corley, who is set to announce his commitment on Dec. 8, is considering schools such as Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.
While Hill is committed to the Nittany Lions, the Wolverines lead a pack of schools hoping to flip his pledge.
The Longhorns have an uphill battle in trying to land either prospect, but things could get interesting if either player makes a visit to Austin in the coming weeks.
Clemson Offers Top 2017 Center
Clemson is one program that has found success recruiting the talent-rich state of Florida.
Last week, head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff were active in the Sunshine State, as they offered 4-star offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz.
"Beyond Blessed to have received my 17th offer from Clemson University #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/AcXdTbvjg7
— Cesar Ruiz (@_OverCees) November 18, 2015"
The 6’4”, 290-pounder, who rates as the top center prospect in the 2017 cycle, has also received offers from schools such as Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn and Michigan.
However, the Tigers could become a bigger player for Ruiz moving forward.
UCLA Offers Rising 2018 QBs
UCLA struck gold in the 2015 class in landing current starting quarterback Josh Rosen.
Bruins head coach Jim Mora Jr. and his staff are actively looking for other touted quarterback prospects.
Last week, the Bruins offered a touted passer in quarterback Connor Noland. Adam Friedman of Rivals reports the Bruins offered another future stud in quarterback Phil Jurkovec.
Noland has another offer from Arkansas State while Jurkovec holds early offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple and Wisconsin.
Given Rosen’s success in Westwood, the Bruins could prove to be an attractive option for rising signal-callers such as Noland and Jurkovec.
Best of the Rest
- Ryan Bartow of 247Sports reports that Miami offered 3-star defensive end Keir Thomas.
- Virginia offered 3-star receiver and current NC State commit Bryce Dixon.
- Texas Tech offered JUCO offensive lineman Bennett Powers. The Red Raiders also offered 2-star offensive lineman Yasir Durant.
- California and Oregon offered 4-star JUCO defensive end Jonathan Kongbo.
- USC offered 3-star corner and current Washington commit Kentrell Love.
- Auburn offered 3-star JUCO receiver Dre Massey.
- Blair Angulo of Rivals reports that Georgia offered 3-star JUCO receiver and current Texas Tech pledge Derrick Willies.
- EJ Holland of 247Sports reports that Mississippi State and Texas A&M offered 3-star defensive tackle and current Tennessee commit D’Andre Christmas-Giles.
- The Aggies also offered 3-star offensive lineman Ryan McCollum.
- Ole Miss and South Carolina offered 3-star corner Troy Pride Jr.
- Clemson and NC State offered 3-star defensive end Jordan Williams.
- North Carolina offered 3-star athlete Antjuan Simmons. The Tar Heels also offered a pair of offensive lineman in 4-star CJ Thorpe and Will Taylor.
- Pittsburgh offered 3-star corner Jaytlin Askew.
- Northwestern offered receiver Jeremiah Holloman.
- Wisconsin offered 4-star quarterback Davis Mills.
- Oklahoma offered 4-star corner Kary Vincent.
- West Virginia offered linebacker Bradley Jennings.
- Arizona State offered 4-star receiver Tarik Black.
- Scout’s Greg Biggins reports that Washington State offered 4-star athlete and current Arizona State pledge Jermani Brown.
- Scout’s Brandon Huffman reports that Oregon offered 4-star athlete Josh Falo.
- Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that Oregon State offered 3-star offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees.
- Friedman reports that Georgia offered 4-star linebacker Justin Foster.
- Ole Miss offered 5-star defensive end Joshua Kaindoh.
- Tennessee offered 4-star receiver KD Dixon. According to Brian Perroni of 247Sports, the Vols also offered 4-star receiver Charleston Rambo.
- Hank South of BamaOnline, via Chris Nee of Noles247, reports that Florida State offered corner Christian Tutt.
- Biggins reports that West Virginia offered running back T.J. Pledger.
- Utah offered corner Isaac Taylor.
- Tennessee offered receiver Dominick Blaylock.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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