College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
While LSU typically is tough to beat out for prospects in the state of Louisiana, Alabama is one out-of-state school that has enjoyed some success recruiting the Pelican State.
Tide head coach Nick Saban has lured studs, such as safety Landon Collins, running back Eddie Lacy and current offensive lineman Cameron Robinson, over the years.
Last week, the Tide offered a pair of top Louisiana recruits in the 2016 class.
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First, Alabama offered 3-star linebacker and current Arkansas commit De’jon Harris:
According to BamaOnline's Hank South, Harris—who has been committed to the Razorbacks since May—will take an official visit to Alabama next month.
As for what he’s looking for on that visit, Harris wants to learn more about the Tide’s program in the classroom and get more familiar with the coaching staff.
“Academics play a big part in my family,” Harris told South. “The facilities, I heard Bama redid them. I just want to sit down and meet the coaching staff and the community and see if I’ll be comfortable (there) for three to four years.”
Another Pelican State stud Saban and his staff are hoping to lure to Tuscaloosa is 4-star corner Kristian Fulton:
Fellow SEC programs such as Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Texas A&M are currently pursuing Fulton, who rates as the nation’s No. 4 corner and the No. 34 player overall in the 2016 cycle.
Predictions consider the Tigers the heavy favorites for Fulton, but it will be interesting to see if the Tide can make a late run at one of the nation’s top corners.
Michigan Pursuing 2016 Florida DE
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has made the state of Florida a priority on the recruiting trail.
The Wolverines already have five Sunshine State pledges—all on the defensive side of the ball—in the 2016 class, and they are pursuing another stud in 3-star defensive end Joshua Uche, whom they offered last week:
"Just received an offer from the University of Michigan #Wolverines #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/wxC10t7xbk
— Josh (@Uche_Josh20) December 21, 2015"
Uche, who backed off an early pledge to Miami, has already set official visits to North Carolina (Jan. 22) and Florida (Jan. 29).
According to Steve Lorenz of Wolverines247, Michigan will try to get Uche in for a visit the first weekend (Jan. 15) after the dead period ends.
Notre Dame Offers 2017 FSU Legacy
Florida State recently lost out on a legacy recruit when 4-star linebacker Devin Bush Jr. spurned the Seminoles in favor of Michigan.
Notre Dame is hoping they pull off the same type of victory over the Seminoles with 4-star corner Stanford Samuels III, who earned an Irish offer last week:
As detailed by Tom Loy of 247Sports, Samuels has been paying attention to the Irish program and noticed Notre Dame's improvements on the defensive side of the ball.
While the Noles will be tough to beat, the Irish are hoping to give the talented corner something to think about moving forward.
Stanford After 2017 Texas DE
Similar to Michigan’s efforts in the state of Florida, Stanford has been active in the state of Texas with regard to its recruiting efforts.
Cardinal head coach David Shaw and his staff have already landed commitments from five Lone Star State standouts in the 2016 cycle.
Shaw is hoping to continue that success in the 2017 cycle, as the Cardinal offered 4-star defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson last week:
"Blessed to receive my 13th offer from the University of Stanford #GoStanford ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ZgB5z8S1p9
— ️4⭐️ (@WhosThatGuy4) December 22, 2015"
Arizona State, Baylor and LSU are among the other schools in the mix early with Chaisson.
Best of the Rest
- Illinois offered 3-star defensive end Allen Cater.
- Maryland offered 3-star receiver Benaiah Franklin. The Terrapins also offered 3-star linebacker and current Virginia pledge Landan Word.
- Purdue offered 3-star quarterback and current SMU commit David Moore.
- Kansas offered 3-star receiver and current Maryland pledge Evan Fairs.
- Oklahoma State offered 4-star quarterback and current Arizona commit Devon Modster. The Cowboys also offered 3-star passer Keondre Wudtee.
- According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Washington State offered quarterback Quentin Davis.
- Alabama offered 4-star defensive end Connor Murphy. Andrew Bone of Rivals reported the Tide also offered 3-star JUCO defensive end Jamar King. The Tide also offered 3-star defensive end and current Auburn pledge Nick Coe.
- Georgia offered place-kicker Oren Milstein.
- Kentucky and Virginia Tech offered 3-star athlete TaDarryl Marshall.
- Tennessee offered 3-star corner Baylen Buchanan.
- Vanderbilt offered corner Elijah Hamilton.
- Florida State offered linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr.
- Miami offered 4-star linebacker Nate McBride.
- Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reported Northwestern offered offensive lineman Michael Miranda.
- Iowa State offered 4-star corner Ambry Thomas. The Cyclones also offered 3-star offensive lineman Eric Wilson.
- Georgia offered 4-star offensive lineman Trey Smith.
- South Carolina offered 4-star athlete Bruce Judson. The Gamecocks also offered 4-star defensive end Jake Lawler.
- Tennessee offered 3-star receiver Leroy Henley.
- Rutgers offered athlete Jahan Dotson.
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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