College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week
One of the more intriguing recruiting battles down the stretch of the 2015 cycle was the tug of war between rivals Michigan and Ohio State for running back Mike Weber.
After initially committing to the Wolverines, Weber eventually landed in Columbus with the Buckeyes on signing day.
This year, a similar battle could unfold over 4-star running back and current Michigan pledge Chris Evans.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Last week, Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer offered the standout from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.
Over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons, Evans—who rates as the nation’s No. 8 all-purpose running back and the No. 328 player overall in the 2016 class—compiled 2,895 yards of total offense and 40 touchdowns.
Evans is a well-rounded athlete who could play a number of positions at the next level.
Interestingly enough, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, the Buckeyes are recruiting Evans to play defensive back in Columbus. Wiltfong also noted that Meyer and his staff are hoping to get Evans on campus as soon as this weekend.
However, Evans appears to be firm in his pledge to the Wolverines at this time.
If Evans does make it to Columbus, this recruitment could be one worth monitoring until national signing day rolls around.
Clemson Offers Stud 2016 CB
After its undefeated regular season and run to the College Football Playoff title game, Clemson figures to take a ton of momentum into the final weeks before national signing day.
While the Tigers were busy preparing to face Alabama, head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff offered 4-star corner Lavert Hill.
"Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Clemson pic.twitter.com/Oey0ncOhcU
— Ghost (@VertHill21) January 5, 2016"
Hill, who recently decommitted from an early pledge to Penn State, has schools such as Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and USC among his group of finalists.
However, with an official visit to Clemson scheduled for Jan. 20, the Tigers have a shot at snaring one of the top playmakers from the Midwest late in the cycle.
Texas After Stud In-State 2017 DE
Texas head coach Charlie Strong has fared well during his tenure in Austin in landing top in-state recruits on the defensive side of the ball.
In the 2017 class, one player he and his staff will aggressively pursue is 4-star defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson—who netted an offer from the Longhorns last week, according to Justin Wells of Inside Texas.
The 6’3”, 220-pound pass-rusher holds early offers from programs such as Baylor, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Stanford, TCU and Texas A&M.
Chaisson is the No. 14 weak-side defensive end and the No. 217 player overall in the 2017 class.
Four Powers After 2019 RB
Current Florida State star Dalvin Cook had a whirlwind recruiting process that saw him pledge to both Clemson and Florida before landing in Tallahassee.
Considering what he’s been able to do in college, the battle to land him was worth it for FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher.
A similar war could rage for 2019 running back James Cook, who is Dalvin’s younger brother.
Last week, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, the younger Cook picked up offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and West Virginia.
"#Alabama offers stud running back James Cook from Miami/Central. https://t.co/UvC8JafPho @TimWatts_BOL @HankSouth247
— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) January 7, 2016"
FSU, LSU and Miami have also offered Cook—who rushed for 709 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in helping lead Miami Central High School to a state title.
While the Seminoles may have a leg up with Cook, he figures to have a national offer list before he makes a final decision.
Best of the Rest
- Miami offered 3-star receiver and current Georgia commit Randrecous Davis.
- Syracuse offered 3-star defensive end Jerrion Nelson.
- Virginia Tech offered 3-star corner Nygel King. The Hokies also offered 3-star receiver and current Michigan pledge Nate Johnson.
- Minnesota offered 3-star JUCO running back Kobe McCrary.
- Oklahoma offered 3-star JUCO linebacker Kapri Doucet.
- USC offered 4-star safety Brandon Burton.
- Kentucky, Florida and UCLA joined the Trojans in offering 4-star JUCO defensive end Jonathan Kongbo.
- Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee offered 4-star receiver Quartney Davis.
- Mississippi State offered 3-star receiver Zach Farrar.
- South Carolina offered 5-star safety Brandon Jones.
- Tennessee offered 4-star defensive tackle and current Oklahoma pledge Chris Daniels. The Vols also offered 3-star defensive end and current Kansas State commit Jordon Robertson.
- According to Chris Nee of Noles247, Florida State offered defensive end Tre Lawson. Nee also reported that the Seminoles offered defensive tackle Emmanuel McNeil.
- Auburn joined the Seminoles in offering 4-star running back Devan Barrett.
- Georgia Tech offered 3-star defensive end Michael Allen.
- Miami offered 4-star corner Ambry Thomas.
- Maryland offered 3-star tight end Tre McKitty.
- Michigan offered 4-star linebacker Will Ignont. The Wolverines also offered 3-star receiver Jaevon McQuitty.
- Penn State offered 4-star athlete Derrek Pitts.
- Iowa State offered 3-star defensive tackle Kurt Hinish.
- Oklahoma and Maryland offered 4-star corner Trajan Bandy.
- Arizona offered 4-star athlete Bruce Judson.
- Arizona State offered 3-star athlete Roshauud Paul.
- Utah offered 3-star linebacker Ariel Ngata.
- Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover reported that Auburn offered 4-star linebacker Justin Foster.
- Florida offered 4-star offensive lineman Robert Hainsey.
- South Carolina offered 4-star defensive tackle Donovan Jeter.
- LSU and Tennessee offered 4-star offensive lineman and current Alabama pledge Alex Leatherwood.
- The Vols also offered 3-star linebacker Josh Clarke.
- Scout’s Corey Bender reported that Tennessee also offered 3-star quarterback and current Miami pledge N’Kosi Perry. Bartow reported West Virginia also offered Perry.
- Texas A&M offered 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
- Louisville offered quarterback Jalen Mayden.
- TCU offered receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.
- Georgia offered receiver Brieon Fuller.
- Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247 reported that Georgia offered athlete Michael Robertson.
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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