College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week

The Red River Rivalry is another duel that often spills over to the recruiting trail.

Last week, 3-star defensive tackle Deiontae Watts became the latest recruit to get caught up in the tug of war between Oklahoma and Texas. 

Both the Sooners and the Longhorns offered the 6’3”, 300-pounder from Plano East High School (Texas).

According to EJ Holland of Horns247, the offer from the ‘Horns is one that Watts had been patiently waiting for.

“I’ve always been interested [in Texas],” Watts told Holland. “I went down there for a game, and I really liked the family atmosphere. Even the team played like a family. I also like what they are trying to build there.”

Another interesting parallel with Watts is the fact that he’s a prep teammate of 4-star linebacker Anthony Hines—who is another prime target for both schools. 

Watts, who also holds offers from Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, also picked up a tender from Pac-12 power UCLA last week.

However, it appears that both the Sooners and the Longhorns will be recruiting Watts aggressively from this point forward—which makes his recruitment one to watch in the coming months.

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

Oregon Offers Baylor Pledge

Over the years, Oregon has recruited the state of Texas with great success.

Last week, the Ducks offered one of the Lone Star State’s most explosive playmakers in 4-star receiver and current Baylor pledge Hezekiah Jones.

"

Just received an offer from the University of Oregon #WinTheDay pic.twitter.com/9EBTIDJUVe

— 9️⃣ (@_hezekiahh) February 23, 2016"

The 6’0”, 193-pounder—who rates as the nation’s No. 15 receiver and the No. 101 player overall in the 2017 cycle—has been committed to the Bears since last summer. 

Over the last two seasons at Stafford High School (Texas), Jones has recorded 63 receptions for 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Bob Levey/Associated Press

LSU Offers Pair of Alabama Stars

Another recruiting rivalry with tons of juice in recent years is that between SEC West titans Alabama and LSU.

While the Tide have had a decent amount of success recruiting talent from the Pelican State, the Tigers are looking to return the favor in the 2017 cycle.

Last week, LSU head coach Les Miles and his staff offered a pair of stars from the Yellowhammer State in 4-star quarterback Jake Bentley and 4-star linebacker Markail Benton.

The 6’4”, 215-pound Bentley, who rates as the nation’s No. 6 pro-style passer and the No. 97 player overall in the 2017 cycle, has 20 offers to this credit heading into the spring.

Meanwhile, Benton—who is the nation’s No. 5 outside linebacker and No. 81 player overall—is the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama.

However, the Tigers are hoping to get in the mix with two of the top players in their rival’s backyard.

John Raoux/Associated Press

Florida State Offers 2018’s Top QB 

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has developed a reputation as one of the nation’s best developers of quarterbacks.

Last week, the Seminoles offered rising Peach State junior passer Trevor Lawrence. 

The 6’5”, 191-pounder is rated as the nation’s top overall prospect in the 2018 class by 247Sports.

Lawrence already has compiled more than 20 offers—with schools such as Clemson, Duke, Georgia and Tennessee among his early group of primary suitors.

However, given Fisher’s pedigree with grooming star passers, the ‘Noles have the potential to become a player in the sweepstakes for 2018’s premier prospect at the position.

Best of the Rest

• Notre Dame offered 5-star receiver Tee Higgins. The Irish also offered 4-star athlete Hamsah Nasirildeen.

• Boston College offered 3-star defensive end Tyree Johnson.

• Florida State offered 4-star running back A.J. Dillon. The Seminoles also offered 3-star receiver and current Texas Tech pledge Jalen Reagor.

• Miami and Iowa State offered running back Malik Davis.

• Virginia offered 4-star quarterback Avery Davis.

• Kansas State and Maryland offered 3-star athlete Connor Heyward.

• Michigan offered 3-star linebacker Kenney Britt.

• The Wolverines joined LSU and Nebraska in offering 4-star defensive end Zachary Carter.

• Michigan State offered 4-star linebacker Pete Werner.

• Nebraska offered 4-star corner AJ Terrell.

• Northwestern offered safety Garret Wallow.

• Penn State offered 5-star safety Jeffrey Okudah.

• Purdue offered 3-star athlete and current Kentucky pledge Craig Yeast II.

• Baylor offered 4-star athlete Logan Rudolph.

• Iowa State offered 3-star corner Quran Hafiz.

• Kansas offered 4-star receiver Omar Manning.

• Oklahoma State offered 4-star running back Eno Benjamin.

• TCU offered 3-star running back and current LSU commit Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

• Arizona offered 4-star offensive lineman Aaron Banks.

• Arizona State offered 3-star quarterback and current Kentucky pledge Mac Jones.

• The Sun Devils joined Washington in offering 4-star linebacker Addison Gumbs.

• California offered 5-star quarterback and current Texas A&M pledge Tate Martell.

• The Bears joined Ole Miss and South Carolina in offering offensive lineman Riley Locklear.

• Oregon offered 4-star receiver Tylan Wallace. The Ducks also offered 3-star tight end Tre' McKitty.

• Tom Loy of 247Sports reported that Utah offered 3-star linebacker Sampson Niu.

• Alabama offered 3-star tight end Alexander Marshall.

• Auburn offered 5-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey. The Tigers also offered 4-star offensive lineman Adrian Ealy.

• Florida offered JUCO defensive end Isaiah Buggs.

• Georgia offered 4-star quarterback Davis Mills. The Bulldogs also offered 4-star receiver James Robinson.

• LSU offered 4-star linebacker and current Penn State pledge Dylan Rivers. The Tigers also offered 3-star safety and current UCLA commit Jaquan Henderson.

• Mississippi State offered 5-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis.

• Missouri offered 4-star receiver Jaylon Jackson.

• Texas A&M offered 4-star defensive end D.J. Johnson.

• Brian Perroni of 247Sports reported that Alabama, Florida State, LSU and Texas A&M offered tight end Malcolm Epps.

• Florida State offered corner and current Miami pledge Gilbert Frierson.

• Michigan State offered linebacker Justin Ademilola.

• Andrew Bone of Rivals.com reports that Nebraska offered quarterback Jack West.

• Texas Tech offered running back Craig Williams.

• Arizona State offered receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

• USC offered safety Jaiden Woodbey.

• Alabama offered defensive end Xavier Thomas.

• Mississippi State offered quarterback Jalen Mayden.

• Tennessee offered quarterback Gavin Schoenwald.

• Florida State offered receiver Maurice Goolsby.

• Arizona State offered receiver Bru McCoy.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.