College Football's Most Important Offers of the Week

Alabama has made a living recruiting the state of Texas in recent years. 

For Lone Star State power Texas, however, they have rarely returned the favor in venturing into the backyard of the Crimson Tide.

Last week, Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong and his staff did just that when they offered 4-star defensive end LaBryan Ray.

The 6’5”, 283-pounder out of James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama—who is approaching 30 offers—rates as the nation’s No. 5 strong-side defensive end and the No. 173 player overall in the 2017 class.

According to EJ Holland of Horns247, the offer is one that definitely got Ray’s attention.

“I’m definitely interested,” Ray told Holland. “I grew up watching Vince Young and guys like that. They have a lot of tradition. I know Coach (Charlie) Strong has had success in the past and what he’s doing now is eye-opening.”

Among the programs that Ray has visited in recent months include Alabama, Florida State, Mississippi State and Tennessee.

Battling the Crimson Tide for an in-state prospect they covet won’t be easy. However, Strong and his staff have a reputation of grooming elite defensive talents dating back to his days at Louisville. 

The next step for the Longhorns will be arranging a visit to get Ray on campus, which could help them make a serious push for one of the nation’s elite defensive linemen.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Michigan After Texas WR

The state of Texas is one area that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff have aggressively recruited since he took over in Ann Arbor.

Last week, the Wolverines continued that theme by offering 4-star receiver Omar Manning.

"

Blessed to receive a Offer from The University of Michigan 〽️#GoBlue #GodisLove pic.twitter.com/ZkNBactBrM

— O.Manning (@globoi_8) April 22, 2016"

The 6’3”, 203-pounder ranks as the nation’s No. 21 receiver and the No. 151 player overall in the 2017 cycle.

Among the programs in the mix with Manning early include Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas.

However, the Wolverines will work to make a push with one of the nation’s top skill players.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Florida Offers Ohio State Pledge

Considering his successful stints with both Florida and Ohio State, current Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer will always be a link between both powerhouse programs.

Last week, Gators head coach Jim McElwain and his staff tendered 4-star running back JK Dobbins—who is currently committed to the Buckeyes.

The standout from LaGrange High School in Texas has been committed to the Buckeyes since early March.

However, the Gators will try to make a run at the nation’s No. 4 all-purpose back and the No. 54 player overall in the 2017 cycle.

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UCLA Offers Midwest DB

One of the elite defensive players in the Midwest in the current cycle is 4-star corner Amir Riep.

Last week, the 6’0”, 180-pounder from Colerain High School in Cincinnati, Ohio picked up an offer from Pac-12 power UCLA.

Riep, who visited Michigan State last weekend and has plans on taking a trip to see Oregon this weekend, has more than 40 offers to his credit.

Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State are among the other programs in the mix with Riep at this stage of his recruitment. The Bruins are hoping to get in the mix with the nation’s No. 14 corner and No. 132 player overall in the 2017 cycle.

Best of the Rest

• Auburn offered JUCO offensive lineman Alex Loyosa. 

• Alabama and Clemson offered athlete Brandon Gaddy.

• Louisville and Pittsburgh offered 3-star offensive lineman Johnny Jordan.

• Iowa and Utah offered 3-star receiver Shamond Greenwood.

• Texas A&M and UCLA offered 3-star quarterback Jack Sears.

• Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that Notre Dame offered 4-star athlete Salvon Ahmed.

• Duke offered 4-star athlete Keldrick Carper.

• Miami offered 4-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele.

• Louisville offered 3-star linebacker Jaquan Henderson.

• Pittsburgh offered 3-star athlete CJ Holmes.

• Virginia Tech offered 3-star athlete Tariq Castro-Fields.

• Illinois offered offensive lineman Billy Ross.

• Michigan offered 3-star offensive lineman Joel Honigford.

• Purdue offered 4-star offensive lineman Caleb Chandler.

• Baylor offered defensive end Brock Martin.

• Iowa State offered 5-star running back Cam Akers.

• Kansas State offered 4-star athlete Devon Hunter.

• Oklahoma offered 4-star tight end Hunter Bryant.

• Texas Tech offered 3-star offensive lineman and current Kansas pledge Jared Hocker.

• West Virginia offered 3-star running back Jalen Holston.

• Arizona offered 4-star corner Kary Vincent. The Wildcats also offered 3-star athlete and current USC commit Randal Grimes.

• Arizona State offered 3-star quarterback Tayler Katoa.

• California offered 3-star linebacker Ariel Ngata. The Golden Bears also offered linebacker Colin Anderson.

• Colorado offered 3-star receiver and current Oklahoma pledge Grant Calcaterra.

• Oregon offered 4-star athlete Thomas Graham.

• Alabama offered 3-star offensive lineman Creed Humphrey. The Crimson Tide also offered JUCO offensive tackle Elliot Baker.

• Demetric Warren of Varsity Preps reported that Florida offered JUCO safety Johnathan Abram.
  
  
• LSU offered 3-star defensive end Alec Jackson.

• Mississippi State offered 4-star linebacker Drew Singleton.

• Missouri offered 3-star defensive end Aaron Odom.

• Ole Miss offered 3-star defensive tackle Deiontae Watts.

• Tennessee offered 3-star athlete Markquese Bell.

• Texas A&M offered 4-star receiver Devonta Smith. The Aggies also offered 3-star offensive lineman and current Oklahoma State pledge Adrian Wolford.

• Florida and South Carolina offered defensive end KJ Henry.

• Clemson and Ohio State offered receiver Jahan Dotson.

• Auburn and Ohio State offered tight end Mustapha Muhammad.

• Ohio State and Texas A&M offered receiver Jalen Hall.

• Miami and Michigan offered offensive lineman Richard Gouraige.

• Tom Loy of 247Sports reported that Notre Dame offered offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer. The Fighting Irish also offered safety Aashari Crosswell.

• Louisville offered running back Ricky Slade.

• Adam Gorney of Rivals reports that North Carolina offered corner Zaire Webb.

• Michigan offered corner Brendan Radley-Hiles.

• Ohio State offered offensive lineman Jackson Carman.

• Oklahoma offered quarterback Cameron Rising. The Sooners also offered athlete BJ Foster and defensive end Max Wright.

• Alabama offered defensive tackle PJ Mustipher. Barton Simmons of 247Sports reports that the Crimson Tide also offered offensive lineman and current Georgia commit Max Wray.

• Tennessee offered athlete Iverson Clement.

• Texas A&M offered receiver Brian Hightower.

• Notre Dame offered corner Max Williams. The Fighting Irish also offered receiver Bru McCoy.

• Oklahoma offered quarterback Spencer Rattler.

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani