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Stanford's 2017 class continues to build momentum

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Stanford's march to a potentially historically elite offensive recruiting class continued over the weekend with key developments in the recruitments of a pair of top-ranked prospects.

Foster Sarell, arguably the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle recruit - and perhaps the country's top overall player regardless of position - was admitted to Stanford on Friday. According to his mother, Pam, Sarell received the news via a phone call from Cardinal head coach David Shaw.

Sarell was perhaps Stanford's first real 2017 recruiting target. The Graham-Kapowsin standout took his first trip to The Farm at the end of his freshman year. A few months later, Cardinal offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren made the trip to Sarell's high school for an in-person evaluation. Stanford offered Sarell in the spring of his sophomore year, and the two sides have been building a relationship ever since.

Sarell does not have a timeline for announcing his decision, but his admission from Stanford ensures the Cardinal should remain a strong player for the duration.

The Washington native was not the only top-ranked recruit to get the green light from Stanford's admissions office over the weekend, however.

On Friday, longtime Cardinal tight end commit Colby Parkinson - arguably the best at his position in the nation - tweeted that he had officially gained admission into the university.

Parkinson is ranked as the nation's No. 2 tight end prospect on Rivals.com, but he's slotted No. 1 by multiple other recruiting sites. He'll have a chance to move up in Rivals' next rankings release.

Cardinal Sports Report had a chance to watch Parkinson in person at a pair of offseason events: The Opening Oakland Regional and Stanford's summer camp in June. We believe he may be the most talented tight end the Cardinal has landed in the last number of years, which is saying something considering the talent Stanford has enjoyed at the position.

The two top-100 prospects received their admissions decisions a week after Stanford added its first receiver pledge in the 2017 class, from Southern California four-star Osiris St. Brown. St. Brown had a number of national offers, but ultimately picked the Cardinal over Notre Dame.

With Parkinson and Sarell receiving the green light from Stanford's admissions office, the Cardinal now has four admits in the 2017 class. Quarterback commit Davis Mills and offensive tackle target Walker Little have also been accepted.

Now, Stanford will look to put the finishing touches on its offensive class that already includes Mills, Parkinson, St. Brown, top Utah running back Sione Lund and top California tight end Tucker Fisk. They'll likely want to add one more receiver, one more running back and the two offensive line targets that have already been accepted. If the Cardinal's plan comes to fruition, it could mean a historic haul for the reigning Pac-12 Champions.

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