Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 7

Marquee conference matchups in the Big Ten and SEC highlight an exciting seventh weekend of this college football season. As usual, recruits will be on the move in bunches as they continue to explore options three-and-a-half months shy of national signing day.

A battle in Baton Rouge between LSU and Florida will attract plenty of top prospects, as will a matchup in Ann Arbor featuring Michigan and Michigan State. Saturday may prove to be a separator for playoff contenders and pretenders, putting plenty of pressure on programs to perform.

These teams must also deliver off the field, hosting players they envision as potential mainstays for future title runs. Here's a look at several key campus visits to monitor in the coming days.

Michigan: 5-Star TE Isaac Nauta

Credit: Tyler Donohue

Class: 2016

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'4", 237 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 tight end; No. 9 overall

Isaac Nauta ranks among the finest tight end prospects we've scouted this decade and already appears well-equipped to compete in college. He's a tenacious force in the trenches, evidenced by strong play at defensive end. 

This aggressiveness lends itself perfectly to his blocking efforts, which balance out excellent route-running technique and reliable hands. Nauta has 10 receptions for 171 yards and two scores through six games in a star-studded offensive attack led by 5-star Ole Miss quarterback commit Shea Patterson, per MaxPreps.

Nauta, a Georgia native, already used an official visit in Athens. He's also planned trips to TCU, Alabama and Ole Miss. 

"I want to get a feel on how the players view Coach [Jim] Harbaugh as a leader and a person," Nauta told Bleacher Report last month. "There's definitely a lot of new things to look at with Michigan. In just a few games, they've already shown how much they like to use the tight end."

LSU: 5-Star LB Lyndell "Mack" Wilson

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Carver (Montgomery, Alabama)

Size: 6'2", 220 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 13 overall

LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele previously pursued Lyndell "Mack" Wilson while serving as Alabama's linebackers coach. Now, he aims to lure the explosive linebacker into enemy territory beyond state borders.

Wilson will give LSU ample opportunity to make him seriously consider the university during a visit this weekend. Perhaps more importantly, a strong effort could help soften Wilson's stance on Florida.

He named the Gators his leader two weeks ago. Florida, possibly reeling after an emotional week, will take on the Tigers in Death Valley. 

Wilson placed LSU second on his list of favorites, followed in order by Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon and USC. He's tallied 209 tackles and 16.5 sacks since his sophomore season, per MaxPreps.

Ohio State: 4-Star RB Antonio Williams

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: North Stanly (New London, North Carolina)

Size: 5'11", 210 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 7 running back; No. 211 overall

Things have developed quite a bit for the Buckeyes' future offensive backfield in recent days. Ohio State commit Kareem Walker traveled to Michigan last weekend and plans to use all five official visits, while 4-star slotback George Hill backed off his verbal pledge Wednesday.

Antonio Williams is also fresh off making a dramatic alteration to his recruitment process. The dominant rusher ended a 10-month commitment to Wisconsin on Wednesday, and his motivations were clear.

He is intent on seeing other universities, and Ohio State is an immediate priority. The Buckeyes could quickly seal the deal, pairing Williams with Walker and slotback candidate Demario McCall in a loaded recruiting class.

Williams has 7,673 career high school rushing yards, per MaxPreps. He is averaging 11.9 yards per carry this season through seven games, totaling 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Georgia: 5-Star LB Ben Davis

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)

Size: 6'3", 240 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 inside linebacker; No. 16 overall

Ben Davis is prepared to experience his first game day in Athens, offering the Bulldogs coaching staff another opportunity to enhance a defensive attack stocked with young talent. There's plenty of competition for this premier prospect, but Georgia made the cut for his top five earlier this month.

Bulldogs defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt began personally targeting Davis after a seven-on-seven tournament last year in Birmingham, Alabama. Their relationship has grown while Georgia linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer is also a key factor in this recruitment.

Davis, the son of all-time Crimson Tide tackles leader Wayne Davis, will also spend official visits at Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. Georgia leads off his lengthy travel itinerary.

"The most important thing for me is to see coaches' relationships with the players, how they treat players and how those players react to the coaches," he told Bleacher Report. "I'll put myself in those players' positions. Could I see myself living and playing there for the next three or four years? That's how I'll break it down."

Notre Dame: 4-Star LB Daelin Hayes

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Skyline (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Size: 6'4", 235 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 outside linebacker; No. 105 overall

Daelin Hayes was an immediate casualty for USC's recruiting class following an abrupt and embarrassing Trojans coaching change. He ended a lengthy commitment Monday, reopening his widespread recruitment.

The state of Michigan's top-ranked defender announced official visit plans Wednesday evening. Hayes heads to South Bend this weekend, followed by trips to Ohio State, Michigan State, Oklahoma and LSU.

He didn't waste much time developing a backup plan when things went awry in Los Angeles and is now set to spend time on five campuses over a six-week stretch.

The Fighting Irish hold a slight advantage as Hayes embarks on a busy schedule.

"If I had to give a No. 1 school right now, Notre Dame would probably be it," he told David Goricki of The Detroit News.

Michigan: 4-Star WR Dylan Crawford

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)

Size: 6'1", 175 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 13 wide receiver; No. 91 overall

Michigan missed out on coveted Santa Margarita Catholic quarterback K.J. Costello in March when he committed to Stanford. The Wolverines now turn their attention to his top offensive target. 

Dylan Crawford, a dynamic pass-catcher who can fill multiple roles within an aerial attack, travels to Ann Arbor this weekend for an up-close look at the program. Michigan landed Elite 11 passer Brandon Peters this spring and continues to tailor a solid supporting cast around him within its 2016 class.

Crawford, who could ultimately join Costello at Stanford, is also considering Arizona State, Miami and UCLA, among others. He recorded 33 receptions for 561 yards and five scores through the first six games of his senior season, per MaxPreps.

LSU: 5-Star DT Shavar Manuel

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'4", 290 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 8 overall

Fresh off a visit to Florida State, versatile defensive lineman Shavar Manuel makes his way to Baton Rouge. He is another big-time recruit considering both LSU and Florida, who clash in a high-stakes SEC battle this weekend.

Manuel, who spent time in Gainesville earlier this season, is also interested in Auburn and Clemson. His rapport with veteran LSU defensive line coach Ed Orgeron continues to spearhead the Tigers' efforts in this pursuit.

"We chop it up on a daily basis," Manuel told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.

The Tigers remain in the mix for multiple top-tier defensive tackles, so expect head coach Les Miles to come away with a promising collection at the position on national signing day. Manuel has 159 total tackles—26 for loss—and 51 sacks in his high school career, according to MaxPreps.

Ohio State: 5-Star DT Rashard Lawrence

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Neville (Monroe, Louisiana)

Size: 6'3", 305 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 6 defensive tackle; No. 24 overall

The Buckeyes, already carrying commitments from 5-star defensive ends Nick Bosa and Jonathan Cooper, are concentrated on placing a premier tackle in between them. Louisiana product Rashard Lawrence continues to reciprocate interest with Ohio State, journeying to Columbus this weekend.

He included the Buckeyes, Alabama, LSU, Washington and UCLA in his preseason top five. The Bruins received an official visit earlier this month, and now Lawrence departs the Southeast for the second time in three weeks.

Easily among the most explosive defensive linemen in this recruiting cycle, he appears physically and mentally prepared to compete for instant collegiate reps. Lawrence is athletic enough to wreak havoc as an interior pass-rusher while also blowing up the backfield in run support.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.