Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 10

The 2015 college football season rolls into November with building excitement after an initial release of playoff rankings. This month's first slate of games provides plenty of compelling storylines, complete with crucial recruiting visits across America.

The colossal SEC clash between Alabama and LSU in Tuscaloosa will draw enough high school talent to build a title-contending roster at any university. Meanwhile, matchups at Clemson and Ohio State are among other contests that carry potential recruiting implications.

Here's our weekly look at pivotal player visits to keep tabs on during days to come.

Alabama: 5-Star OT Greg Little

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Allen (Allen, Texas)

Size: 6'5 ½", 305 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive tackle; No. 2 overall

Lone Star State standout Greg Little, the top-rated offensive prospect in his class, initially intended to announce a commitment Nov. 4 (his birthday). Instead, the coveted lineman delayed a decision to ensure he has a chance to experience Alabama's game-day atmosphere.

"[The visit] originally was set up for the 31st [of October], but they have a bye that week. I wanted to be there for a game," Little told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.

The anchor of an Allen High School squad that's won three straight state championships previously pledged to Texas A&M. He backed off that verbal commitment this summer, taking official visits to Georgia, LSU and Auburn since. 

Little is still considering a fifth and final official visit at Ole Miss, according to Sayles, though that trip probably won't occur until after he commits somewhere. It's clear Little will land in the SEC, and this is Alabama's best shot to ensure he spends the next few years in Tuscaloosa. 

The Crimson Tide continue to stockpile talent along the offensive front, carrying a commitment from 5-star California tackle Jonah Williams. These two could develop into dominant bookends together when star sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson eventually heads to the NFL.

Alabama claims a commanding lead in Little's 247Sports Crystal Ball. He is projected to sign with the Crimson Tide by 50 percent of experts' predictions, easily outpacing second-place Ole Miss (22 percent).

Oregon: 4-Star WR Javon McKinley

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Centennial (Corona, California)

Size: 6'2", 203 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 19 wide receiver; No. 117 overall

Javon McKinley has spent his high school career posting prolific statistics at Southern California powerhouse Centennial High School. He's compiled 120 receptions for 1,561 yards and 28 touchdowns since last season, per MaxPreps.

His yards-per-catch average (21.3) provides clear indication of McKinley's consistent ability to beat defensive schemes downfield. He is exactly the kind of weapon the Ducks have been searching for since fellow 4-star California wide receiver Theo Howard, now a UCLA pledge, left the class in August.

Notre Dame, Washington and Tennessee already hosted McKinley for official visits this fall, and UCLA is expected to wrap things up with his final official. He plans to pick a university at the Army All-American Bowl, according to USA Today.

Oregon welcomes Cal to campus Saturday for a Pac-12 matchup. The atmosphere has a lot to live up to after McKinley's mid-October trip to Knoxville.

“Probably the experience that has stood out so far is the crowd in Tennessee,” he told USA Today. “It’s a football state and the crowd is into the game in a way that I don’t see at other schools.”

Clemson: 4-Star LB Rahshaun Smith

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'3", 239 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 inside linebacker; No. 69 overall

Rahshaun Smith returns to campus three months after decommitting from the Tigers class. He's kept Clemson in the mix throughout his senior season and will be in the bleachers when Florida State comes to town.

The versatile defender spent official visits at Oregon and LSU earlier this season. IMG teammate Saivion Smith, a 5-star cornerback, committed to LSU last winter and could help lure him to Baton Rouge.

“[Saivion] is my roommate, so he’s constantly in my ear talking about LSU, and he jokes with me about having to tackle [Leonard Fournette] in practice,” Smith told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani. “But that’s competition, which is something that I love."

Auburn and Maryland are also scheduled to host him for official visits before a final decision. This trip to Clemson occurs in an unofficial capacity, according to Derek Tyson of ESPN, so expect Smith to return yet again for an extended official stay.

We stood alongside Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables during IMG's September game at Bergen Catholic High School (New Jersey), further exhibiting Smith's importance to this staff.

He's tallied 89 tackles, three sacks and a fumble-return touchdown through eight games as a senior, per MaxPreps.

Alabama: 5-Star TE Isaac Nauta

Credit: 247Sports

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, the country's top-ranked pass target regardless of position, embarks on his fourth official visit in five weeks. It's been a whirlwind schedule, with trips to Michigan, Georgia and Ole Miss now in the rear-view mirror.

Nauta wasn't initially supposed to make a stop in Tuscaloosa. He planned to spend time at USC this weekend before heading to TCU on Thanksgiving weekend for his final official visit.

Instead, the Trojans' coaching change altered his itinerary and thrust Alabama into the mix. 

The Crimson Tide host an incredible and enviable amount of talent this weekend, but don't expect Nauta to get lost in the shuffle. He's in the discussion among 2016 prospects most physically and fundamentally prepared to make an impact in college next year. 

The former Florida State commit will reveal his intentions at the Army All-American Bowl, giving him more than a month to sort things out after official visits are wrapped up. 

“With Alabama, I’ve never been there for a game,” Nauta told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani last week. “I just want to see the game-day atmosphere there. I want to see if it’s a place I could live for four years."

Ohio State: 4-Star LB Daelin Hayes

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Skyline (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Size: 6'4", 235 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 8 outside linebacker; No. 112 overall

It didn't take Daelin Hayes long to come up with a Plan B after he rescinded his verbal pledge to USC last month. Within days of Steve Sarkisian's dismissal, he laid out a plan to visit five alternative universities.

Notre Dame set the bar high during his first trip, impressing Hayes throughout an October stay in South Bend. Ironically, he watched the Fighting Irish defeat USC.

"They shattered any expectations I had for the visit. It was just a great experience. And the game itself, that was amazing. It was unreal,"  Hayes told Tom Loy of 247Sports.

Ohio State is up next, followed by journeys to Michigan State, Oregon and LSU. The Buckeyes have built an impressive 2016 defensive haul and aim to add another elite linebacker to that collection.

Hayes, who has significant room for growth as an edge-rusher, appears to be embracing this second opportunity to survey collegiate options. Ohio State could potentially push itself to the forefront of his thought process with a memorable experience this weekend.

Texas: 5-Star DB Brandon Jones

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Size: 5'11 ½", 193 lbs.

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 18 overall

If Texas is going to emerge as a national force again under head coach Charlie Strong, the foundation must be built from homegrown talent. Local recruiting efforts haven't been as fertile lately for the Longhorns as in other years.

A 2016 class rated 54th nationally includes just one player considered a top-20 prospect in composite state rankings (wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson).

In contrast, Alabama and LSU carry five combined commitments from that list. A visit from top-ranked Texas defensive back Brandon Jones could be exactly what Strong needs to mount a rebound this cycle.

The well-balanced safety is extremely gifted in multiple phases of the game, providing immediate starter potential. Jones covers ground fluidly in pass coverage and can lay the lumber when providing run support in the box.

Texas A&M, Alabama, Oregon and Ole Miss are among others ardently pursuing the prized prospect. 

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.