8 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 3

College football season is in full swing as the third weekend of games gets underway across the country. These matchups are more meaningful than what shows up on the scoreboard since top-tier prospects will again journey to universities for a firsthand look at game-day activities.

Coaches and support staffs will be busy this weekend, catering to top-tier recruits who could impact their programs for years to come. Some seniors are set to utilize official visits, while younger players present teams with an opportunity to make an early impact in their recruitment.

Keep reading for our weekly rundown of the crucial campus visits you need to know about, with analysis about how each prospect rose to prominence.

Oklahoma: 5-Star DE Keisean Lucier-South (Orange, California)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 22 nationally, No. 2 among weak-side defensive ends

High School Success

Keisean Lucier-South has always been a special athletic specimen, but it wasn't until 2013 when he truly began to carve out his place among premier defensive ends. The 6'5", 225-pound prospect led Orange Lutheran with 10 sacks as a junior.

He is a high-ceiling defender who is still learning how to use fundamentals to further natural ability. Lucier-South made substantial strides last season and sounded like a willing learner at The Opening, an invite-only football showcase held in July at Nike's world headquarters.

"I know there are things I need to work on to become a more complete player," he said. "That's my focus, and I already feel like I've improved many things."

Lucier-South has 13 tackles, including four for loss, through two games this year, per MaxPreps.

Recruitment Status

If he elects to stay in Southern California, UCLA is the front-runner. However, options have surfaced across the country.

Oklahoma welcomes him to campus this weekend, but several upcoming visits loom large. Lucier-South is also set to spend time at Michigan and Oregon before November.

Texas A&M: 5-Star WR Christian Kirk (Saguaro, Arizona)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 34 overall, No. 5 among wide receivers

High School Success

Few players in the 2015 class can measure up to Saguaro High School standout Christian Kirk when it comes to all-around production. The 5'10", 191-pound playmaker led his team to a state title in 2013, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season and rumbling for a career-best 832 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Kirk is off to a sensational start as a senior, once again exhibiting his versatile skill set. He has 415 offensive yards and four touchdowns through two games.

The coveted recruit is averaging nearly 28 yards per touch as a rusher and receiver.

"Christian has the ability to break any play at any time as long as the ball touches his hands," top-ranked quarterback Josh Rosen said this summer.

Recruitment Status

Kirk announced his top six teams in August, eliminating several squads in the process. Texas A&M, Auburn, Ohio State, UCLA, Arizona State and USC remain in the mix.

He has a strong rapport with 5-star Aggies quarterback commit Kyler Murray. The two teamed up to create an explosive tandem during seven-on-seven tournament action at The Opening.

"He's my boy and he knows the deal," Murray said. "I don't think I even need to say anything to Christian about (recruiting)."

Kirk is keeping a close eye on how programs plan to use him.

"I want an offensive coordinator who is open to me playing every wide receiver position on the field," Kirk said. "When a guy tells me, 'We want you here in the slot,' and they don't plan to move me anywhere else, that's not what I'm looking for. I may not be 6'3", but I can be a true top target who stretches the field and creates problems for defenses."

South Carolina: 5-Star DE Byron Cowart (Seffner, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 4 overall, No. 1 among strong-side defensive ends

High School Success

Byron Cowart doesn't look like he belongs at Armwood High School. Given his musclebound physique and elite strength, it almost seems he's been competing at the collegiate level for multiple seasons.

The 6'4", 250-pound defensive end is extremely disruptive and uses an unparalleled physique to overpower opponents. Cowart collected 13 sacks and 72 tackles in 2013, emerging as one of the most feared edge-rushers in Florida for a team that won 14 games.

"I'm trying to outwork whoever I line up against," Cowart said this summer.

He has 12 tackles, including six for loss, and a sack in two games as a senior, per MaxPreps.

Recruitment Status

Cowart surprised many when he opted to return to College Park after visiting the Terps in late June. Viewed as a longtime Florida Gators lean, the defender has several teams in the mix for his services.

Florida State, Oregon and Auburn are among other squads that are still in hot pursuit. Maryland has enjoyed a solid recruiting cycle during its first year as a Big Ten member and could bolster those efforts by securing a commitment from the Sunshine State star.

Rutgers: 5-Star 2016 DT Rashan Gary (Scotch Plains, New Jersey)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 5 overall in 2016 class, No. 1 among defensive tackles

High School Success

Rashan Gary, a 6'4" Paramus Catholic High School junior, racked up 58 tackles, including 13 for loss, and two sacks as a sophomore. He was clearly the best lineman in attendance at Nike's regional training camp in New Jersey this spring and was one of just three 2016 prospects to earn an invite to The Opening.

He held his own in Oregon, taking some of the country's top offensive linemen by surprise.

"He's way above his level when compared to other players at that age," 5-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt said at The Opening. "He's going to be fun to watch in the future because he has everything a defensive lineman needs to be dominant at the next level."

Gary belongs on the short list of players who warrant consideration as the top overall 2016 recruit.

Recruitment Status

Unsurprisingly, Gary is among the most sought-after members of the class, and his offers sheet has rapidly expanded throughout high school. Things really began to take off following the 2013 season, as offers from SEC programs began to arrive for the Northeast standout.

"It felt like things really reached a new level when the SEC offers started arriving," Gary said. "When I realized those teams decided early that they want me, it was an honor. That's grown-man football."

Rutgers hosted him for a scrimmage last month and aims to help its chances for early Big Ten title contention by keeping players like Gary at home. The Scarlet Knights are set to welcome a slew of standout players for Saturday's matchup against Penn State, but few will command a larger share of the spotlight.

Oklahoma: 4-Star LB Ricky DeBerry (Richmond, Virginia)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 70 overall, No. 7 among outside linebackers

High School Success

The Atlee High School standout is a hybrid defender who is capable of competing in a stand-up role or with his hand in the dirt. Ricky DeBerry, a 6'2.5", 255-pound beast, bulldozes through blocking schemes and holds his own along the perimeter.

He burst onto the scene with 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a sophomore, per MaxPreps. DeBerry began his career at St. Christopher's High School.

Recruitment Status

DeBerry holds nearly 50 scholarship offers but has progressively whittled down those options. He attended Virginia's season-opening loss to UCLA and is expected to visit several campuses this season.

Oklahoma hosts him as part of a star-studded recruiting weekend. Alabama, Tennessee and Texas A&M are also in his official visit itinerary.

South Carolina: 4-Star WR Darius Slayton (Norcross, Georgia)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 169 overall, No. 19 wide receiver

High School Success

Darius Slayton is a dynamic athlete who claimed state titles in the 100- and 200-meter sprints as a sophomore. He's evolved from speedster to capable receiver during the past two seasons, securing 33 receptions for 940 yards and eight touchdowns last fall, per Phil Kornblut of GoUpstate.com.

The 6'2", 182-pound prospect has been one of the most productive seniors in America this season. Through three games, Slayton owns 14 catches, 288 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

“He’s pretty special,” Greater Atlanta Christian coach Tim Hardy told Michael Carvell of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He really is. He gets after it and does a great job."

Recruitment Status

Slayton has favored Auburn and Georgia since the early stages of his recruitment. He visited the Bulldogs season opener and will see the team in action again this weekend.

South Carolina has a chance to make inroads Saturday, looking to make up ground in a SEC-heavy race that also includes LSU. Slayton will arrive on campus with an open-minded approach.

"I like them," he told Kornblut. "I want to go on the visit to hopefully increase my interest. I just like them. I like the institution, Coach Spurrier and stuff like that."

Ole Miss: 4-Star OL Javon Patterson (Petal, Mississippi)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 51 overall, No. 2 offensive guard

High School Success

Javon Patterson is considered an elite interior lineman for good reason. The 6'2", 290-pound prospect has polished fundamentals, above-average reach and underrated athleticism.

He clocked a 5.06 in the 40-yard dash at The Opening and registered an impressive 24-inch vertical leap. Patterson anchors Petal High School's offensive front with a mean streak and got the better of several premier defensive prospects during one-on-one drills at The Opening.

Recruitment Status

Patterson trimmed things down to five programs in May, focusing on strictly SEC squads. Aside from Ole Miss, he is still considering Alabama, Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida.

Mississippi State hosted him during opening weekend, and now the in-state rival Rebels have an opportunity to sway his interest. Auburn is widely viewed as the strongest contender beyond state borders.

Rutgers: 5-Star 2016 RB Kareem Walker (Wayne, New Jersey)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 6 overall in 2016 class; No. 1 running back

High School Success

The nation's top-ranked sophomore rusher averaged 10 yards per carry in 2013, gaining 1,164 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Kareem Walker carried that momentum into his junior season opener, picking up 150 yards and two scores in last weekend's opener, per Rivals.com.

The 6'1", 210-pound playmaker is a catalyst for perennial New Jersey title contender DePaul Catholic High School.

Recruitment Status

Walker already has his choice of practically every big-time collegiate program midway through an impressive high school career. Alabama, Clemson, Miami and Florida State are just a few of the schools that have extended offers.

He'll have a chance to check out two highly interested programs Saturday evening when he attends Rutgers' Big Ten debut against Penn State. Both teams offered early and aim to keep Walker in the Northeast at the next level.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.