6 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 5

The final weekend of September presents another compelling slate of college football matchups on campuses across the country. Recruits will be on the move again as another wave of official visits provides the latest stepping stone toward national signing day.

In the coming days, elite Texas talents will journey beyond state borders and a marquee Miami commit heads north. Continue reading for our weekly look at the most important prospect trips set to take place Saturday.

USC: 4-Star WR DaMarkus Lodge (Cedar Hill, Texas)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 36 overall; No. 6 among wide receivers

High School Success

Cedar Hill High School star DaMarkus Lodge led his squad to a state title last season, earning MVP honors in the title game. He became a starter in 2013 and broke out in a big way, catching 72 passes for 1,255 yards and 22 touchdowns.

He's significantly off that pace so far this fall, with nine receptions for 172 yards through four games, per MaxPreps. However, his six scores indicate elite ability to change the game on any play.

Recruitment Status

Plenty has changed for Lodge since the season started. He reopened his recruitment earlier this month, decommitting from Texas A&M.

It gives him an opportunity to assess things differently this time around.

"When I made that decision, I was very, very young," Lodge told Beacher Report's Kynon Codrington. "I didn't look into the program or what was best for me. I was really going off the hype. I've matured a lot since I committed."

His new journey begins in Los Angeles this weekend. He'll watch USC battle Oregon State with high school teammate and Trojans running back commit Aca'Cedric Ware.

"I've never been out to L.A.," Lodge told Codrington. "I think it's going to be pretty fun. I know what kind of program USC is. They are going to play three or four receivers, but they are going to have their main go-to guys."

He is also expected to spend an official visit at Ole Miss. Baylor has a chance to emerge as his possible in-state landing spot.

Virginia Tech: 4-Star DT Tim Settle (Manassas, Virginia)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 75 overall; No. 10 among defensive tackles

High School Success

Athletic big man Tim Settle has spent plenty of time in offensive backfields throughout his career at Stonewall Jackson High School. The 6'2", 339-pound defender piled up 92 total tackles and four sacks in 2013.

He made a major leap during his sophomore season, when he compiled 72 tackles. Settle is a strong interior defender who packs plenty of punch on his initial burst and blows up opposing game plans.

Recruitment Status

Settle is a primary in-state target for Virginia Tech, along with 5-star defensive end Josh Sweat. The Hokies have plenty of company in this pursuit, including rival Virginia. 

He traveled to West Virginia last week and spent time at Penn State this summer. Tennessee and Clemson are also top contenders to sign Settle.

NC State: 3-Star RB Reggie Gallaspy (Greensboro, North Carolina)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 500 overall; No. 39 among running backs

High School Success

Southern Guilford High School running back Reggie Gallaspy rose to prominence as a sophomore when he rumbled for 1,751 yards and 20 touchdowns. The 5'11", 205-pound prospect picks up steam in a hurry and excels between the tackles as a physical force.

Gallaspy gained 1,700 yards on the ground again in 2013, increasing his scoring output to 26 touchdowns. Fresh off a 354-yard effort against Ben L. Smith High School last weekend, he's on pace to obliterate his season-high statistics. 

Through five games, Gallaspy is averaging 11 yards per carry en route to 1,404 rushing yards and 18 scores, per MaxPreps. He's picked up at least 240 rushing yards in each matchup.

Recruitment Status

North Carolina State has been persistent in its pursuit of Gallaspy since the earliest stages of his recruitment. The Wolfpack welcomed him to campus earlier this season and will focus on moving toward a commitment during his return trip.

Duke is the team's biggest in-state threat, but there are several potential suitors elsewhere. Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Arkansas are also worth keeping an eye on as things progress toward signing day.

Ohio State: 5-Star DB Kendall Sheffield (Missouri City, Texas)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 16 overall; No. 3 among cornerbacks

High School Success

Kendall Sheffield, a state-champion hurdler, has athletic abilities that stand up against any cornerback in this class. The 6'0", 181-pound playmaker is smooth in downfield coverage, makes up ground in a hurry and hits with ferocity.

He picked off six passes during the past two seasons at Fort Bend Marshall High School. His most impressive progress has come as a run defender, as Sheffield flashes instincts and necessary willingness to make an impact near the line of scrimmage.

Recruitment Status

Marshall is widely expected to end up in the SEC, but this visit to Ohio State shows he's at least willing to explore other options. The Buckeyes are attempting to land a top-tier cornerback in this class and hosted 5-star Florida prospect Kevin Toliver on campus earlier this month.

Alabama and Texas A&M have emerged as the favorites to land Marshall. He is expected to use an official visit at Florida State in October.

Utah: 4-Star WR Jaylinn Hawkins (Buena Park, California)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 257 overall; No. 34 among wide receivers

High School Success

Jaylinn Hawkins enjoyed a solid junior season, snagging 54 passes for 777 yards and three scores. He may match those totals by the midpoint of his senior campaign.

Hawkins racked up 571 total receiving yards in Buena Park High School's first two games and has six touchdown receptions. His statistics rank among national leaders and have been one of the surprising storylines of this season in California.

“The first few games have been real fun,” Hawkins told Kenny Connolly of the Orange County Register. “Overall as a unit, we’re just really connecting. It’s nice to see how we’ve grown and developed. The hard work’s paid off.”

Recruitment Status

Hawkins has quickly become a coveted target in Pac-12 territory, with several offers on the table. He visited Oregon during the opening weekend and a trip to Washington is in the works for November.

The 6'1", 180-pound prospect picked up an offer from Utah last winter. 

His recruitment could receive a serious shake-up if either USC or UCLA extend a scholarship during the final stretch toward signing day.

Wisconsin: Jordan Scarlett (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 76 overall; No. 7 among running backs

High School Success

The speedy rusher has starred for two premier Southern Florida programs. Jordan Scarlett initially led the charge at University School, where he gained 2,800 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground between 2011 and 2013. 

His transfer to St. Thomas Aquinas hasn't slowed him down much. Scarlett surged for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener. 

Recruitment Status

Could he consider making a third commitment before signing day? 

Scarlett surprised just about everyone when he pledged to FAU following his junior season. He had a change of heart this summer and decommitted.

His second commitment occurred in July at The Opening, where he announced his allegiance to Miami on national television. Still, he isn't satisfied enough to close the book on his recruitment just yet.

Scarlett heads to Madison, where running backs have made quite an impact over the years. He'll have a chance to watch Heisman Trophy candidate Melvin Gordon in action against South Florida.

Recruit rankings and stats courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.