8 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 6
The first weekend of October is loaded with fantastic showdowns on college football fields in every corner of the country. Along with avid fanbases, a bevy of big-time recruits will be in attendance to take in the action.
Several schools are set host elite collections of high school talent from the 2015 and 2016 classes. These athletes are capable of becoming eventual cornerstones for collegiate programs and could come to define the next half-decade of success for coaching staffs currently in pursuit.
Each week we examine the most important campus visits expected to take place, keeping a close eye on the successes and recruitment of each athlete. Here's a look at the latest and perhaps most star-studded travel schedule for America's top players we've seen this season.
Florida State: 5-Star DB Kevin Toliver (Jacksonville, Florida)
1 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 7 nationally, No. 2 among cornerbacks
High School Success
Kevin Toliver rose to prominence as an underclassman at Northern Florida powerhouse Trinity Christian Academy, a talent-packed program that perennially produces top collegiate prospects. He may be the best of the bunch, warranting dozens of early scholarship offers and respect as an elite, college-ready defensive back.
The 6'2", 185-pound prospect patrols the secondary with authority, roaming in pass coverage with a physique typically reserved for linebackers. His smooth strides are best utilized in press-man schemes that enable him to incorporate both strength and finesse while shadowing receivers.
"I'm definitely a physical cornerback. That's how I like to play," Toliver told me in July.
The rangy defender helped lead Trinity Christian to a state title in 2013.
Recruitment Status
Toliver pledged to LSU as a sophomore, but that hasn't stopped him from maximizing official visit opportunities this season. He traveled to Virginia Tech and Ohio State in September and begins October with a trip to Tallahassee.
His allegiance remains with Les Miles and the Tigers, but Toliver continues to present other coaches with opportunities to provide sales pitches for their programs. His nationwide tour is also expected to include stops in Auburn and UCLA, per Barton Simmons of 247Sports.
Ole Miss: 4-Star WR DaMarkus Lodge (Cedar Hill, Texas)
2 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 35 overall; No. 6 among wide receivers
High School Success
DaMarkus Lodge took center stage in the Lone Star State during his junior campaign. The 6'2.5", 190-pound playmaker erupted for 72 receptions in his first season as a starter at perennial title contender Cedar Hill High School.
He torched opposing defenses for 1,255 receiving yards and 22 scores as a junior. Lodge earned offensive MVP honors in a state title game victory, capping off his breakout fall.
"Last season, I proved what I can do to a lot of people," he told me this summer. "That was big for me and definitely showed something to college teams."
He's now a known commodity, and his game-by-game production hasn't been quite as prolific (172 receiving yards through four games, per MaxPreps) with defensive game plans specifically geared toward limiting open looks for Lodge. However, he's still managed to reel in six touchdown tosses as a senior.
Recruitment Status
Lodge became a key component of Texas A&M's recruiting class in June, joining 5-star quarterback Kyler Murray in a group primed to reload an already potent Aggies offensive attack. However, that duo isn't destined to come to fruition after all.
He decommitted in September, opening the door for several new suitors to enter the equation. After spending time at USC, Lodge is headed to Oxford for Ole Miss' highly anticipated matchup against Alabama.
This isn't a new option for the Texas standout. He expressed interest in the Rebels earlier, putting the team in his top three this spring.
"I think they are going to dominate the SEC," he told 247Sports reporter Ryan Bartow (subscription required) in April. "Especially (wide receivers) Quincy Adeboyejo and Laquon Treadwell. I’m picking them to win it.”
Ole Miss has an opportunity to validate Lodge's optimism Saturday with him in attendance for a crucial conference showdown.
Tennessee: 5-Star 2016 RB Tavien Feaster (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
3 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 11 overall in 2016 class, No. 2 among running backs
High School Success
Tavien Feaster follows in the footsteps of past Spartansburg area running backs Stephen Davis and Marcus Lattimore. He understands it's a lot to live up to, but the comparisons provide him with constant motivation.
"I know both of them and really respect the things they’ve accomplished," Feaster told me this season. "They’ve been where I want to be someday. I want to break all their records here and be better than them. It’s a goal, but I don’t let it make me feel pressure.”
He tallied 2,162 yards and 27 total touchdowns as a sophomore, catching 44 passes in the process. Feaster has continued to flash multidimensional skills this season, totaling 359 yards and four scores through his first three games, per MaxPreps.
Recruitment Status
Feaster remains in the relatively early stages of his courtship with college programs, but a rapidly expanding offer list already presents plenty of possibilities. Clemson and South Carolina have each extended scholarships, but there are several schools to consider beyond state borders.
Teams in pursuit include Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Penn State and Florida.
“This time last year, I had just received my first offer. Now, everything is a lot different," he told me in September. "The process has really picked up. I’m looking for a place with great history, where I can come in, make a difference and win big games."
Tennessee has its first chance to show him what Knoxville can offer when he comes to town this weekend.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Auburn: 5-Star WR Christian Kirk (Scottsdale, Arizona)
4 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 33 overall, No. 5 among wide receivers
High School Success
Christian Kirk has spent the past three years serving as a central component of an explosive offensive attack at Saguaro High School. The 5'10", 191-pound weapon eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season while adding an additional 822 yards on the ground during a 2013 state championship run.
He tallied 30 offensive touchdowns last fall while compiling 55 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Kirk continues to drive defensive coordinators crazy during his senior campaign.
His prodigious performance this fall features 27 receptions for 568 yards and 10 touchdowns through five games. Kirk has also carried the ball 15 times for 269 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a whopping 18 yards per rushing attempt.
"Christian has the ability to break any play at any time as long as the ball touches his hands," 5-star UCLA quarterback pledge Josh Rosen told me this summer after competing with Kirk in July at The Opening.
Recruitment Status
He focused on trimming down a lengthy list of collegiate options during the latter stages of summer. Kirk cut it down to six squads in August: Ohio State, UCLA, Auburn, Texas A&M, USC and Arizona State.
His official visit to Texas A&M garnered attention last month because of an established friendship with 5-star Aggies quarterback commit Kyler Murray. However, he's expressed interest in Auburn's offense and will be able to take a closer look this weekend.
"I want an offensive coordinator who is open to me playing every wide receiver position on the field," Kirk told me this summer. "I may not be 6'3", but I can be a true top target who stretches the field and creates problems for defenses."
Oklahoma State: 4-Star DT Tim Settle (Manassas, Viginia)
5 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 76 overall, No. 10 defensive tackle
High School Success
Tim Settle is a stout run-stuffing defender who also possesses enough wiggle to make an impact in pass-rushing efforts. The 6'2", 339-pound prospect picked up a career-best 92 tackles in 2013.
He tallied four sacks as a junior and does more than just use his raw strength to pound opposing offensive lines. Settle slams into the backfield with a tremendous fire-off and moves well laterally, exhibiting short-area quickness that few top blockers can contend with in the trenches.
Recruitment Status
Virginia Tech hosted Settle last weekend and seems to be a in good position to land him on national signing day. His other top contenders include Clemson, West Virginia and Penn State.
Settle spent time in Stillwater this summer and will return for another glimpse of campus this weekend. If he does decide to head west, Oklahoma State is the likely landing spot.
USC: 5-Star CB Kendall Sheffield (Missouri City, Texas)
6 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 17 overall, No. 3 among cornerbacks
High School Success
Cornerback Kendall Sheffield ranks among the most accomplished multi-sport high school athletes in America. The 6'0", 181-pound speedster is a scheme-altering defensive back and state-champion hurdler who posted nationally ranked times as a junior.
Sheffield is an underrated run defender who does an excellent job of wrapping up in the open field and implements elite closing speed to chase down ball-carriers. Though he is infrequently targeted by opposing quarterbacks, his six interceptions since 2012 indicate an ability to disrupt passing lanes in traffic.
Recruitment Status
Sheffield continues his tour of campuses with a trip to the West Coast, per Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times. He follows up a late September visit to Ohio State by journeying to USC, a team still very much in the running for fellow 5-star cornerback Iman Marshall.
Sheffield, viewed as a strong candidate to spend his college career in the SEC at either Texas A&M or Alabama, is also expected to visit Florida State later this month.
Ole Miss: 4-Star WR Ryan Newsome (Aledo, Texas)
7 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 228 overall, No. 27 wide receiver
High School Success
Ryan Newsome tied a national record last season with seven punt returns for touchdowns. It's a dynamic of his game that makes him far more dangerous than an average receiver.
"Teams started to just stop kicking me the ball," he told me this season. "I'm proud to be known as a great punt returner, but I can also do a lot more than that."
His pass-catching abilities aren't the first thing people focus on while assessing what he brings to the field. However, elite special team skills don't fully define him.
Newsome caught 10 touchdowns as a junior, adding another 826 yards and eight scores on the ground.
Recruitment Status
Newsome revealed a top-five list earlier this year, consisting of Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, Notre Dame and UCLA. That outlook shifted in September, when he and the Ducks decided to go their separate ways. He cancelled an official visit for the team's matchup against Michigan State.
Ole Miss has since emerged as a strong candidate for his commitment, and he'll make the trip with fellow 4-star Texas receiver DaMarkus Lodge. This visit is the culmination of a longstanding relationship with the Rebels.
"They are recruiting me super hard," Newsome told Bleacher Report's Kynon Codrington. "They've been keeping tabs on me since my sophomore year, and they offered my junior year. They've been on me ever since. I even talk to Coach (Hugh) Freeze a lot, too."
Rutgers: 5-Star 2016 RB Kareem Walker
8 of 8
247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 6 overall in 2016 class, No. 1 running back
High School Success
Kareem Walker continues to validate his status as the top 2016 rusher. The 6'1", 210-pound playmaker has picked up at least 100 yards and two touchdowns in every game this season.
He's rushed for 747 yards and 12 scores this fall on 81 carries through four games, per NJ.com. Walker is on pace to surpass his sophomore season statistics before November.
That 2013 campaign included 1,164 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He's managed to add weight in the past year without sacrificing breakaway speed.
Recruitment Status
Walker returns to Rutgers for the second time in four weeks, offering the Scarlet Knights an opportunity to make further inroads with a primary in-state target. He attended the team's Big 10 debut against Penn State last month and is likely to return to campus again this season at some point.
His offer list also includes Clemson, Florida State, Miami and Alabama. Walker will ultimately have his pick of practically every FBS program.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
