7 Most Important Recruiting Visits of Week 7

Recruits are on the move again this weekend, attending meaningful college football matchups on campuses across the country. We're now less than four months shy of national signing day, placing added pressure on hosts to ensure players and their families enjoy a positive experience.

Games remain the top priority for every coaching staff, but as days dwindle in the regular season and February approaches, the result is a steadily rising sense of urgency in recruiting departments. Several have a chance to make strides with coveted targets in the coming days. 

Each week on Bleacher Report, we roll out a list of the most important campus visits to monitor. Here's our latest breakdown, including a pair of premier committed prospects who are headed to enemy territory.

Tennessee: 4-Star OL Drew Richmond (Memphis, Tennessee)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 95 overall, No. 7 among offensive tackles

High School Success

Drew Richmond fires off the ball with precision and quality hand placement, rolling his hips through in an effort to quickly finish off front-line foes. He's athletic enough to reach the second level on run plays and can eliminate linebackers from the equation to create expanded downfield rushing lanes.

Memphis University High School is averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game this season with Richmond leading the charge, per MaxPreps. His teammates pick up more than five yards per carry, and coaches love to direct the ground attack toward his side of the field.

He enjoyed a solid showing this summer at The Opening, an invite-only prospect showcase held at Nike's world headquarters. Richmond's greatest strides seemed to come in pass protection, as he developed a formidable counterpunch against the elite power-rushers in attendance.

Recruitment Status

This visit breathes new life into the Volunteers' attempts to secure this top-tier in-state talent. Richmond, a longtime target of Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, committed to Ole Miss last month.

Though the 6'5", 320-pound prospect's pledge is currently in the clutches of an SEC rival, his decision doesn't seem set in stone. Richmond will spend a long weekend in Knoxville, arriving Thursday and staying through Saturday's game against Chattanooga, per Ryan Callahan of 247Sports.

He is also expected to spend time at Ohio State before signing day. Despite the Rebels' success this season, there are still sizable hurdles to clear in order to get him on campus next year.

His trip to Tennessee should draw considerable interest from Oxford.

North Carolina State: 4-Star RB Nyheim Hines (Garner, North Carolina)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 143 overall, No. 3 among all-purpose backs

High School Success

Garner High School star Nyheim Hines has been an offensive catalyst for the Trojans throughout his career, including a prolific junior season that put him on the map as a national recruit. He rushed for 3,137 yards and 49 touchdowns in 2013, averaging 10.5 yards per carry, according to MaxPreps.

His dual-threat capabilities were on full display last fall, when he added 29 receptions for 599 yards and nine scores. Hines continued to dismantle defenses during the first half of his senior season.

He's rushed for 1,135 yards and 16 touchdowns through six games, per Bill Woodward of the News Observer. 

“Those yards are a testament to my line,” Hines told Woodward. “I’m probably going to be taking them out for a steak soon.”

Recruitment Status

He visited North Carolina State earlier this season, though the team's 2015 running back situation has since changed. The Wolfpack picked up a commitment from fellow in-state rusher Reggie Gallaspy in late September, setting the stage for a potential two-headed monster in the offensive backfield if Hines also gets on board.

Duke presents another nearby opportunity, but several potential options await beyond state borders. Other key offers include Ohio State, Georgia, West Virginia and Florida.

Texas A&M: 4-Star LB Ricky DeBerry (Mechanicsville, Virginia)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 69 overall, No. 7 among outside linebackers

High School Success

Ricky DeBerry, a 6'2.5", 240-pound defender, could line up at multiple positions in college and projects as a menace wherever he ends up in the front seven. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore by tallying 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks, per MaxPreps.

His performance has progressively grown more dominant during the past two seasons due to physical and fundamental maturity. DeBerry, who wreaks havoc at Atlee High School, leads a 4-1 squad into the playoff chase.

Recruitment Status

He took a slight step in the process earlier this week, announcing a top-eight list on Twitter. Aside from Texas A&M, DeBerry is considering Ohio State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Oklahoma, Alabama and Virginia.

His travel itinerary has been packed with recent visits to Tuscaloosa, Knoxville and Norman. Kevin Sumlin and College Station now play host, hoping to reel in a much-needed defensive difference-maker.

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

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 23 overall, No. 2 among weak-side defensive ends

High School Success

Southern California standout Keisean Lucier-South has come a long way in a short time at Orange Lutheran High School. Once considered a raw prospect with high upside and unpolished fundamentals, the 6'5", 225-pound specimen is rounding into form.

He's quickly emerged as a feared pass-rusher who can penetrate the pocket from a stand-up position or three-point stance. His statistics include 67 tackles and 12 sacks since 2013, per MaxPreps.  

Lucier-South's size and scheme versatility make him a coveted recruit at outside linebacker or defensive end, depending who you ask.

“I really liked standing up and was surprised by how much of a difference it makes," he told me last weekend. "I think I’m a better pass-rusher when I start off the play like that. Except, I do think I can generate more power when my hand is in the dirt. I wouldn't say I have a preference of where I line up in college, but I’m excited about the possibility of playing either position."

Recruitment Status

Michigan is mired in turmoil surrounding a three-game losing streak, head coach Brady Hoke's job security and administrative accountability. Still, Lucier-South sees enough potential in Ann Arbor to make the trip.

"It's going to be very interesting when I get there because there are some unknowns," he said. "I don't know if Coach Hoke is going to be there at the end of this season or the start of next year. They're still recruiting me hard as ever, but it's definitely a little weird and a situation I'm not dealing with at other schools."

Lucier-South spent time at UCLA last week and was pleasantly surprised after a September journey to Oklahoma. An official visit to Oregon looms large later this month, but USC, a team once crossed off his list of contenders, seems to be gaining momentum.

"USC is back in the picture," he said. "USC is definitely a team I’m looking at closely. Things have changed in a hurry."

UCLA: 4-Star RB Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 38 overall, No. 2 among running backs

High School Success

Soso Jamabo jumped out to a jaw-dropping start this season at Plano West High School, including a 466-yard effort. The 6'2.5", 210-pound playmaker has 1,091 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns through five games, per Tyler James of the South Bend Tribune.

He's been a relentless force throughout much of his career, including 3,400 total yards and 38 scores as a sophomore and junior. Jamabo is an impressive receiver (more than 40 catches since 2012) and flashed those skills during seven-on-seven action at The Opening.

Recruitment Status

Based on his official visits, Jamabo is willing to play college ball anywhere in the country. He spent time in South Bend last month to watch Notre Dame dismantle Michigan. 

Alabama and Arkansas extended offers earlier this year, but Texas A&M is the best bet to land Jamabo if he opts to stay in the Lone Star State.

Iowa: 5-Star LB Justin Hilliard (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 25 overall, No. 2 among outside linebackers

High School Success

Justin Hilliard serves as a wrecking ball at the heart of St. Xavier High School's defensive attack. Despite missing some time with an injury as a junior, he managed to compile 80 tackles and five sacks, according to GoUpstate.com.

The 6'0", 225-pound prospect is a passionate competitor and natural leader who hits with enough power to intimidate opponents. At his finest, he's a tackling machine who is capable of shutting down rushing efforts from sideline to sideline and blitzing the quarterback with above-average quickness.

Recruitment Status

Hilliard, committed to Ohio State since July, remains the team's top-rated recruit. He visited the Buckeyes earlier this season and is known as a prospect who spends time selling the program to other top-tier targets.

Many wondered how Iowa would factor into this recruitment, considering his older brother is a freshman Hawkeyes running back. Pat Harty of The Des Moines Register believes this visit is about more than just a sign of respect to family.

"[Kirk] Ferentz still must think there is a chance to convince Justin Hilliard to switch his commitment or he wouldn't have approved the visit," Harty wrote. "Even if Ferentz thinks it's a one-in-a-million chance, it's worth spending the time, resources and energy trying to land a recruit of Justin Hilliard's stature."

Texas Tech: 4-Star WR Carlos Strickland (Dallas, Texas)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 139 overall, No. 15 among wide receivers.

High School Success

The Skyline High School star developed into one of Texas' most dynamic downfield threats as a junior, catching 33 passes for 719 yards and 10 touchdowns. His ability to break away for long gains and stretch defensive secondaries at 6'5", 194 pounds is appealing enough to warrant dozens of scholarship offers.

Carlos Strickland started his senior season in impressive fashion in a 33-30 overtime victory. He caught seven passes for 132 yards and two scores in the win, per Jon Poorman of The Villager.

Recruitment Status

Strickland commanded substantial interest after a breakout 2013 campaign, collecting offers from the likes of Clemson, Miami and Wisconsin. His official visit schedule also includes UCLA, Cal and TCU, three of his four finalists.

The Red Raiders are in pursuit of several standout receivers who possess instant-impact potential, and Strickland fits the bill. He's down to just a few options and is expected to announce a decision in early November.

Recruit ratings and statistics courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.