6 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 8

Another busy weekend of action awaits college football teams across the country and America's premier prospects will be in attendance at several locations. From SEC country to Pac-12 territory, top high school players are expected to spend time on campuses and watch their potential future teams compete.

Through the first two months of this season, Bleacher Report has placed the spotlight on recruits who are hitting the road to visit marquee programs on game day. Here's our latest look, with an eye on the VIP attendees you need to know about.

Florida State: 5-Star DB Tarvarus McFadden (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 30 overall; No. 4 among cornerbacks

High School Success

Overshadowed at times by 5-star offensive teammates Sony Michel and Torrance Gibson, Tarvarus McFadden is one of the most talented defensive backs in America. The 6'3", 198-pound prospect was a pivotal piece of an American Heritage High School squad that claimed a 2013 state title and he continues to excel as a senior.

He's tallied 23 tackles and two interceptions this season, well on his way to establishing new career-best statistics. McFadden, a rangy defender who matches up well against physically imposing receivers, should contribute early in college with few noticeable shortcoming in his approach.

Recruitment Status

We're down to the final stretch of McFadden's recruitment, which is expected to end with a Halloween announcement. Longtime favorite Florida State has a final shot at showcasing its unique atmosphere as Notre Dame comes to town for a battle of unbeatens.

The Seminoles' top competitors for his commitment are LSU and Georgia. He's viewed this visit as a pivotal moment in the process since he set it.

"After that [visit to FSU], I'll pretty much know," he told Safid Deen of the Miami Herald.

Oregon: 5-Star DT Rasheem Green (Gardena, California)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 14 overall; No. 3 among defensive tackles

High School Success

Junipero Serra High School is perennially packed with top college prospects and this senior class continues that trend. Rasheem Green, the county's top-ranked uncommitted defensive tackle, is the best of the bunch.

He leads the Southern California title contender with 19 tackles for loss and five sacks. Dating back to the start of his junior season, Green has 100 total tackles and 19 sacks, per MaxPreps.

The 6'5", 275-pound beast is arguably the nation's most effective interior pass-rusher and contains rushing lanes with authority. He will compete in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Recruitment Status

Green continues to look like a prospect destined to remain on the West Coast. Oregon, along with USC and UCLA, provides potential for early playing time with a top Pac-12 program.

He visited the Ducks this spring and this return trip gives the team another opportunity to convince him to head north. Green will travel alongside teammate John Houston, a 4-star outside linebacker who leads Junipero Serra with 96 tackles this season. 

The duo could become a "package deal" for one lucky college coaching staff.

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

Credit: 247Sports

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

High School Success

Carlos Strickland is a rare downfield weapon who lights up opposing secondaries at Skyline High School. He flashes above-average speed at 6'5", 194 pounds and few cornerbacks can contend with his catch radius, making him a desirable red-zone target.

His junior season was widely viewed as a breakout campaign. Strickland averaged more than 20 yards per reception and hauled in 10 touchdown passes.

Recruitment Status

Strickland landed offers from Miami, Wisconsin and Clemson after last season, taking his recruitment to a national level. However, he appears likely to stay out west with TCU, Cal, Texas Tech and UCLA emerging as finalists.

Strickland traveled to Texas Tech last weekend, where he was courted by the Red Raiders. This time it's Cal's turn to deliver a sales pitch.

The Golden Bears have been badly out-recruited by Pac-12 contemporaries, particularly for in-state talent. Strickland, who is set to announce his decision next month, presents an opportunity for Cal to pull in a stud playmaker from beyond the region.

The clock is rapidly ticking toward a conclusion in his recruitment, so this is a pivotal visitor for head coach Sonny Dykes.

Alabama: 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 collected 13 sacks and 72 tackles in 2013, establishing himself as one of Florida's most coveted collegiate prospects. The 6'4", 250-pound Armwood High School standout spearheads a stingy defense that has helped the team start this season with six straight victories.

He has 29 tackles, including 14 for loss, and five sacks through six contests, per MaxPreps. Cowart has managed to maintain consistency, despite facing consistent double-team blocking efforts.

Recruitment Status

Cowart, considered a Florida lean, visited Gainesville last weekend. Although the Gators are facing serious questions about coaching staff stability, popular opinion still puts the dominant pass-rusher in the Swamp next season.

He used an official visit at Maryland last month and now heads to Tuscaloosa, where head coach Nick Saban is always seeking elite reinforcements across the defensive front. Cowart's whirlwind recruitment is expected to continue deep into the season, with upcoming campus trips set for Oregon, Florida and Florida State.

Alabama: 5-Star DE CeCe Jefferson (Glen Saint Mary, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 6 overall; No. 2 strong-side defensive end

High School Success

The Baker County High School star earned an invitation to The Opening this summer after dominant sophomore and junior campaigns. CeCe Jefferson burst onto the scene with 15 sacks in 2012 and has continued to make strides since, developing physically and fundamentally.

Unfortunately, his senior season came to a screeching halt in September. Jefferson, who stands 6'2", 250 pounds, suffered a shoulder injury that will cost him the remainder of his high school career.

He'll be wearing a college uniform the next time we see him chasing quarterbacks.

Recruitment Status

Earlier, we mentioned the possibility of California defensive tandem Rasheem Green and John Houston becoming a "package deal" on national signing day. That is almost certainly the case when it comes to Jefferson and fellow Florida defensive end Byron Cowart.

The dynamic duo attended last Saturday's Gators game against LSU and have spent substantial time on the road together throughout this process. Their latest journey takes them to Tuscaloosa, where they'll hear what Crimson Tide coaches have to say about a possible partnership in Crimson.

Jefferson spent an official visit at Ole Miss earlier this month.

Florida State: 4-Star DB Calvin Brewton (Miami Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 289 overall; No. 17 safety

High School Success

Calvin Brewton is a multiyear defensive stalwart at national powerhouse Miami Central High School. The 6'0", 185-pound playmaker punishes opponents with ideal physicality against the run, providing an intimidating presence in the defensive backfield.

He continues to develop improved pass coverage skills and has reached the point where he could be counted on to fill multiple roles in a collegiate secondary. Brewton accepted an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Recruitment Status

His January commitment to the Seminoles remains intact, but Notre Dame could threaten to swipe him away from the Sunshine State. Brewton spent a long-awaited official visit weekend in South Bend earlier this month and left the door open for a potential flip.

"I'm still solid to the 'Noles," he told me days before his visit. "This Notre Dame visit is something I need to do, though. It's a place I need to check out for myself. Other than those two schools, I'm not really considering much else right now."

The outcome of Saturday's matchup could weigh heavily on his mind moving forward.

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