6 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 11

The inaugural college football postseason race may be the most important element of this weekend's pivotal schedule, but it remains imperative to keep an eye on the 2015 recruiting cycle with just three months separating us from national signing day. The second weekend of November features meaningful matchups on the field and several compelling prospect visits across the country.

These coveted players could ultimately reshape future campaigns for each program by providing a serious infusion of talent on both sides of the ball. Here's our weekly look at top recruits who plan to spend time on campuses.

Arizona State: 5-Star WR Christian Kirk (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 29 overall; No. 5 among wide receivers

High School Success

Simply put, Christian Kirk is a jack-of-all-trades on the football field. The 5'10", 191-pound playmaker has spent his career at Saguaro High School shouldering the load of a potent offensive attack.

He has 189 receptions since 2011, resulting in 3,643 yards and 48 touchdowns, per MaxPreps. Kirk has also become an effective rusher as an upperclassman, gaining 1,753 yards and 27 scores on the ground since the start of his junior season.

This remarkable combination of production places him among the country's premier offensive weapons. He led Saguaro to a state championship last season and is now just 22 receiving yards shy of the all-time Arizona record, per Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic.

Recruitment Update

No in-state recruiting target is more important to Arizona State than Kirk. He spent last weekend at UCLA and is also considering offers from Ohio State and Auburn, so this weekend presents a major opportunity for the Sun Devils to sell him on the idea of staying home.

He'll be surrounded by some elite company, including 4-star Arizona State quarterback commit Brady White. Both players attended The Opening this summer, when White actively recruited Kirk.

"I've been in Christian's ear a little bit," White told me in July  "It's coming down to crunch time with recruiting, and these decisions aren't easy, so you want to give guys their space, but I've said some things about ASU. Hopefully he liked them."

LSU: 5-Star LB Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas)

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 13 overall; No. 1 among outside linebackers

High School Success

Poteet High School standout Malik Jefferson is a dynamic defender who appears primed to make significant strides as he develops physically. The 6'2.5", 215-pound prospect exploded onto the national recruiting scene as a sophomore, securing 105 tackles and seven sacks.

He took his game to another level in 2013, developing improved pass-rushing skills that resulted in a career-high 12 sacks. Jefferson, who forced eight fumbles during that two-season stretch, is a heavy hitter who rattles opponents and makes players think twice before crossing his path.

He's helped Poteet jump out to an 8-1 record this fall and figures to play a prominent role in the program's postseason success.

Recruitment Update

Jefferson is widely expected to stay in his home state, either with Texas or Texas A&M. However, he continues to explore options elsewhere, with schools like LSU and Oklahoma entering the equation. 

The Tigers face a heavy task this weekend when it comes to convincing him Baton Rouge is his ideal destination, but Les Miles has proved he can procure top-tier players from beyond state borders. Alabama, a fringe contender for his commitment, could also make inroads with a strong performance. 

Oklahoma: 4-Star LB Darrin Kirkland (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 174 overall; No. 4 among inside linebackers

High School Success

Darrin Kirkland is a highly productive defender at Lawrence Central High School, providing sustained evidence of elite abilities as a run-stuffer and in intermediate pass coverage. The 6'2", 235-pound Indianapolis product picked up 110 tackles and eight sacks as a junior en route to All-State honors.

He's continued to shine this fall, averaging 15 tackles per contest. Kirkland has 105 tackles and three interceptions through seven games, per MaxPreps, earning All-American consideration. 

Recruitment Update

Despite a sustained commitment to Michigan, Kirkland continues to explore other collegiate options. He traveled to Ole Miss last weekend and now makes his way into Sooners territory for a key matchup against Baylor.

Kirkland, who pledged to the Wolverines in May, has warranted new offers with strong play this season. He's added USC and Missouri to his list since September.

Washington: Jaylinn Hawkins (Buena Park, California)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 255 overall; No. 32 among wide receivers

High School Success

Jaylinn Hawkins has to be considered one of the breakout performers of this season considering his heightened level of production. He managed to catch 64 passes for more than 900 yards and five touchdowns during the past two seasons, but things have escalated tremendously during a dominant senior campaign.

The 6'1", 180-pound Buena Park playmaker has 56 receptions for nearly 1,200 yards and 14 scores in just seven games, sending his stock soaring as a recruit. Hawkins should command consideration as an All-State selection in talent-laden California.

Recruitment Update

Hawkins has emerged as a coveted recruit in Pac-12 territory, commanding offers from the likes of Cal, Arizona and Utah since last season. Washington, a team that entered his mix relatively early, welcomes him to campus and will attempt to lure him into the fold as a foundational member of first-year head coach Chris Peterson's program.

The Huskies already hold a commitment from all-time California passing leader Jake Browning and would love to pair him with another prolific talent in the passing game. Hawkins' top options also include Oregon, where he used an official visit earlier this season.

Michigan State: 4-Star LB Ricky DeBerry (Mechanicsville, Virginia)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 71 overall; No. 7 among outside linebackers

High School Success

Atlee High School star Ricky DeBerry is a dominant edge defender who continues to blossom in several aspects of the game. He is an emerging pass-rusher, though the strongest element of his approach can be seen against rushing efforts.

DeBerry is a strong athlete who can detach from blocks and find space to exploit in open lanes. He is used in a variety of roles at the high school level, ranging from strong-side defensive end to outside linebacker.

Recruitment Update

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection announced his eight finalists earlier this season, providing a glimpse into the final stretch of a frenzied recruitment. DeBerry listed Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Penn State, Texas A&M and Virginia as the programs to beat.

Since that declaration, it seems Michigan State has managed to make a move into his hierarchy. The Spartans have a chance to show they belong in the discussion as a top contender this weekend when DeBerry comes to East Lansing.

Utah: 4-Star WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Anaheim, California)

247Sports’ Composite Ranking: No. 119 overall; No. 10 among wide receivers

High School Success

Equanimeous St. Brown serves as a main target for Oregon quarterback commit and Servite High School teammate Travis Waller. The versatile 6'5", 205-pound receiver presents significant matchup issues for opponents given his size and speed (clocked at 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash, per 247Sports). 

St. Brown exploded as a junior, hauling in 42 passes for 725 yards and six scores. He hasn't been quite as productive in 2014, settling for 24 receptions, 287 yards and three touchdowns through eight games, per MaxPreps.

Recruitment Update

Things really took off for St. Brown this spring, when offers arrived from the likes of LSU, Miami, UCLA and Texas A&M. He visited Notre Dame, Illinois and Northwestern during a short span in the summer.

An October return trip to South Bend raised eyebrows about the possibility of him becoming a member of the Fighting Irish, but things remain wide open in his recruitment. St. Brown, a widely sought-after Pac-12 prospect, will see what Utah has to offer this weekend.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.