6 Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 12

The inaugural College Football Playoff race currently commands national attention, but ardent fans know never to take their eyes off the recruiting trail at this time of year. Less than three months shy of national signing day, classes are beginning to take shape and coaching staffs are focused on applying the final touches.

Several teams have key opportunities to make strides in that department this weekend when they host coveted targets on campus. Here's our weekly look at key prospect visits to keep tabs on in the coming days, as programs continue their pursuit of top talents.

Georgia: 5-Star DE Josh Sweat (Chesapeake, Virginia)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 1 overall, No. 1 among weak-side defensive ends

High School Success

Josh Sweat dominated as a junior while playing alongside Oscar Smith High School teammate Andrew Brown, a 5-star defensive tackle who signed with Virginia last February. The 6'5", 250-pound prospect compiled 94 tackles and 22 sacks in 2013, emerging as one of the most coveted pass-rushers in America.

He flashed his skills at various camps during the summer circuit, including The Opening, where Sweat completed the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and placed second in Nike's national SPARQ final. 

"You have to be perfect against Sweat," 5-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt told me after competing against him in one-on-one action. "Otherwise, you're done."

His senior season came to an abrupt ending in September when he suffered a severe knee injury. Sweat underwent surgery shortly afterward and won't be seen in a football uniform until the start of his collegiate career.

Recruitment Status

Season-ending surgery briefly put a hold on his official visit schedule, but things get back on track this weekend with a trip to Athens. Sweat previously spent time at Ohio State this season, and his recruiting outlook should become interesting as November proceeds.

Sweat has also scheduled visits to Virginia Tech and Florida State. He previously listed Oregon as a potential destination, but the Ducks are no longer expected to host him.

Miami: 4-Star LB John Houston (Gardena, California)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 36 overall, No. 3 among outside linebackers

High School Success

John Houston headlines a talent-laden defensive attack at Junipero Serra. A unit once led by USC freshman cornerback Adoree' Jackson now runs through the menacing 6'3", 211-pound playmaker. 

He has been a mainstay for the perennial Los Angeles area title contender throughout his career. Houston recorded 266 total tackles during his sophomore and junior seasons, adding two sacks in the process.

His efforts have reached a new level this fall. Houston is swarming to the football unlike ever before, racking up 131 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions through 10 games, per MaxPreps. 

Recruitment Status

Houston is a heavily recruited prospect in Pac-12 territory, but he'll head east this weekend. He spent time at Oregon last month and is set to use official visits at Arizona State, Oklahoma and USC in coming weeks.

Just like his trip to Oregon, Houston takes this visit in tandem with high school teammate and 5-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green. The talented duo could ultimately join forces at the next level.

Texas Tech: 4-Star OL Fred Ulu-Perry (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Credit; 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 158 overall, No. 3 among offensive centers

High School Success

Fred Ulu-Perry picked up an invitation to The Opening after his stellar junior campaign. He anchors the front line for Hawaiian powerhouse St. Louis High School.

The 6'2", 300-pound lineman is a powerful run-blocker who continues to make strides as a pass-protector. Ulu-Perry projects as a college player who can vie for a role on the two-deep as an underclassman.

He does the dirty work for a St. Louis offensive attack that has scored at least 46 points in each of the past five contests.  

Recruitment Status

Ulu-Perry pledged to UCLA in July and took an official visit to Los Angeles last month. Still, he continues to explore other options. 

His itinerary includes a planned official visit to Oklahoma State later this month. Ulu-Perry was lured to Lubbock, Texas, in part because of a sales pitch from fellow Hawaiian and 4-star Red Raiders commit Breiden Fehoko, according to Daniel Pauling of 247Sports (subscription required).

Alabama: 3-Star WR Lawrence Cager (Towson, Maryland)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 389 overall, No. 48 among wide receivers

High School Success

The vastly underrated Calvert Hall playmaker is a late-rising recruit in the 2015 cycle who continues to garner an impressive list of late offers. He stands 6'5", 202 pounds, presenting a tremendous blend of size and quickness.

Lawrence Cager is a long-striding receiver who is capable of plucking the ball away from defensive backs at tough angles. He snagged 50 passes for 580 yards and seven scores as a junior, per Drew Champlin of AL.com.

Recruitment Status

The multi-sport standout secured an offer from Alabama in July, weeks after an impressive performance at The Opening. He added Ole Miss, Nebraska, South Carolina and Miami to his list in recent weeks.

His upcoming official visits include Ohio State and Notre Dame. Cager previously spent time in Tuscaloosa this summer for a camp.

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

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 15 overall, No. 3 among defensive tackles

High School Success

Rasheem Green is the lynchpin up front for a feared Junipero Serra High School defense. The 6'5", 275-pound lineman is enjoying a career-best campaign for the 8-2 squad, securing 56 tackles and eight sacks through 10 games, per MaxPreps.

His efforts include a team-high 23 tackles for loss. He tallied 78 total tackles and 15.5 sacks during the past two seasons, earning an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Recruitment Status

Green joins Cavaliers teammate John Houston for a journey to Miami. The duo traveled to Oregon last month and may be a "package deal" on signing day.

The Hurricanes reached out to California last year for quarterback Brad Kaaya, who has developed into one of the nation's premier freshman performers this fall. Green is greatly anticipating the matchup between Miami and Florida State.

"I'm excited for this game," Green told Kynon Codrington of Bleacher Report. "I'm going to be looking at everything. I want to see how the defense plays. I really want to see how Coach (Jethro) Franklin is during the game with the defensive line. I've always liked Miami in general, and I like Coach Franklin a lot."

Texas A&M: 5-Star LB Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas)

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 13 overall, No. 1 among outside linebackers

High School Success

Malik Jefferson is among the most coveted Texas defenders of this decade. He is a monstrous edge-rusher who is capable of clogging up rushing lanes and covering intermediate passes with elite range.

Jefferson turned heads at The Opening by running a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at 6'2.5", 215 pounds. His breakout junior campaign included 83 tackles, three forced fumbles and 12 sacks, per MaxPreps.

Recruitment Status

He is widely viewed as a Lone Star State lean who is likely to land at Texas or Texas A&M. The Longhorns and Aggies have battled back and forth throughout the process, although other teams are in play.

Ohio State, Alabama and LSU are among the programs beyond state borders who remain in the mix. Baylor should be considered a distant third when it comes to potential landing spots in Texas.

Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports. The Opening numbers collected firsthand.