Josh Sweat Sets Decision Date: Which Program Is Best Fit for 5-Star DE?

Coveted defensive end Josh Sweat has captivated college football programs throughout a nationwide recruitment. With a limited collection of teams still in the hunt for his commitment, the 5-star Virginia standout has set a commitment date.

Sweat is expected to announce a decision Dec. 10, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

The development puts each of his suitors on the clock for final sales pitches and sets the stage for a potential fifth and final official visit this weekend. Bartow reports the Oscar Smith High School senior could take a cross-country trip to Oregon on Saturday, though the situation remains fluid.

Along with the Ducks, four programs are viewed as finalists. Ohio State, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Florida State all hosted Sweat for official visits this season and remain in contention.

The 6'5", 240-pound prospect, rated the top weak-side defensive end and No. 6 overall player in 247Sports' composite rankings, spent nearly two months off the recruiting trail this fall following season-ending knee surgery. Sweat started his senior campaign rated the nation's No. 1 recruit.

He tallied 22 sacks and 94 total tackles, including 31 for loss, as a junior. Sweat cemented his status as an elite talent this summer at The Opening, an invite-only high school football showcase held at Nike's world headquarters.

His 40-yard dash time (4.46 seconds) and performance in positional drills against lauded offensive linemen drew comparisons to top 2014 NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney.

"You have to be perfect against Sweat," 5-star Clemson offensive tackle commit Mitch Hyatt said after competing in a one-on-one setting. "Otherwise you're done."

Now that we've reached the final stretch of a frenzied recruitment, let's examine the top options that factor into Sweat's decision.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes were the only team to host Sweat for an official visit prior to his injury. Ohio State welcomed him to campus in September, when he watched Virginia Tech secure a road upset in Columbus.

Since that point, he's been through surgery, rehabilitation and three other campus visits. Urban Meyer and his staff have managed to maintain contact throughout.

“They’ve stayed very much in touch with him," Carlette Sweat, his mother, told Bill Kurelic of 247Sports (subscription required).

Ohio State has consistently reached into the Southeast for top talent under Meyer. Key pickups include Georgia linebacker Raekwon McMillan (class of 2014), Florida defensive end Joey Bosa (2013) and Virginia offensive lineman Matthew Burrell (2015).

The thought of Sweat pairing up with Bosa, the 2014 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, should send chills down the spine of any quarterback slated to face Ohio State next season.

Meyer already holds commitments from 4-star Minnesota defensive end Jashon Cornell and star in-state linebackers Jerome Baker and Justin Hilliard. Sweat would strengthen a front seven loaded with enough talent to help push the program toward playoff contention on a perennial basis during his career.

The Buckeyes are busy preparing for a Big Ten Championship clash with Wisconsin, but the team is still expected to visit Sweat at his school Dec. 4, per Bartow.

Georgia

The Bulldogs are the only team in this mix that could rival Ohio State's defensive front if Sweat jumps on board. Head coach Mark Richt has enjoyed a highly productive in-state cycle along the defensive line, highlighted by a pledge from top-ranked tackle Trent Thompson.

Georgia also flipped former Alabama commit Jonathan Ledbetter, who joined fellow 4-star defensive ends Chauncey Rivers, Michael Barnett and Natrez Patrick in the class. An abundance of talent hasn't deterred the team from fervently pursuing Sweat.

Though Mark Richt would never admit it, he would likely be willing to replace any of his four top defensive end pledges with Sweat. If the Virginia star does indeed declare his intentions to play at Georgia, you can expect current commits to consider other options, though Barnett and Ledbetter have the ability to slide into interior roles.

Sweat spent time at Georgia this spring and returned for an official visit in November, his first campus trip after the injury-induced travel lull.

“I think that visit helped Georgia, it was a good visit," Sweat told Rusty Mansell of 247Sports. "I left with a good thought about the school. I was [sic] disappointed at all.”

The team followed up with an in-school visit Dec. 1, per Bartow.

Florida State

A 28-game win streak and status as defending national champion give the Seminoles an edge over any team in America right now when it comes to selling a prospect on program success. Jimbo Fisher can also point to the fact that among Sweat's finalists, nobody has produced more NFL defensive draft picks since 2012 than Florida State (13).

That total includes a pair of defensive ends—Bjoern Werner and Tank Carradine—who were selected during the first two rounds in 2013. A dynamic edge-rusher like Sweat could develop quickly in an attack set to add 5-star defensive backs Tarvarus McFadden and Derwin James next year.

Florida State junior defensive end Mario Edwards was widely considered the No. 1 overall 2012 prospect and could lend some perspective on how to handle that pressure when Sweat arrives. If he bolts for the NFL after this season, the Seminoles will have an immediate need for a high-rep difference-maker along the edge.

Florida State welcomed Sweat to Tallahassee in late November. It was his second time on campus since July.

"

#FloridaState coach Jimbo Fisher talking with the nations No. 1 recruit Josh Sweat. CNee247 https://t.co/warf0WjHfU

— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) July 17, 2014"

The Seminoles' 2015 class currently rates second nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings, largely bolstered by incoming players at skill positions. An elite lineman like Sweat would take this haul to another level and help open the door for future championship chases at Florida State.

Oregon

The Ducks have always faced an uphill battle in this race due to regional proximity. Oregon is an outlier among a final group that otherwise doesn't extend west of Ohio.

It's always seemed imperative for the program to get Sweat on campus, where world-renowned training facilities have won over prospects in the past. Oregon, primed to claim a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff, could be ready to make serious strides in recruiting, and it starts with national targets.

The program has shown it's more than a West Coast powerhouse during recent cycles, landing crucial commitments like Georgia running back Taj Griffin, Florida running back Tony James and Louisiana defensive back Mattrell McGraw from fertile SEC recruiting territory.

A strong push toward signing day could create a significant rise of young stars in Eugene, especially on defense. The Ducks remain contenders for Sweat, along with fellow 5-star defensive linemen Terry Beckner (Illinois) and Rasheem Green (California).

A commitment from Sweat would require considerable conviction and courage in his ability to flourish far from home for a team that's built its reputation as an offensive juggernaut. It could also help further develop Oregon as a "destination" landing spot for athletes from every corner of the country, encouraging other top 2015 talents to follow his lead.

However, if he fails to get on a plane bound for the Northwest this weekend, it's a scenario that's practically impossible to imagine.

Credit: 247Sports

Virginia Tech

Despite facing a stacked list of more successful finalists, the Hokies hope Sweat opts for the role of hometown hero. He's the crown jewel of in-state recruiting and one of the most pivotal prospect targets of Frank Beamer's tenure.

Virginia Tech is just 21-17 since 2012, carrying a .500 record in conference play during that span. Fans have grown restless during a run of mediocrity that makes you wonder if the "Beamer Ball" era is slumping toward an end.

Sweat is the kind of recruit who can rejuvenate faith among Hokies followers and give local recruiting efforts a jolt.

Last signing day, the team was beaten out by Virginia for top in-state defenders Quin Blanding and Andrew Brown. Virginia Tech landed just two of the state's top 10 recruits in February and is currently being shut out in that regard approximately two months shy of national signing day 2015.

If Sweat buys into what Beamer is selling, it could be enough to convince fellow in-state standouts like linebacker Ricky DeBerry and defensive tackle Tim Settle to take a harder look at the Hokies, who are at risk of landing outside top-25 recruiting rankings for a third straight cycle.

Sweat was joined by seven family members during his official visit to Virginia Tech during Thanksgiving weekend, per Bartow (subscription required). The Hokies reciprocated with an in-school visit Dec. 2.

The Verdict

There's a growing sense that this pursuit comes down to a pair of ACC programs. Florida State and Virginia Tech are viewed as Sweat's strongest suitors, with 247Sports' Crystal Ball projection giving a slight advantage to the Hokies.

While his family may prefer a shorter trip to watch him play, the star defender's best fit is found in Tallahassee. The Seminoles can supply him with an elite supporting cast, and the presence of proven championship-caliber veterans in the locker room takes some of the pressure off Sweat to immediately perform like an All-American, an expectation that would weigh heavily in Blacksburg.

Instead of serving as the cornerstone of a class, he would join a group of future Seminoles that already features multiple 5-star recruits and a catalyst in longtime commit Derwin James. It's a tough pill to swallow for the Hokies, but Sweat's next appearance in Lane Stadium should take place on the visitor sidelines.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.