Most Important Remaining 2015 College Football Recruiting Visits

The clock is ticking toward national signing day, and college programs continue to clamor for top talent. The next few weeks feature a frenzied stretch of communication between prospects and coaches.

Those interactions include key campus visits, as recruits aim to decide where their right fit can be found. Let's look ahead at key trips set to take place across the country and how they could impact team fortunes.

Florida State: 5-Star Byron Cowart

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 overall, No. 1 strong-side defensive end

High School: Armwood High School (Seffner, Florida)

Visit Date: Jan. 30

Why It's a Big Trip

Teams always aim to line up the last official visit for uncommitted prospects and Florida State accomplished that mission with Byron Cowart, a 6'4", 250-pound menace off the edge. The Seminoles already welcomed top-ranked weak-side defensive end Josh Sweat to campus as an early enrollee, so there's potential for an elite tandem in Tallahassee. 

Sweat is joined on campus this winter by fellow 5-star Seminoles newcomer Derwin James, the country's No. 1 safety prospect. Those two should spend plenty of time courting Cowart during his visit. 

“Being where I am going to be happy, that’s a big thing," he told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. "A lot of my guys are already established and committed to Florida State.”

Cowart, who racked up 140 tackles and 24 sacks as an upperclassman, is also considering Auburn and Florida.

LSU: 4-Star QB Torrance Gibson

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 74 overall, No. 5 athlete

High School: American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Visit Date: Jan. 23

Why It's a Big Trip

From an initial top-15 list to a six-stop campus tour during spring break, the recruitment of Torrance Gibson has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride. Despite his November commitment to Ohio State, it appears we still may be in for a few twists and turns on the way to signing day.

Gibson, who tallied 34 total touchdowns as a senior, is expected to visit three schools—Auburn, UCF and LSU—in January, though the only confirmed date is his trip to Baton Rouge. Given the success of three Ohio State quarterbacks, including two underclassmen, this season, it's no surprise he's still looking around. 

Gibson told me he's "100 percent committed" to the Buckeyes after a U.S. Army All-American Bowl practice, but LSU will have a chance to change his mind. The Tigers are in need of quarterback talent and boast a bevy of young offensive weapons, including freshman running back phenom Leonard Fournette and incoming 5-star wide receiver Tyron Johnson.

Texas: 5-Star DT Daylon Mack

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 17 overall, No. 4 defensive tackle

High School: Gladewater High School (Gladewater, Texas)

Visit Date: Jan. 16

Why It's a Big Trip

Charlie Strong has a golden opportunity to gain increased confidence from Longhorns fans and deal a gut-punch to Texas A&M by convincing Daylon Mack that Austin is an ideal fit. The 6'0", 330-pound lineman spent 14 months serving as a catalyst of the Aggies' 2015 class before backing off his verbal pledge in December.

He initially named TCU and LSU as his favorites after the decision, but the situation quickly changed. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has accepted the same role at Texas A&M, perhaps tipping the scales back toward College Station.

The Longhorns landed 5-star Texan linebacker Malik Jefferson last month and added 4-star defenders Anthony Wheeler and Tim Irvin during All-American festivities. Mack, who totaled 73 tackles for loss as an upperclassman and earned Under Armour All-American Game team MVP honors, would further enhance an increasingly intimidating 2015 Texas defensive haul.

Auburn: 4-Star DE Arden Key

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 103 overall; No. 5 weak-side defensive end

High School: Hapeville Charter High School (Lithonia, Georgia)

Visit Date: Jan. 30

Why It's a Big Trip

Arden Key decommitted from South Carolina for a second time this week and is ready to explore other SEC options. Although he tweeted the Gamecocks still sit atop his list, the 6'5", 230-pound prospect is set to spend time at Georgia and Auburn this month.

He wraps things up by visiting with the Tigers days before signing day, and it's a big opportunity for Gus Malzahn's squad. Auburn is in need of an elite edge-rusher in this class, and although 5-star targets Terry Beckner and Byron Cowart remain in the mix, Key may be the most viable option.

He expressed excitement about the possibility of playing for new Tigers defensive coordinator Will Muschamp during a recent conversation with Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports (subscription required).

"He talked to both me and my dad and told me about how he would use me in the defense there," Key said. "I think he is going to help out Auburn. And they're losing like eight defensive linemen, so I can come in and play right away."

Florida: 4-Star QB Deondre Francois

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 101 overall, No. 5 pro-style quarterback

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Visit Date: Jan. 23

Why It's a Big Trip

Deondre Francois, a Florida State pledge, quickly emerged as a primary target for the new Gators coaching regime, and he's reciprocated that interest. The 6'1", 195-pound passer is expected to follow up his Jan. 16 trip to Tallahassee with an official visit to The Swamp.

This shapes up as the latest installment of an ongoing recruiting battle between Florida and Florida State. Francois, who played for former Seminoles star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke at IMG Academy, threw for 4,650 yards and 47 touchdowns as a three-year starter in high school, per MaxPreps.

"Coach Weinke has taught me a lot about playing the position, but he never pushes me in any direction with recruiting," he told me last summer.

Francois flashes one of the strongest arms in this class and would fill a vital position of need in Gainesville. Former 4-star Florida quarterback commit Sheriron Jones left the class shortly after Jim McElwain's arrival and has since pledged to Tennessee.

UCLA: 4-Star DT Joseph Wicker

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 141 overall, No. 14 defensive tackle

High School: Long Beach Poly High School (Long Beach, California)

Visit Date: Jan. 23

Why It's a Big Trip

The dominant defensive lineman is down to three finalists—UCLA, Texas Tech and Arizona State—so the pressure is on Jim Mora and company to keep Joseph Wicker at home. He would serve as an exemplary complement to 5-star Bruins defensive end pledge Keisean Lucier-South, who wreaks havoc along the edge.

Wicker slid inside to the tackle position as a senior, a transition that paid immediate dividends. He led a stout Long Beach Poly defense with 138 tackles and 17.5 sacks in 12 games, per MaxPreps.

The opportunity to make an immediate impact in college ranks high on his list.

“I just have to feel comfortable knowing what I’m going to be doing, and I want to be able to have a chance to start or even get playing time,” Wicker told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports (subscription required). “I don’t want to be behind, like, five seniors. I want to be able to step up.”

Ohio State: 5-Star DE Terry Beckner

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 16 overall, No. 3 strong-side defensive end

High School: East St. Louis High School (East St. Louis, Illinois)

Visit Date: Jan. 23

Why It's a Big Trip

The Buckeyes are one of three programs set to host Terry Beckner during the final stretch of his recruitment, along with Auburn and Missouri. Ohio State has missed out on key targets along the defensive line recently (notably Josh Sweat and Neville Gallimore), so the 6'4", 293-pound prospect has become even more paramount for Urban Meyer.

Beckner, who registered 235 tackles as an upperclassman, has long been viewed a lean toward nearby Missouri. However, a November visit to Florida State and his upcoming travel schedule indicate there's plenty of room for intrigue in the remaining weeks before signing day. 

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is one of the country's best closers on the recruiting trail, and he'll play a big role during Beckner's time on campus. A win over Oregon in the national championship game would cast quite an afterglow on the program, giving the dynamic defensive end plenty to think about.

Michigan: 5-Star DB Iman Marshall

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 overall, No. 1 cornerback

High School: Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, California)

Visit Date: To be determined

Why It's a Big Trip

We don't yet know when top-ranked cornerback Iman Marshall is headed to Ann Arbor, but it seems like just a matter of logistics at this stage. The 6'1", 190-pound playmaker wasn't expected to visit Michigan, but the Jim Harbaugh hiring caught his attention.

"Coach Harbaugh going to Michigan is a game-changer," Marshall told Allen Trieu of The Detroit News. "Obviously, he knows what it takes to get to the highest level. He has changed Stanford and the 49ers around."

If Harbaugh wants to make an immediate splash with the Wolverines, a commitment from Marshall would certainly do the trick. The USA Today first-team All-American is also considering USC, LSU, Florida State, Oregon and Notre Dame, among others.

He's previously expressed interest in playing alongside Michigan freshman Jabrill Peppers, the country's top-rated 2014 defensive back.

"Playing with Peppers would be crazy," Marshall told me this season. "That would be something special."

Ole Miss: 4-Star WR Damarkus Lodge

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Ranking: No. 37 overall, No. 7 wide receiver

High School: Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, Texas)

Visit Date: Jan. 23

Why It's a Big Trip

The former Texas A&M commit spent an unofficial visit at Ole Miss during the season and enjoyed his time in Oxford enough to schedule a return trip. Damarkus Lodge, a 6'2.5", 190-pound pass target, believes he could eventually fill the shoes of star receiver Laquon Treadwell.

The top-ranked 2013 prospect is a candidate to turn pro after his junior season.

"When he leaves, they are not going to have that guy," Lodge told Amos Morale III of NOLA.com. "Our game is kind of similar. We are both big, strong receivers, and I could step in and take his spot."

He led Cedar Hill to consecutive state titles as an upperclassman, earning offensive MVP honors in both championship victories. Lodge, who caught 62 passes for 1,218 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2014, is also weighing offers from LSU, Baylor, USC and Texas.

USC: 5-Star DT Rasheem Green and 4-Star LB John Houston

Credit: 247Sports

LB John Houston

247Sports Ranking

Rasheem Green - No. 15 overall, No. 3 defensive tackle

John Houston - No. 36 overall, No. 3 outside linebacker

High School: Junipero Serra High School (Gardena, California)

Visit Date: Jan. 16

Why It's a Big Trip

We list this duo together because they've approached the recruiting trail as partners throughout much of the process. Rasheem Green and John Houston previously traveled together for official visits at Oregon and Miami. 

The Trojans have been an overwhelming favorite for both recruits. A successful official visit experience could help seal the deal as USC looks to land these elite high school teammates.

The All-American selections each released a list of favorites in December. Green is focused on USC, Oregon, Miami and Arizona State, while Houston has those four, plus Oklahoma, in the mix.

Steve Sarkisian knows how important the Trojans' pipeline to Junipero Serra has been; it has produced players like Adoree' Jackson, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee in the past. He'll look to add Green and Houston to that expansive list on signing day, as USC has a legitimate shot to challenge for the No. 1 overall spot in national recruiting rankings.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings and visit info courtesy of 247Sports.