Top Rivalry Battles on 2015 College Football Recruiting Trail

College football rivalries contain so much more than what we see take place on the field for 60 minutes. They linger long after the final horn, ramping up on the recruiting trail as years progress.

Whether rivalries are forged through regional proximity or through conference competition, the battle to add more talent than your foe is ongoing. This final stretch of the 2015 recruiting cycle features several compelling program showdowns to monitor, pitting teams against each other for top prospects across the country.

Here's a look at player pursuits that have come down to the wire between rivals.

Auburn vs. Florida: 5-Star OT Martez Ivey

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive tackle; No. 2 overall

High School: Apopka High School (Apopka, Florida)

The Rivalry: SEC 

The Battle

These two teams have remained Martez Ivey's "1A" and "1B" options for a while, and he seemed content to count out other programs this summer while discussing his recruitment at The Opening, an elite football showcase held at Nike's world headquarters. Despite a rough season and an eventual coaching switch in Gainesville, the situation is unchanged six months later.

Ivey spent official visits at both universities during the season and was expected to announce his commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he earned national Player of the Year honors. Those plans were scrapped at the last minute, leaving us to wonder where the country's top offensive lineman is headed.

Former Gators coach Will Muschamp was hired as defensive coordinator at Auburn, creating increased rapport with the Tigers. High school teammate and friend Chandler Cox committed to Auburn last spring, and they traveled to campus together in July.

Florida has always been the in-state favorite for the 6'5.5", 275-pound prospect, and new coach Jim McElwain has done his best to build a relationship in limited time.

"Man, great impression of [McElwain]," Ivey told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. "I sat down with him. Had dinner with him...in-home visit, so it was pretty good, and I'm real pleased by him."

Texas A&M vs. TCU: 5-Star DT Daylon Mack

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 13 overall

High School: Gladewater High School (Gladewater, Texas)

The Rivalry: Regional

The Battle

Daylon Mack initially pledged to Texas A&M as a junior and maintained that commitment for 14 months. However, he backed off his verbal pledge in December, declaring LSU and TCU as the new favorites.

The Horned Frogs hosted him on campus for an official visit in October and clearly caught his attention. TCU stayed in the mix for 5-star defensive end Myles Garrett last year but ultimately lost out to Texas A&M, where he set the SEC freshman record for sacks.

Gary Patterson hopes history doesn't repeat itself, looking to build on the momentum of a sensational 2014 season. TCU currently holds just two commitments who rate higher than 3-star status.

Texas A&M re-entered the picture when LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis bolted for College Station. The move effectively swapped the Aggies in for LSU among Mack's top contenders.

Mack, who tallied 179 tackles and 11 sacks as an underclassman, will use an official visit at Texas A&M this weekend. Kevin Sumlin could bring the big man back on board with a positive experience.

Georgia vs. LSU: 4-Star CB Donte Jackson

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 6 athlete; No. 82 overall

High School: Riverdale High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)

The Rivalry: SEC

The Battle

Donte Jackson has been a rapid late-riser in the recruiting rankings, but both the Bulldogs and Tigers have been enamored with his skill set for some time. The 5'11", 165-pound speedster is down to Georgia, LSU and USC, with a decision looming large on Jan. 21.

He grew up an LSU fan and could become the latest New Orleans standout to land in Baton Rouge. Jackson described his close relationship with the Tigers earlier this month during a conversation with Wescott Eberts of SBNation.

"I feel like it's a family up there every time I go, and they always tell me how much they need me, how much they need playmakers," he said.

Jackson projects as a cornerback and possible two-way player in college. Georgia has a need in the defensive secondary and welcomes him to campus this weekend for one final crack at portraying Athens as the place to be.

"I know it's going to be a good visit because I love the people at Georgia," Jackson told Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com.

Oklahoma State vs. Texas: 4-Star RB Chris Warren

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 9 running back; No. 77 overall

High School: Rockwall High School; Rockwall, Texas

The Rivalry: Big 12

The Battle

Chris Warren is focused on four finalists—Texas, Oklahoma State, Washington and Texas Tech—but these conference foes could rise to the forefront when it's time to announce a decision. He traveled to Austin in December and will be on campus at Oklahoma State this weekend.

Though he initially established ties with the former Longhorns regime, Charlie Strong and company have made him feel like a top target since they took over at Texas.

"I know the staff very well," Warren told Bleacher Report last month. "My aim is to see what Coach Strong is doing differently than Coach (Mack) Brown did. I've kept a close eye on the team. In another year, it could jump up to a new level."

He's also developed a personal connection to the Cowboys, who are targeting Rockwall teammate Xavier Castille. The duo will spend time in Stillwater together.

"It’s been a relationship thing with Oklahoma State as I've grown close with (running backs coach Jemal) Singleton," Warren said. "I feel like we have a strong bond and, if things go well, it would be tough for defensive coordinators to deal with that attack."

He rushed for 2,329 yards and 34 scores as a senior.

USC vs. Oregon: 5-Star CB Iman Marshall

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 1 cornerback; No. 5 overall

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

The Rivalry: Pac-12

The Battle

The recruitment of Iman Marshall is essentially wide open less than three weeks shy of national signing day. He's set to visit four schools (Florida State, Michigan, LSU and Oregon) in a 14-day span, capped off by a Jan. 30 date with the Ducks.

Marshall is clearly interested in options across the nation. However, this pursuit comes down to Oregon and USC if he remains on the West Coast.

The defending Pac-12 champion Ducks are looking to claim the program's most pivotal defensive pickup in history, adding to a class that already features key additions on that side of the ball (Hawaiian defensive end Canton Kaumatule and former LSU cornerback commit Ugo Amadi).

USC is aiming for a second straight strong finish toward national signing day, and Marshall is a monumental part of that effort. The Trojans have long been viewed as a strong favorite for the local product, emerging as the clear front-runner in California despite continued interest from UCLA and Stanford.

Florida vs. Florida State: 4-Star QB Deondre Francois

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 6 pro-style quarterback; No. 105 overall

High School: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florda

The Rivalry: Regional

The Battle

This classic intrastate rivalry has seen its fair share of dramatic recruiting showdowns in the past. Deondre Francois may ultimately add to the list.

The 6'1", 195-pound prospect is one of three passers currently committed to the Seminoles, though he is considered the group's top passer. Francois pledged to Florida State in July, following in the footsteps of high school coach and former Seminoles Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.

However, a coaching change at Florida led to the decommitment of former Gators pledge Sheriron Jones. That departure led Jim McElwain to push hard for a potential flip from Francois.

He reciprocated interest by lining up an official visit to Gainesville. Florida State fans should still feel confident about his impending arrival, but things are undoubtedly up in the air during this final stretch.

"I'm just taking an official to see if anything has changed, to see if it's a different atmosphere now that (McElwain)'s there," Francois told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. "Just to make sure I made the right decision."

Recruit ratings and info courtesy of 247Sports.