Biggest Recruiting Visits Set for Spring Football Games
Spring football games annually serve several purposes on college campuses across the country. They present an opportunity for coaches to further evaluate their depth chart, rally fanbases five months before regular-season action and showcase programs for visiting prospects.
These games often occur during high school spring breaks, setting the stage for recruits from within the region and beyond to attend. Several recruiting visits are slated to take place at spring games this month, and we took a look at priority players to keep an eye on.
Alabama: 5-Star LB Ben Davis
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 23 overall; No. 4 outside linebacker
High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)
Recruitment Update
Ben Davis is approaching 30 scholarship offers, and it's no surprise considering his elite skill set. The 6'4", 230-pound defender is the son of Wayne Davis, who remains Alabama's all-time tackles leader.
His recruitment has continued to expand this spring, with offers arriving from Michigan, Iowa, Florida State and Notre Dame. Davis spent time in Tallahassee on April 11, traveling to campus for spring game action.
"As soon as I got down to Tallahassee, I felt comfortable," he told Bleacher Report. "I loved every minute of it. I could really see myself playing down there. I'll probably go back to Florida State a few more times and work on establishing a better relationship with their coaches."
Why It's a Big Visit
While some view Alabama as an obvious landing spot for Davis due to his family ties, he's made it clear that other teams are gaining steam in this recruitment.
"Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Kirby) Smart see me as another Dont'aHightower," he said. "I have a strong relationship with Alabama because of my dad and growing up pretty close to campus, but there's a long way to go in this process, and it's about finding where I feel most comfortable."
This is the latest opportunity for Alabama to make strides toward sealing the deal.
Auburn: 3-Star DB Spencer Perry
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 436 overall; No. 25 safety
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Recruitment Update
Spencer Perry pledged to Florida in mid-February but continues to explore other options. Auburn was among several teams to extend an offer during the final stretch of winter.
Interest continues to amount for the IMG newcomer. He secured an Ohio State offer earlier this month.
Expect his recruiting ratings to improve with further evaluation.
"Pretty much every coach tells me that my size and athleticism make me different than a lot of other top safeties," Perry told Bleacher Report. "They say I'm 6’3”, 200 pounds but move like I’m 5’11”, 160 pounds when I react to the ball. I understand how to use my body when I hit people. Some players go too low or too high on tackles. I fire through full force with my head forward."
Why It's a Big Visit
Auburn is the most likely program to flip Perry from Florida. The Tigers were actually considered a favorite for his commitment prior to last month's announcement.
Perry could be further tempted by a positive experience at Auburn on April 18. He thinks very highly of new Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
"I truly believe Muschamp is one of the few defensive masterminds in college football," he said. "He's a genius on that side of the ball and understands how to put his players in position to dominate. It's the kind of defense you want to be a part of in the next few years."
Georgia: 5-Star DT Derrick Brown
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 overall; No. 2 defensive tackle
High School: Lanier (Buford, Georgia)
Recruitment Update
Derrick Brown spent the first week of April exploring SEC territory with visits to Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The 6'4", 305-pound prospect pointed out Georgia as his favorite in February, with Alabama and Auburn following behind.
Tennessee is another contender to keep tabs on, as this pursuit appears destined to end with an SEC commitment. He dominated as a junior, racking up 101 tackles and 17.5 sacks, per Scout.com.
Why It's a Big Visit
The Peach State is always packed with elite talent, and Brown may be the best of the bunch in this class. There's a thought that Georgia is in position to sign the majority of premier in-state prospects, and the dominant defensive lineman is a pivotal part of that process.
"It would be cool because we'd be a pretty dominant team," he told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani about the prospect of joining forces with fellow 5-star Georgia defender Julian Rochester.
The Bulldogs are an overwhelming favorite to land Brown. Mark Richt is aiming to get the job done sooner rather than later.
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Florida State: 5-Star DE Shavar Manuel
4 of 11247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 overall; No. 1 strong-side defensive end
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Recruitment Update
Speculation swirled that Shavar Manuel committed to Florida State in February during a junior-day visit, but he dispelled those reports within hours. That news came as a relief to the dozens of other college programs involved in his recruitment.
Potential contenders who could challenge heavy favorite Florida State include Alabama, Miami and LSU. Manuel compiled 61 tackles and 20 sacks in 2014, per the Tampa Bay Times.
Why It's a Big Visit
Can the Seminoles seal the deal during spring-game festivities? That's certainly the goal for this coaching staff, as Manuel could serve as a catalyst for future high-profile Florida State commitments, particularly on defense.
Jimbo Fisher has already assembled the 2016 cycle's top-ranked recruiting class, and a commitment from Manuel would further reinforce the strong start.
Rutgers: 4-Star QB Dwayne Haskins
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 64 overall; No. 5 pro-style quarterback
High School: The Bullis School (Potomac, Maryland)
Recruitment Update
Dwayne Haskins is a hot commodity in a 2016 quarterback market that's quickly drying up. He is the top-rated uncommitted prospect at the position and holds nearly 40 offers.
The 6'3", 200-pound passer will visit several schools this spring. His stops include Duke, Maryland, Rutgers, Florida and Notre Dame.
Earlier this year, Haskins shared plans to commit during the spring. This process could extend far beyond that time frame, though, with Texas, Alabama and LSU among other suitors.
Why It's a Big Visit
Haskins grew up minutes away from campus, becoming close friends with former Scarlet Knights star and current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. He's spent significant time at the school and sits atop Rutgers' quarterback recruiting board, along with fellow 4-star talent Jarrett Guarantano.
Guarantano is set to announce his commitment April 15, so head coach Kyle Flood will have a firmer understanding of where Rutgers stands at the position by the time Haskins arrives for the April 24 spring game.
Florida: 4-Star WR Sam Bruce
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 40 overall; No. 4 wide receiver
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Recruitment Update
Sam Bruce announced an early commitment to Miami last July and remains an integral part of the Hurricanes' immensely successful start on the 2016 recruiting trail. His offer sheet features nearly 30 universities, including fellow in-state suitors Florida State and Florida.
He averaged 21 yards per reception as a junior, collecting seven touchdown receptions. The 5'8", 160-pound prospect is a relentless route-runner and exhibits elite-level quickness.
Why It's a Big Visit
First-year Florida head coach Jim McElwain has caught fire during recent months, racking up eight 2016 commitments. That pledge total is more than any other new FBS hire has compiled to this point.
Bruce is the kind of offensive weapon that McElwain must land to develop an improved attack. A player of his caliber could also help attract a stud quarterback prospect, which is a position of significant need in this Gators class.
Florida State: 5-Star LB Lyndell Wilson
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 8 overall; No. 2 outside linebacker
High School: Carver (Montgomery, Alabama)
Recruitment Update
Lyndell Wilson has landed offers from Ohio State, Florida State and LSU since February, adding a few more compelling contenders to a stacked offer list. The 6'2", 220-pound defender visited Alabama earlier this month, and the Crimson Tide appear to be a top option, along with Auburn.
He secured scholarship offers from South Carolina, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Georgia as a sophomore. Wilson recorded 71 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions during his breakout 2013 campaign.
Why It's a Big Visit
Wilson is one of three 5-star Alabama defenders who are expected to be in Tallahassee on April 11. He's the highest-rated player in the bunch, and Florida State aims to make a strong first impression.
The Seminoles extended an offer in late February and will look to line up a return visit with the versatile prospect later this year.
Georgia: 5-Star DT Julian Rochester
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 23 overall; No. 6 defensive tackle
High School: McEachern (Powder Springs, Georgia)
Recruitment Update
Julian Rochester is among the most coveted Southeast linemen, as Auburn, LSU Georgia, Clemson and Florida State have gained steam as top suitors. His most recent college visit took place in Athens, as he spent time with the in-state Bulldogs.
The 6'5 ½", 315-pound prospect recorded 88 tackles and 11 sacks last season, per Wesley Sinor of AL.com. He named Auburn his favorite potential landing spot in February.
Why It's a Big Visit
Rochester ranked Georgia fifth among top collegiate contenders earlier this year when he named the Tigers as his favorite. This is an opportunity for the Bulldogs to surge up that list as he assesses things moving forward.
Georgia signed several top-tier 2015 pass-rushers and will welcome fellow 5-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown to campus for its spring game. The Bulldogs would love to land the duo, who would instantly become part of an outstanding foundation for the 2016 recruiting class.
Florida State: 5-Star LB Ben Davis
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 22 overall; No. 4 outside linebacker
High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)
Recruitment Update
Ben Davis unveiled a top-seven list in late February that featured Florida, Alabama, LSU, USC, Ole Miss, Auburn and Georgia. Notre Dame and Michigan entered the equation last month.
He is the son of all-time Crimson Tide tackles leader Wayne Davis. Despite his strong ties to Nick Saban's squad, his interests lie beyond just Tuscaloosa.
"My dad will support whatever decision I make 110 percent," Davis told Bleacher Report. "He hasn't really pushed me toward one school or another. He just wants to make sure I'm comfortable with the situation wherever I go."
Why It's a Big Visit
It's his first trip to Tallahassee and an opportunity for Jimbo Fisher to put his program in the mix. Davis will be surrounded by a star-studded group of guests, including several high-profile Florida State commits who can make an impact by selling him on the Seminoles.
Ohio State: 5-Star ATH Bruce Judson
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 17 overall; No. 3 athlete (2017 class)
High School: Cocoa (Cocoa, Florida)
Recruitment Update
Bruce Judson is a key member of Ohio State's top-rated 2017 recruiting class. The 5'8 ½", 186-pound playmaker received scholarship offers from Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio State before his sophomore season.
He committed to Ohio State in January, but new in-state contenders have emerged since that announcement. Judson traveled to Miami and Florida for campus visits in recent months.
Judson burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2013, throwing for 1,047 yards and gaining another 1,202 yards on the ground, per MaxPreps. He tallied 30 offensive touchdowns in 13 games.
Why It's a Big Visit
Urban Meyer holds three 5-star pledges in his 2017 class, and Judson may prove the most difficult of those to keep. He is coveted by three Sunshine State powerhouses who have a distinct advantage in proximity.
It's much easier for the Seminoles and Gators to get him on campus, so any trip he takes to Columbus must be maximized. Expect Buckeyes coaches—and fans—to show Judson plenty of love during his time at Ohio State.
Florida State: 5-Star DE Marlon Davidson
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247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 27 overall; No. 3 strong-side defensive end
High School: Carver (Montgomery, Alabama)
Recruitment Update
Marlon Davidson seems to be another top prospect caught at the center of a tug-of-war between Auburn and Alabama. Miami, Arizona State, TCU, Florida State and Michigan are among teams that have extended offers since his junior season.
The 6'4", 260-pound defender wreaked havoc in 2014. He tallied 69 tackles—16 for loss—and nine sacks as a junior, per Ethan Bernal of the Montgomery Advertiser.
Why It's a Big Visit
Davidson will make the trip with former Carver High School teammate and fellow 5-star defender Lyndell Wilson. There are strong sentiments that the coveted tandem could be a "package deal" next national signing day.
His older brother won a national championship at Auburn, and the Tigers are believed to be Alabama's strongest competition for Davidson's commitment. It may be far-fetched to imagine him and Wilson winding up as Seminoles, but luring them to Tallahassee for the spring game is a nice start.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
