Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 6
Another slate of games in the 2015 college football season means we're one week closer to national signing day. High school seniors who create the 2016 recruiting class will send in national letters of intent Feb. 3, finalizing collegiate intentions.
This decision-making process continues to take prospects across the country as they check out campuses under consideration. There are plenty of players to monitor again this weekend, headlined by a pair of 5-star talents that are expected to attend Florida State's matchup with rival Miami.
Here's the latest glimpse at key travel plans set to take place this upcoming weekend.
Florida State: 5-Star DE Shavar Manuel
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Class: 2016
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Size: 6'4", 290 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 8 overall
Versatile defensive lineman Shavar Manuel has flirted with Florida State since the early stages of this recruiting cycle. His latest trip to Tallahassee comes eight months after rumors swirled that he committed to the Seminoles during a junior day event. (Those reports proved false.)
Now midway through his senior campaign, this coveted prospect again heads to campus for the Seminoles' showdown with Miami. It's a hotly contested recruitment, as Manuel expressed plans to visit LSU, Auburn, Florida and Clemson later this season during a September discussion with Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.
"I want to be where I'm most comfortable on and off the field," he told Sayles. "I want to know where I can get developed for the next level, if I'm blessed to see the next level. I want to have fun, and I want to go somewhere with good academics."
Manuel collected 22 tackles—three for loss—and two sacks during his first five games this fall at IMG Academy, per MaxPreps. He recorded 20 sacks last season as a junior at Blake High School in Tampa.
Alabama: 4-Star WR Devin Duvernay
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Class: 2016
High School: Sachse (Sachse, Texas)
Size: 5'11", 195 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 wide receiver; No. 41 overall
Alabama may not claim any of the 20 experts' commitment predictions in Devin Duvernay's 247Sports Crystal Ball, but don't count head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide out just yet. The speedster will journey to Tuscaloosa this weekend for a matchup between Alabama and Arkansas, prepared to examine the program in-depth.
"I went at the end of last school year. I know a little bit about them, but I’m mainly going out there to feel the atmosphere and talk to some of the players and see how things are," he told Gerry Hamilton of ESPN.com.
Alabama is firmly in the hunt for multiple marquee 2016 receivers and can point to the recent success of true freshman Calvin Ridley as proof that early offensive opportunities could await motivated athletes. Duvernay, one of the country's top track sprinters, offers immense promise as a pass-catcher and kick returner.
He's collected 130 receptions for 2,385 yards and 27 touchdowns since the start of his sophomore season, per MaxPreps. Baylor, Oklahoma, Ohio State, TCU and LSU are other programs worth monitoring as things progress toward a possible pre-Thanksgiving decision, per Hamilton.
Tennessee: 4-Star WR Freddie Swain
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Class: 2016
High School: North Marion (Citra, Florida)
Size: 6'1", 188 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 29 wide receiver; No. 165 overall
This figures to be an extremely eventful weekend for the Sunshine State standout. Freddie Swain is expected to announce his college commitment Friday afternoon before traveling to Knoxville for an official visit with the Volunteers, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
However, Tennessee fans should be cautious about the possibility of welcoming him to campus as a new pledge. In fact, odds appear to be in favor of Swain selecting the Florida Gators on Friday, creating a potential awkward situation at the rival university less than 24 hours later.
Miami and USC are also still expected to host Swain for official visits later this season regardless of his decision, so Friday's developments won't necessarily deliver strong feelings of finality. The Gators, carrying 88 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball, would need to fight through signing day even if he jumps on board now.
Tennessee's staff should help keep things interesting this weekend and down the stretch.
“The coaches are phenomenal,” Swain told Danny Parker of Scout.com. “They’re cool, we always chill. Talk on the phone a lot. The campus is beautiful. I can see myself playing there.”
He has 22 catches for 361 yards and two touchdowns as a senior, per MaxPreps. The Volunteers may be in the picture for more uncommitted receiver talent than any team in America, with Georgia 5-star Kyle Davis, Detroit standout Donnie Corley and California playmaker Javon McKinley also showing considerable interest.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Florida State: 5-Star DE Oluwole Betiku
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Class: 2016
High School: Junipero Serra (Gardena, California)
Size: 6'3 ½", 240 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 weak-side defensive end; No. 1 overall
The remarkable journey of Oluwole Betiku was well-documented by Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani earlier this week. Less than two years since his arrival from Nigeria, he is considered a blue-chip prospect and already accepted a scholarship offer from UCLA.
Despite the Bruins commitment, interest elsewhere was expected due to the fact he was a latecomer on the national recruiting scene. Betiku will make his first official visit to Florida State, per Chris Nee of 247Sports, and Texas A&M is another contender.
The star-studded pack of prospects expected in Tallahassee probably doesn't feature a more promising player. Still extremely new to the sport, Betiku has been a superstar at Southern California powerhouse Junipero Serra High School.
He's totaled 90 tackles—39 for loss—and 19.5 sacks in just 17 varsity games, per MaxPreps.
“I feel like nothing is stopping me from being the No. 1 player,” Betiku told Kirpalani. “I’m strong, I’m fast. I’m just not versatile. Even though last year was my first year playing, I’m still hard on myself.
Michigan: 4-Star TE Jacob Mathis
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Class: 2016
High School: Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida)
Size: 6'3 ½", 223 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 tight end; No. 276 overall
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is known for featuring the tight end position in his offensive attack, so it's no surprise to see several interested. The Wolverines continue to look for a top 2016 pledge at the position after finishing runner-up in the race for 4-star Philadelphia prospect Naseir Upshur, who committed to Florida State in September.
Jacob Mathis moves into the spotlight for Michigan's coaching staff this weekend when he visits Ann Arbor for a key Big Ten Conference clash with Northwestern. Already a major receiving threat, Mathis has the physical frame to develop into a reliable collegiate run-blocker.
His 74 receptions since 2014 indicate the kind of role he could play in a passing attack. Mathis has converted those catches into 1,188 yards and 18 touchdowns during the past 15 games, per MaxPreps.
Michigan is a primary contender for No. 1 overall tight end prospect Isaac Nauta, but the potential importance of Mathis shouldn't be overlooked. Florida, Miami and Ole Miss are among other teams involved in this recruitment.
Notre Dame: 4-Star CB David Long
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Class: 2016
High School: Loyola (Los Angeles, California)
Size: 6'0", 175 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 7 cornerback; No. 68 overall
California defensive back David Long committed to in-state Stanford this summer, but he continues to explore alternative opportunities. Notre Dame welcomes him to South Bend for Saturday's game against Navy, per Tom Loy of 247Sports, and Michigan is also expected to host him in October.
Long, an Army All-American selection, maintains his Cardinal pledge is solid. Still, he's anxious to see what's in store at other universities.
"It's more of a case of going to see them because I haven't been to those places," Long told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. "I'm 100 percent firm with Stanford."
He's tallied three receiving touchdowns and an interception this season, per MaxPreps. Notre Dame aims to add him to a 2016 crop of defensive secondary prospects headlined by Florida safety Spencer Perry.
Florida State: 5-Star WR Nate Craig-Myers
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Class: 2016
High School: Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Florida)
Size: 6'2", 205 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 wide receiver; No. 23 overall
The Seminoles immediately emerged as a favorite for dynamic pass-catcher Nate Craig-Myers when he backed off his verbal commitment to Auburn in May. However, things look far less settled these days, as Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio State and Notre Dame have also become factors.
Craig-Myers appears to be trending toward the Gators in the eyes of recruiting analysts. Florida hosted him on campus last month, holds a pledge from his brother Jayvaughn Myers and claims the past 16 experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball.
This visit allows Florida State another opportunity to showcase its game-day atmosphere in Tallahassee as longtime nemesis Miami comes to town. Based on the Gators' recent progress, a successful stay seems imperative for the Seminoles at this stage.
He has 25 receptions for 356 yards and six scores through five games this season, per MaxPreps.
Oregon: 5-Star LB Caleb Kelly
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Class: 2016
High School: Clovis West (Fresno, California)
Size: 6'3", 215 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 outside linebacker; No. 18 overall
Elite West Coast defender Caleb Kelly included Oregon on his five-school official visit list in a preseason announcement. The Ducks are involved in a nationwide hunt along with Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas and Notre Dame.
Oregon has enjoyed a strong recruiting cycle defensively, claiming 4-star commitments from cornerback Jared Mayden, safety Brady Breeze and linebackers LaMar Winston and Darrian Franklin. Thanks to recent postseason success and high-profile players, the Ducks are arguably attracting more interest from top-tier prospects than ever before.
Kelly sees a fit for himself within the team's defensive scheme.
"They need linebackers and they need athletic linebackers, like me," he told Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian. "I'm versatile and can play all around the field and they won't have to switch out. They can keep their personnel in, work with them and perfect it that way."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
