LSU-Alabama Showdown Features a Who's Who of Visiting Blue-Chip Recruits
The latest installment of a thrilling rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers is set to feature an abundance of talent on and off the field.
This Saturday night showdown in Tuscaloosa carries significant College Football Playoff implications, as both the Crimson Tide and LSU claim a coveted top-four spot in initial postseason rankings. Recruits will be watching closely, with many blue-chip prospects expected to attend.
Aside from The Opening and annual All-American games, you'll be hard-pressed to find this volume of high school talent in one spot at any stage of this recruiting cycle. The amount of 5-star athletes is anticipated to reach double digits, according to Hank South of 247Sports, featuring several of the most prized prospects from various classes.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Lineman Greg Little, the No. 1 overall 2016 offensive prospect, will spend this weekend on campus for an official visit. It's likely to be his final trip before a commitment, according to Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.
The 6'5 ½", 305-pound Allen High School (Texas) senior was supposed to announce college plans earlier this week, but he ultimately extended that time line.
"[The visit] originally was set up for the 31st [of October], but they have a bye that week. I wanted to be there for a game," Little told Sayles.
Little, who could give the Crimson Tide a pair of 5-star offensive tackles if he joins Alabama pledge Jonah Williams, may potentially become the heir apparent to star sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson.
Isaac Nauta is another official visitor who is considered the top overall 2016 player at his position. The 5-star IMG Academy (Florida) tight end intended to visit USC this weekend but altered his itinerary when the Trojans underwent a coaching change.
With visits to Michigan, Georgia and Ole Miss during the past five weeks, Nauta continues to inch closer toward a Jan. 9 commitment at the Army All-American Bowl. His fifth and final official visit will take him to the TCU Horned Frogs on Thanksgiving weekend.
“With Alabama, I’ve never been there for a game,” Nauta told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani last week. “I just want to see the game-day atmosphere there. I want to see if it’s a place I could live for four years."
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban could host as many as five 5-star linebackers, according to South, headlined by top overall 2017 recruit Dylan Moses. The 6'2", 220-pound Baton Rouge, Louisiana, standout committed to LSU as a freshman but backed off that verbal commitment in August.
Moses, who totaled more than 300 tackles as an underclassman, is among the most highly publicized college football prospects ever. Alabama, Texas, Georgia and Florida State are notable programs attempting to ensure he doesn't end up back in the Tigers class.
Despite being just a junior, USA Today identified Moses as a national Defensive Player of the Year candidate last month. That list of candidates also included linebackers Ben Davis and Mique Juarez, who are both potential Saturday visitors.
Juarez, a California product rated second nationally among outside linebackers, decommitted from USC in October. Davis, the nation's No. 1 inside linebacker and son of all-time Alabama tackles leader Wayne Davis, is widely considered a Crimson Tide lock despite a Top 5 that also features Florida State, Georgia, Auburn and LSU.
He will visit Baton Rouge next weekend for an official visit and continues to stress he isn't simply going to follow his father's footsteps without exploring alternative options.
"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."
Other premier defensive prospects to look for in Tuscaloosa this weekend include Louisiana tackle Rashard Lawrence, Georgia safety Nigel Warrior, Mississippi cornerback Nigel Knott and top-rated 2017 in-state linebacker Markail Benton.
Expect plenty of top offensive playmakers, too, as that list is led by Nauta, Little and former Crimson Tide commit Demetris Robertson. Top-ranked 2016 "athlete" Mecole Hardman, who could excel at wide receiver or cornerback, will also reportedly attend.
Louisiana wide receiver Mykel Jones, a 4-star talent who played high school football with Alabama freshman receiver Daylon Charlot, may ultimately decide between the Crimson Tide and LSU. He'll be on campus Saturday along with 4-star Florida pass-catcher Cavin Ridley, the younger brother of promising Crimson Tide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Louisiana running back Devin White, a 258-pound battering ram with sub-4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash, has reportedly planned a trip to Tuscaloosa. The same can be said about Ahmmon Richards, a 4-star wide receiver who decommitted from the Miami Hurricanes in October and has 37 touchdown receptions since last season, per MaxPreps.
It's important to note that these visitors lists aren't always complete or guaranteed, as recruits and their families routinely change travel plans for a variety of reasons. However, if even just a large percentage of projected visitors do show up for the action, this will truly be one of the mega-recruiting events of 2015.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
