Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 11
Another crucial weekend of the 2015 college football schedule again includes several notable recruiting visits. Notre Dame, LSU and Michigan State are among programs expected to host prized prospects on campus for game action.
National signing day is suddenly less than three months away, raising the stakes for coaching staffs still seeking to solidify areas of need. Here's our latest peek at players ready to enjoy an up-close look at potential collegiate landing spots.
LSU: 5-Star LB Ben Davis
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Class: 2016
High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)
Size: 6'3", 240 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 inside linebacker; No. 17 overall
Ben Davis takes the second official visit of a recruiting process likely to last until signing day. He traveled to Georgia last month and now journeys to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for LSU's game against Arkansas.
Despite his status as a celebrated Alabama legacy—father Wayne Davis remains the Crimson Tide's all-time tackles leader—an eventual college career in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, remains far from a lock. LSU enters this weekend as a contender to watch and could make further strides with Davis during his stay.
"I really like Baton Rouge. I went down there one time and fell in love with it," Davis told Bleacher Report last month. "LSU would probably be one of my top three choices if I had to decide today."
Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele previously pursued him as a member of Alabama's coaching staff so established familiarity is already in place. Davis also expects to attend the Iron Bowl, as he is also seriously considering offers from Auburn and the Crimson Tide.
Baylor: 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. 39 overall
The Baylor Bears boast America's highest-scoring offensive attack and feature a true freshman quarterback with substantial promise. Continued success from 2015 Elite 11 finalist Jarrett Stidham would undoubtedly increase interest among young wide receivers, and few are as paramount to program recruiting efforts as Devin Duvernay.
The in-state standout displays world-class speed as a track star and incorporates that element in his football approach. He is averaging 21.3 yards per reception this season, according to MaxPreps, hauling in 50 passes for 1,064 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Baylor is favored to land Duvernay in his 247Sports Crystal Ball, while Oklahoma, Ohio State and Alabama are among programs attempting to pry him away from the Lone Star State. His twin brother, Donovan Duvernay, pledged to the Bears in September.
Baylor head coach Art Briles would be thrilled to pair Duvernay with fellow 4-star wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson, who flipped his commitment from Texas this week. Dickson set a national high school record with 39 touchdown catches in 2014.
Michigan State: 4-Star LB Daelin Hayes
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Class: 2016
High School: Skyline (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Size: 6'4", 235 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 outside linebacker; No. 113 overall
Michigan State attempts to bounce back from its first loss of the season Saturday when it hosts both Maryland and elite in-state target Daelin Hayes. Rated the No. 1 overall defensive recruit in Michigan, Hayes decommitted from USC last month and now has sights set on three teams.
The Spartans are on a short list of favorites that also features Notre Dame and Ohio State. Those universities already hosted him for official visits, so this is a meaningful opportunity for Michigan State to make its mark.
Hayes announced Thursday he's cancelled scheduled official visits to Oregon and LSU, so it appears this is a three-team race to the wire. Michigan State has plenty to live up to following a very positive trip to Columbus.
"It was my first time being at Ohio State," Hayes told Jeremy Birmingham of ElevenWarriors.com. "I've never seen the stadium, I've never seen the school, I'd never spoken to (Urban) Meyer in person. I had a great time and the visit lived up to everything I hoped it could be."
Expect the Spartans to implement a full-court press for Hayes in East Lansing, Michigan.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Notre Dame: 5-Star DE Oluwole Betiku
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Class: 2016
High School: Junipero Serra (California)
Size: 6'3 ½", 240 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 weak-side defensive end; No. 10 overall
Oluwole Betiku has brought several squads into the mix since decommitting from UCLA, including Texas A&M, LSU, USC and Florida State. Notre Dame now has a chance to make inroads with the dominant pass-rusher when he heads to South Bend, Indiana, this weekend.
The Nigeria native has just two seasons of high school football under his belt, but that small sample size is enough to warrant nationwide hype. Betiku recorded 11.5 sacks and 59 tackles as a junior, per MaxPreps, and tallied 15 sacks through the first 10 games this fall.
His efforts also shine against the run, as Betiku has compiled 48 tackles for loss in 21 varsity games while playing for one of the Los Angeles area's powerhouse programs.
Notre Dame, currently carrying commitments from 4-star defensive ends Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara, will attempt to capitalize on Betiku's cross-country trip.
Mississippi State: 4-Star WR Stephen Sullivan
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Class: 2016
High School: Donaldsonville (Donaldsonville, Louisiana)
Size: 6'5", 230 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 18 wide receiver; No. 105 overall
Former LSU pledge Stephen Sullivan announced a list of six favorites midway through his senior season, identifying the Tigers, Ole Miss, TCU, Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State as primary contenders. Nearly two months later, he'll follow through with a visit to Starkville, Mississippi.
Sullivan received a scholarship offer from Texas last week, adding the Longhorns to a lengthy list of options that also includes Clemson, Florida State and Nebraska. Despite having five of his favorite universities located in the SEC, TCU is viewed as the team to beat in Sullivan's 247Sports Crystal Ball, carrying 86 percent of experts' predictions.
The Bulldogs welcome him to campus this weekend for a battle with conference front-runner Alabama. A Mississippi State recruiting class rated 12th among SEC squads doesn't yet feature a prospect rated above 3-star status, so the staff's efforts will be elevated with Sullivan strolling around facilities.
He leads Donaldsonville High School with 53 receptions for 995 yards, according to MaxPreps. He caught 57 passes for 987 yards and 11 scores last season.
LSU: 4-Star ATH Malcolm Askew
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Class: 2017
High School: McAdory (McCalla, Alabama)
Size: 6'0", 175 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 12 athlete; No. 121 overall
Georgia currently leads for coveted high school junior Malcolm Askew, but the two-way standout is leaving the door open for alternatives. He revealed the Bulldogs, Clemson and Ole Miss as his top three earlier this week during a discussion with Bleacher Report.
However, he's not limiting himself to that trio.
"I'm taking a hard look at No. 4 and No. 5," said Askew, who claims 43 scholarship offers.
He will visit LSU this weekend before traveling to Florida for a Nov. 21 matchup. Both teams have an opportunity to greatly impact this recruitment, which has become more interesting with uncertainty swirling around Georgia's coaching staff.
Askew, who plays wide receiver, safety and cornerback, is already quite familiar with Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who previously recruited him as an Alabama assistant.
"I spoke with Steele a lot when he was at Alabama," he said. "As soon as he changed over to LSU, they became a much bigger contender for me even though I already had the offer from there. I had a great camp with them, love their facilities and campus."
Notre Dame: 4-Star RB Damian Alloway
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Class: 2016
High School: Summit (Fontana, California)
Size: 5'8 ½", 170 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No.. 4 all-purpose back; No. 174 overall
At this stage, South Bend is the likely destination if Damian Alloway opts to play college football beyond his home state. The versatile offensive weapon remains a primary concern for UCLA, and he's reciprocated that Bruins' interest.
Notre Dame, leading in his 247Sports Crystal Ball with 75 percent of experts' predictions, secured an official visit for its final home game of the fall—a showdown with Wake Forest. Though he considers Oregon a "dream school," according to Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian, the Ducks still haven't extended an offer and time to do so is slipping away.
Alloway, a dazzling kick returner on special teams, can contribute to an offensive attack in various ways. He's a hard-charging slasher in the run game and displays consistent hands as a receiver who turns short gains into game-changing plays.
He tallied 732 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches through the first eight weeks of his senior season, according to the Sun. Alloway projects as a playmaker ready to establish himself as an immediate difference-maker in college.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
