Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 12

National signing day is nearly 10 weeks away, forcing college football programs to elevate efforts on the recruiting trail. Game days are dwindling on campuses across the country, so it's imperative for coaching staffs to capitalize on these final home matchups. 

Several outstanding prospects are on the move again this weekend, traveling to contests throughout America as they work through top collegiate options. It's a group headlined by 5-star linemen from the 2016 and 2017 classes, as Ohio State, Florida and Ole Miss are among teams attempting to make strides with visitors. 

Here's our weekly rundown of key recruiting trips to keep tabs on in the coming days.

Ole Miss: 5-Star ATH Mecole Hardman

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Elbert County (Elberton, Georgia)

Size: 5'10", 175 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 21 overall

Mecole Hardman is easily among the most scintillating college football prospects in his class. The two-way playmaker is smooth on both sides of the ball, offering immense promise as both a cornerback and wide receiver.

Many programs are considering him at multiple positions. Alabama hosted Hardman earlier this month, while fellow SEC squads Georgia and Tennessee are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in his 247Sports Crystal Ball.

Ole Miss, already holding a commitment from No. 1 overall quarterback prospect Shea Patterson, is firmly in the mix for multiple recruits considered the premier players at their positions. Hardman sits atop "athlete" rankings, while fellow Rebels targets Rashan Gary (defensive tackle), Isaac Nuata (tight end), Greg Little (offensive tackle) and Kareem Walker (running back) are also No. 1 among peers.

This will be Hardman's first trip to Oxford. Pressure is on the Rebels staff to maximize his experience and send him home with Ole Miss firmly in the mix.

"I want to spend time with the coaches and get to know them, especially since it’s an official visit," he told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani. "I want to see it from a recruit’s perspective and just see how I could fit in there."

Ohio State: 4-Star DB Brandon Burton

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Junipero Serra (Gardena, California)

Size: 6'2", 195 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 6 safety; No. 133 overall

Junipero Serra High School has produced several USC standouts in recent years, including Adoree' Jackson, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. However, the Trojans are unlikely to continue the pipeline in this case.

Brandon Burton spent official visits at Florida State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame earlier this season while reciprocating interest from Alabama. Ohio State hosts his fourth official visit, aiming to make inroads with a rangy, versatile athlete who could shine at the back end of a star-studded Buckeyes defense.

Ohio State doesn't have many loose ends left in a class currently rated No. 2 nationally in composite rankings, but additions are likely coming for the defensive secondary, where Pittsburgh cornerback Damar Hamlin joins Burton as a top priority.

UCLA is the probable landing spot if Burton opts to stay in Southern California, but count the Buckeyes among programs attempting to lure him beyond state borders.

Arkansas: 4-Star RB Devwah Whaley

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Central (Beaumont, Texas)

Size: 6'0", 209 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 running back; No. 131 overall

Lone Star State playmaker Devwah Whaley is primarily focused on three favorites moving forward, he told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles days ago. Arkansas, Georgia and Texas are teams out ahead in a recruitment that features more than 20 schools.

The Razorbacks have an opportunity to further solidly a spot among his top options this weekend. Whaley comes to town for an official visit, returning to campus for a closer look at the program and Fayetteville.

"I took an unofficial [to Arkansas], but I didn't really get to do much or hang with the players. That's what I'm looking for, to get a better feel for everything and to get around the campus," he told Sayles.

Whaley would fit in well with Arkansas' scheme, potentially providing head coach Bret Bielema with a powerful rusher who can read blocks behind a massive Razorbacks offensive line. He rushed for 2,694 yards and 34 touchdowns as an upperclassman, according to Sayles.

Clemson: 4-Star WR Bryan Edwards

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2016

High School: Conway (Conway, South Carolina)

Size: 6'3", 208 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 40 wide receiver; No. 205 overall

The situation changed swiftly for Bryan Edwards this week, as he decommitted from South Carolina and lined up an official visit to Clemson in one fell swoop, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. He becomes the second big-time receiver to back off a verbal pledge to the Gamecoks this cycle, joining 5-star prospect Kyle Davis.

Edwards initially committed to South Carolina in March following a junior season that featured 52 receptions for 688 yards and six scores. He also returned two punts for touchdowns in 2014, according to Ian Guerin of MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

Clemson extended a scholarship offer very early in the process and hosted him on campus this season. Now the Tigers emerge as a prohibitive favorite in this pursuit, and it wouldn't be surprising if Edwards joins Clemson's class soon. 

The Tigers aren't exactly lacking for talent at wide receiver after signing an impressive haul of pass-catchers last February and assembling a collection of 2016 commitments. Clemson carries a pair of 4-star pledges at the position in Cornell Powell and Tavares Chase. 

Florida: 4-Star ATH Malcolm Askew

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2017

High School: McAdory (McCalla, Alabama)

Size: 6'0", 175 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 13 athlete; No. 123 overall

Malcolm Askew is a two-way standout starting to whittle down his collegiate options as a high school junior. He named Georgia his leader last week during a discussion with Bleacher Report, listing Clemson and Ole Miss at No. 2 and No. 3 among favorites.

Florida and LSU were on the fringe of that top three, labeled as an unordered No. 4 and No. 5 by Askew. He visited Baton Rouge last weekend, watching the Tigers fall to Arkansas, and now travels to Gainesville. 

Past experiences at Florida were positive, and Askew's rapport with Jim McElwain dates back to the head coach's tenure as Alabama offensive coordinator.

"On my first visit, it felt like Florida could be home. The coaches were treating me like they'd already known me a long time," Askew said. "I remember Coach Mac from Alabama camps, and he's a great guy. I have a great relationship with [offensive coordinator Doug] Nussmeier from his days at Alabama too. They've known me for a while, and it felt like family."

This visit could push the Gators further up his list, potentially gaining ground on rival Georgia. 

Oklahoma: 5-Star LB Caleb Kelly

Class: 2016

High School: Clovis West (Fresno, California)

Size: 6'3", 215 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 outside linebacker; No. 23 overall

Oklahoma, long considered the front-runner for Caleb Kelly's signature, welcomes the dynamic defender to campus this weekend. Head coach Bob Stoops hopes to see his squad move another step toward sealing the deal with this sensational talent, while keeping the Sooners in college football's playoff picture with a win over TCU.

Kelly is enjoying a widespread recruiting process, with past official visits to Notre Dame, Oregon and Michigan. A commitment announcement isn't expected until national signing day, and another official visit lies ahead, according to Greg Biggins of Scout.com.

"I still haven't decided on my final visit yet, but I definitely plan to take it. I'm looking at Florida State, LSU, TCU and Ohio State," Kelly told Biggins.

Oklahoma claims all 20 experts' predictions in his Crystal Ball, but there's plenty of company in the chase for Kelly, who can rush the quarterback and provide pass coverage with consistency.

Penn State: 5-Star OT Isaiah Wilson

Credit: 247Sports

Class: 2017

High School: Poly Prep (Brooklyn, New York)

Size: 6'7", 322 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 offensive tackle; No. 17 overall

Less than one week after unveiling a top eight that didn't include Penn State, coveted junior blocker Isaiah Wilson announced he will head to Happy Valley this Saturday. Just like that, the Nittany Lions seemingly enter the equation for one of America's most promising offensive linemen.

Wilson, who already possesses a massive physical frame, could vie for top-10 status in national rankings this time next year. His recently released list of favorites featured Florida, Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, LSU and nearby Rutgers.

Penn State's game against Michigan also allows him to check out the Wolverines in person.

This collection was quite different from the group of top choices Wilson unveiled in July. That list included 10 teams, with Auburn, South Carolina, Miami, Nebraska, Florida State and Maryland among them.

This is obviously a very fluid situation, and perhaps now the pendulum swings toward Penn State. Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin holds just one commitment in the 2017 cycle, having secured 4-star Cincinnati quarterback Sean Clifford this summer. 

Ole Miss: 5-Star DT Rashan Gary

Class: 2016

High School: Paramus Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey)

Size: 6'5", 293 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 1 overall

The Rashan Gary sweepstakes rolls into Rebels territory this weekend as America's top-rated recruit heads to Oxford. His mother, Jennifer Coney, confirmed travel plans with Chris Kirschner of SECCountry.com.

Gary took his first official visit to Michigan, where former Paramus Catholic High School head coach Chris Patridge now serves as Wolverines recruiting coordinator. His latest journey to Ole Miss should provide him with a more balanced outlook of the university.

"When we first went to Ole Miss, we were only there for like five hours," Coney told 247Sports. "So he wants complete...just to see it at its foremost. So, c'mon Rashan, let's go." 

He's the latest elite target to show sincere interest in Ole Miss. Gary, who recorded 10 tackles for loss and 14 sacks as a junior, is expected to visit more campuses before finalizing college intentions.

Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, USC and LSU are among potential destinations during this final stretch.

Tyler Donohue is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.