Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits 3 Weeks Away from Signing Day
The dead period is finished for college football's 2016 recruiting cycle, which suddenly has less than three weeks left. Resumed contact between prospects and coaching staffs results in a slew of final official visits as high school seniors and their families attempt to find an ideal fit.
Many of America's premier players are on the move this weekend, exploring campuses they could ultimately call home later this year. Here's a look a several standouts expected to arrive at universities across the college football landscape.
LSU: 5-Star DT Rashard Lawrence
1 of 7
High School: Neville High School (Monroe, Louisiana)
Size: 6'3", 305 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 defensive tackle; No. 23 overall
Contenders Include: LSU and Ohio State
What's at Stake
The Tigers essentially seek to seal the deal with Rashard Lawrence during this official visit, which will end just days shy of his scheduled Jan. 22 commitment announcement. It's a battle between LSU and the Buckeyes, who welcomed him to Columbus in October.
This comes down to a pair of powerhouse programs and premier positional assistants. Defensive line coaches Larry Johnson (Ohio State) and Ed Orgeron (LSU) are two of America's best and aim to entrench Lawrence at the center of their fronts for years to come.
Georgia: 5-Star LB Lyndell Wilson
2 of 7
High School: Carver High School (Montgomery, Alabama)
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 14 overall
Contenders Include: Alabama, Florida and Georgia
What's at Stake
Lyndell Wilson finds himself at the center of yet another SEC recruiting showdown. Florida, featuring a class with multiple commitments from the Montgomery area, was named his leader during the season, but at this stage, it's hard to tell if any team truly is ahead here.
Georgia is primed to make a major push toward national signing day, and with head coach Kirby Smart's work at Alabama now officially complete, there's a sense this new regime is going all in. Wilson was heavily recruited by Smart on behalf of the Crimson Tide, so that should provide a seamless transition for a relationship that now centers in Athens.
USC: 5-Star DT Rashan Gary
3 of 7
High School: Paramus Catholic High School (Paramus, New Jersey)
Size: 6'5", 293 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 1 overall
Contenders Include: Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss and USC
What's at Stake
Despite its longstanding spot in Rashan Gary's official visit itinerary, USC has managed to fly under the radar throughout this frenzied recruitment. The nation's top-rated prospect headlines a weekend in Los Angeles expected to also include uncommitted 4-star defensive end Connor Murphy from Arizona.
Michigan has been viewed as Gary's front-runner for months, boosted by the presence of former Paramus Catholic head coach Chris Partridge in Wolverines' recruiting efforts and the early enrollment of close friend Kareem Walker.
USC may be Gary's final stop on the recruiting trail aside from Ann Arbor, and newly hired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will attempt to sell him on the idea of pairing up with top-ranked 2016 pass-rusher Oluwole Betiku in a young Trojans attack.
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Texas: 5-Star DB Brandon Jones
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High School: Nacogdoches High School (Nacogdoches, Texas)
Size: 5'11 ½", 193 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 18 overall
Contenders Include: Auburn, Baylor, Ole Miss, Texas and Texas A&M
What's at Stake
Texas, in dire need of an efficient finish on the 2016 recruiting trail, is set for a big weekend of visits, headlined by top-rated safety Brandon Jones. The Longhorns clearly weren't afraid to implement true freshman during the 2015 season, and while that resulted in some struggles en route to a 5-7 record, it showed current recruits they could seize immediate reps in Austin.
Linebacker Malik Jefferson, the Lone Star State's No. 1 defensive recruit last year, is a prime example and could help encourage playmakers like Jones to climb aboard. Head coach Charlie Strong must build more recruiting momentum with weeks remaining before signing day, and making strides with this standout is an excellent place to start.
Notre Dame: 5-Star LB Ben Davis
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High School: Gordo High School (Gordo, Alabama)
Size: 6'3", 240 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 inside linebacker; No. 13 overall
Contenders Include: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame
What's at Stake
The Fighting Irish are forced to find foundational linebacker talents who can fill the void left behind by NFL-bound star Jaylon Smith, and the position has been a priority in South Bend. Few prospects bring the balanced skill set of Ben Davis, who appears to possess range that extends from pass-rusher to downfield coverage.
The son of all-time Alabama Crimson Tide tackles leader Wayne Davis will spend the remaining stretch of his recruitment on home turf, traveling to Tuscaloosa and Auburn. Smart's hiring at Georgia genuinely piqued his interest in the Bulldogs, so Notre Dame is attempting to insert itself in a hotly contested SEC battle.
Auburn: 5-Star DT Derrick Brown
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High School: Lanier High School (Buford, Georgia)
Size: 6'3 ¾", 317 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 8 overall
Contenders Include: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee
What's at Stake
Despite a massive defensive coaching staff shakeup for the second straight year, Auburn is closing strongly on the recruiting trail with top-tier defenders. Derrick Brown presents another paramount target for a Tigers class that landed early enrollees Marlon Davidson and Antwuan Jackson, considered top-10 prospects at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively.
Brown traveled to Alabama in December and will wrap things up with trips to Tennessee and Georgia later this month. Auburn will lean on his relationship with defensive line coach Rodney Garner in hopes of prying him away from the Peach State.
Ohio State: 5-Star ATH Mecole Hardman Jr.
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High School: Elbert County High School (Elberton, Georgia)
Size: 5'10", 169 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 11 overall
Contenders Include: Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, TCU and Tennessee
What's at Stake
Peach State product Mecole Hardman Jr. is an elite playmaker on either side of the football, providing immense potential at both cornerback and wide receiver. He declared Alabama his leader earlier this month, according to Drew Champlin of AL.com, while Georgia is ardent about keeping him home.
Hardman, who isn't expected to announce his collegiate intentions until national signing day, told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles this trip to Columbus was considered "a surprise." Ohio State kind of came out of left field as a contender, and we'll soon find out how legitimate that interest truly is after his stay in Columbus.
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