Most Important Recruiting Visits on Final Weekend Before National Signing Day

By this time next week, your favorite college football recruit is expected to be a college football signee. National signing day is on Feb. 3, and the majority of targets in the 2016 class will sign a national letter of intent on that day, officially ending their respective recruiting processes.

All that means for college coaches is the upcoming weekend is a last-chance opportunity to land some of the elite uncommitted talent—and, possibly, flip some of those who are already committed. There are a few big campus visits scheduled nationally for this weekend, which include some of the best players of the 2016 class.

Here are eight players, listed in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on as they prepare for the final weekend of official visits.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Tennessee: 5-Star DT Derrick Brown

High School: Lanier High School (Buford, Georgia)

Size: 6'3 ¾", 317 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 DT (No. 9 overall)

Contenders Include: Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State

What's at Stake

There are those following Derrick Brown's recruiting who believe Tennessee is a definite dark horse to ultimately land him. The Volunteers are seeing things a little differently. Brown told 247Sports.com's Ryan Callahan that Tennessee has been great to him and that he's a big fan of the environment in Knoxville.

What may get Tennessee fans even more excited is that Brown told Callahan the "whole family" will make the official visit with him. Winning over family members is huge in recruiting, and coach Butch Jones and his staff will have their shot to make a lasting impression to land an important target.

Florida: 4-Star WR Tyrie Cleveland

High School: Westfield High School (Houston, Texas)

Size: 6'2 ½", 189 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 WR (No. 33 overall)

Contenders Include: Houston, Arkansas and TCU

What's at Stake

Houston scored a huge commitment on Dec. 10 in Tyrie Cleveland, but the pledge always has been considered somewhat iffy. Cleveland scheduled official visits to TCU and Arkansas earlier this month, and Florida will get his final official this weekend.

Jim McElwain and his coaching staff have made Cleveland a priority—and rightfully so. Cleveland is a tall, speedy playmaker at receiver, and the Gators could use him in their system. What we must remember, however, is that Cleveland is still committed to Houston. Can the Gators lure him away?

Auburn: 5-Star LB Ben Davis

High School: Gordo High School (Gordo, Alabama)

Size: 6'3", 240 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 ILB (No. 10 overall)

Contenders Include: Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame

What's at Stake

For Ben Davis, all signs are pointing to him signing with Alabama on Feb. 3. He's a Crimson Tide legacy (Wayne Davis is Alabama's all-time tackles leader), and he's gone on the record for giving head coach Nick Saban one of the best compliments anyone can give.

But this is Ben Davis we're talking about, and nothing is guaranteed in recruiting until his signature is on a national letter of intent. Davis has been very good about keeping recruiting close to the vest. One thing's for sure: He's told Bleacher Report he likes Auburn and what head coach Gus Malzahn brings to the table. Consider this weekend a vital official visit for the Tigers.

Tennessee: 4-Star OT Landon Dickerson

High School: South Caldwell High School (Hudson, North Carolina)

Size: 6'5", 300 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 OT (No. 31 overall)

Contenders Include: Florida State and Auburn

What's at Stake

For Landon Dickerson, it comes down to playing either in the ACC or SEC. Florida State is thought to be a front-runner, but Dickerson told Bleacher Report that Tennessee is just as much a contender. Head coach Butch Jones and the rest of the Volunteers coaching staff will look to close on Dickerson this weekend.

Dickerson has built a solid relationship with offensive line coach Don Mahoney, and he's mentioned multiple times to Bleacher Report that he feels a connection with everyone in Knoxville. He's made multiple visits to Tennessee, but can the Volunteers do enough to beat out Florida State in a very competitive recruiting battle?

Florida: 5-Star CB Kristian Fulton

High School: Archbishop Rummel High School (Metairie, Louisiana)

Size: 6'0", 177 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 CB (No. 21 overall)

Contenders Include: LSU and Arkansas

What's at Stake

Steering Kristian Fulton away from LSU is going to be tough, but you can believe that Florida will do all it can to make the decision extremely tough for him. In fact, don't be surprised if the Gators' coaching staff is even more focused on Fulton than some of the other athletes expected to be in Gainesville this weekend.

Florida is still without a defensive backs coach after relieving Kirk Callahan of his duties two weeks ago. Landing a defensive back without a defensive backs coach is very difficult, but look for head coach Jim McElwain and running backs coach Tim Skipper, Fulton's area recruiting contact, to assist in making Fulton's official visit one for the books.

Clemson: 5-Star DT Rashan Gary

High School: Paramus Catholic High School (Paramus, New Jersey)

Size: 6'5", 293 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 overall

Contenders Include: Michigan, USC, Ole Miss and Auburn

What's at Stake

Clemson is hoping to close this recruiting cycle stronger than any other program by landing Rashan Gary, the nation's top-ranked player. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables has made Gary a primary target for months now, and the Tigers are hoping this official visit will help close the deal on signing day.

Here's the caveat to that plan: Gary's mother, Jennifer Coney, told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.com that they are planning to squeeze in a trip to Alabama during the weekend. That trip, which would be an unofficial visit, could come after Clemson's official—if taken. All this means is the Tigers must give an outstanding effort during their allotted time with Gary and his mother.

Baylor: 4-Star S Brandon Jones

High School: Nacogdoches High School (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Size: 5'11 ½", 193 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 S (No. 40 overall)

Contenders Include: Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas and TCU

What's at Stake

Having a versatile defensive back who is a natural safety but can defend like a cornerback is important for any college secondary. Baylor is hoping to win the recruiting battle for Brandon Jones, who is expected to announce his top three schools on Monday, two days before signing day.

Many believe the battle for Jones is between Texas and Texas A&M, but Baylor wants to show it's just as much a contender. Receiving Jones' final official visit speaks volumes, and head coach Art Briles, along with defensive backs coach Cris Dishman and defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, will be looking to close the deal and also shock those who follow Jones' process.

Florida: 5-Star LB Mack Wilson

High School: Carver High School (Montgomery, Alabama)

Size: 6'2", 220 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 OLB (No. 15 overall)

Contenders Include: Alabama and Georgia

What's at Stake

Can the Gators steal away a player in Lyndell "Mack" Wilson who most feel will stay in-state and play for Alabama? Consider this a big task for Florida co-defensive coordinators Geoff Collins and Randy Shannon, but consider it a challenge accepted.

Wilson has spoken very highly of Florida with Bleacher Report in previous conversations, and this official visit could make or break things for head coach Jim McElwain and his staff. Florida has a stud 2016 recruiting class, and adding Wilson would make the class top-five-caliber nationally.