Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 2

The numerous high-profile matchups that dominated the opening week of the 2016 college football season are in the books, and Week 2 gives way to a slate that pales in comparison to it.

Gone are the ranked meetings featuring heavyweights from different power-five conferences doing battle against one another. Instead, most Top-25 programs will face either group of five teams or FCS foes.

Despite the lack of marquee matchups, the weekend still represents an opportunity for numerous schools throughout the country to make an impact on top targets on their recruiting boards.

Which visits could prove to be pivotal this weekend?

Let’s take a look at the most important recruiting visits for Week 2 of the college football season.

Alabama: 4-Star DE LaBryan Ray

Class: 2017

High School: James Clemens High School (Madison, Alabama)

Size: 6'4", 270 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 strong-side defensive end; No. 62 overall

Alabama has already landed six in-state prospects in it’s No. 2-rated 2017 class.

One player they would love to round out their class with is the state’s top overall prospect—4-star defensive end LaBryan Ray. 

The nation’s No. 3 strong-side defensive end and the No. 62 player overall will make the short trip to Tuscaloosa this weekend to see the top-ranked Tide take on Western Kentucky, according to BamaOnline. 

In July, Ray announced a top six that included Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. 

The Tide are the heavy favorites to land Ray, and getting him on campus early and often should strengthen their chances to land a potential difference-maker on the defensive line.

Georgia: 5-Star DE Xavier Thomas

Class: 2018

High School: Wilson High School (Florence, South Carolina)

Size: 6'2 1/2", 249 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 strong-side defensive end; No. 2 overall

The race to land 2018 5-star defensive end Xavier Thomas is beginning to take shape.

Last week, the top overall defensive prospect in the 2018 cycle visited SEC powerhouse Auburn.

This week, he confirmed on his Twitter account that he will head to another SEC titan, as he makes a visit to see Georgia take on Nicholls. 

One area that new Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is looking to add talent and depth to is along the defensive line. 

With the visit representing Thomas’ first trip to Athens, it gives the Bulldogs an opportunity to make a lasting first impression on one of the premier talents in the 2018 class.

Oklahoma: 4-Star LB Jacob Phillips

Class: 2017

High School: East Nashville Magnet School (Nashville, Tennessee)

Size: 6'3 1/2", 228 lbs 

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 7 inside linebacker; No. 193 overall

Most prospects typically wait to take their official visits later in the season or even after the season. For 4-star linebacker Jacob Phillips, he’s taking the opposite approach.

Last week’s first official visit to Oregon began a spree that will see Phillips take five trips in five weeks. 

Up next on his list is a visit to check out Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma. The Sooners are hoping to take out the frustrations from their loss to Houston last weekend against Louisiana-Monroe. 

As his crystal ball page indicates, the Sooners are the presumed favorite to land him.

This visit could go a long way toward ensuring he lands in Norman at the end of his process.

Oregon: 4-Star OL Chuck Filiaga

Class: 2017 

High School: Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas)

Size: 6'6", 335 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 16 offensive tackle; No. 112 overall

On the heels of releasing his list of top-10 schools, 4-star offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga will take his first official visit to Oregon, as detailed by Justin Hopkins of 247Sports.

Joining the Ducks on Filiaga’s short list are Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, TCU, Tennessee, Texas and USC. 

That the 6'6", 335-pounder—who is originally from California—is taking his first visit to Eugene in the aftermath of shortening his list can be viewed as a good sign for the Ducks.

If the Ducks are able to take care of business against Virginia, the atmosphere could be a huge asset in helping them gain a leg up in the race to land one of the nation’s elite offensive linemen in Filiaga.

Utah: 4-Star CB Elijah Blades

Class: 2017

High School: John Muir High School (Pasadena, California)

Size: 6'2", 170 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 25 corner; No. 199 overall

Rivalry games typically provide the type of atmosphere that makes elite recruits flock to the stands late in the season.

However, a handful of programs will get that same opportunity early in the season. 

One such game this weekend will feature rivals BYU and Utah doing battle at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

One talented defender who will be on a visit to check out the Utes is 4-star corner and current Florida pledge Elijah Blades.

The Golden State standout committed to the Gators back in June. He will visit Gainesville on Oct. 8. However, he’s left the door slightly open with his recruitment considering he’s scheduled visits to Illinois and Nebraska in addition to his trip this weekend.

The Utes physical style of defense and the fact that they are closer to his home state of California could be factors that give them a chance to reconsider his original commitment as signing day approaches.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani