5-Star Football Recruit Stephone Anthony: Will Visit to Florida Lock Him Up?

5-star linebacker Stephone Anthony will be one of the biggest names in attendance for the Florida-LSU game this weekend in Gainesville while he makes his official visit to the school.

Anthony, one of the top outside linebackers in the country, is believed to be heavily favoring the Gators, though it's unlikely he makes a commitment during his trip. 

He's said on numerous occasions that he will make all of his official visits before coming to a decision and will not make an announcement until the Under-Armour All-American Game in January. 

While Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, Georgia, and N.C. State remain in the hunt as well, Florida jumped out as the early favorite in this race and hasn't really lost ground since. 

Anthony was at N.C. State last weekend for their matchup with Virginia Tech and was in Blacksburgh for the Hokies win over East Carolina a couple of weeks earlier. 

After his visit to Virginia Tech it became clear that Anthony had established a good connection with defensive coordinator Bud Foster and was favoring the Hokies more than he previously had. 

"Oh man, it was good to be around Coach Foster," Anthony said. "He's a high-energy guy and is really cool. You know he'll coach you and I got a chance to see that more. 

"I really enjoyed the trip, it was just good to get up there again," he said. "I can't really say where it puts Tech, it kind of evens out for me with Florida until I get back up there."

Now that his official trip to Florida is upon us, will the Gators get the same kind of love? 

Since September 1, the first day that college coaches are permitted to call high school seniors, Anthony has been in constant contact with the Florida staff, particularly linebacker coach D.J. Durkin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. 

Anthony has made several unofficial visits to Gainesville in the past, including a trip for the Kentucky game on September 25, but things should escalate during his official tour of the campus. 

A big game against a conference rival, as well as more time with the coaching staff, could potentially put this race out of reach.

Let Urban Meyer and his staff have some time with a recruit and they can do an awful lot to convince that individual where they belong; just ask 2010 recruit Matt Elam. 

Anthony still has an official visit to Clemson set and might make trips to Georgia and North Carolina as well, but considering how well-documented his affinity for Florida is, Anthony's decision might have already been made before Clemson even gets it's claws in him.