College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top 10 Recruiting Visits In January
As National Signing Day approaches, the top-ranked recruits yet to make their college football choices will make their official visits over the course of the next three weeks. Among the list of players making important official visits are: Jadeveon Clowney, the nation’s top-ranked player, third ranked Ray Drew and Isaiah Crowell, the No. 1 rated running back in all the land.
Schools will make final preparations to make their recruits’ weekends as memorable as possible, with the hopes of landing the prized player. Clowney and Drew, in fact, will visit Clemson on the same date in what could be the most important few days for the Tigers all year.
Here is a breakdown of the top 10 official visits to take place in January as we near National Signing Day on Feb. 2.
Jadeveon Clowney to Visit Clemson Jan. 21
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It’s well documented that South Carolina and Alabama are the two favorites to land prized top-ranked recruit Jadeveon Clowney. Still, the athletic and explosive defensive end is leaving his options wide open. This week, he’ll make his official visit to Alabama and will likely make a visit to LSU on Jan. 28.
But his visit to Clemson on Jan. 21 is one I think can make an impact on the recruiting landscape.
Clemson beefed up its recruiting class this past weekend and has the 10th ranked class in the nation, according to ESPN.com. The commitments of six ESPNU150 players may be enough to swing Clowney, a South Carolina native. And if Clemson were to land him, that would undoubtedly swing the balance of power in the ACC and perhaps beyond.
Ray Drew to Visit Clemson Same Weekend As Clowney
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Clowney won’t be the only top-ranked recruit in Clemson next weekend.
The Tigers will also be hosting Ray Drew, the third-ranked overall recruit in the nation and the No. 2 defensive end. Drew is considering Georgia, LSU and Tennesse, but reportedly has a lean towards Auburn, with good reason.
Still, if Clemson can charm the 6’5’’, 253 pound Drew, it could have the chance of landing the top two defensive recruits in the country.
Isaiah Crowell to Visit Auburn Post-National Championship Game
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Crowell, the top-ranked running back and No. 5 overall recruit, is slated to make his official visit to Auburn Jan. 21.
Depending on the outcome of tonight’s National Championship game, Crowell may be able to get a look at where he’d play for the defending champs. Regardless of the outcome, though, Crowell would be a great get for the Tigers, who trail a bit in SEC recruiting rankings. Alabama, LSU and Georgia have put together fantastic classes, while Auburn has kept its focus on the field.
Crowell could change all of that.
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Cyrus Kouandjio Visiting USC After Trojans Lose out at Army All-American Game
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USC swung hard but missed at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and watched top lineman Viliami Moala chose Cal over playing for the Trojans next year.
Kouandjio could change the feelings for USC though, after his official visit this month. Kouandjio is the sixth ranked overall in the nation and the No. 2 offensive tackle.
Tony Steward Cancels Alabama Visit, Plans to Visit Florida
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The Gators could be getting some good news soon. Top-ranked inside linebacker—No. 9 player overall—Tony Steward is coming for a visit. The 6’1’’, 225 pound Florida native is down to Florida State, Clemson, UCLA and Florida after eliminating Alabama from his list of finalists.
He’ll likely head to Gainesville for a mid-week visit.
Jeoffrey Pagan Visiting Clemson Jan. 14
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Pagan, the fourth ranked defensive end in the class of 2011 and No. 19 player overall, will make his official visit to Clemson this weekend. After being committed to Florida, Pagan dropped the Gators and will stop at LSU and Alabama leading up to National Signing Day.
In the next two weeks, Clemson will see the top three undeclared defensive ends and is bound to land one of them.
Troy Niklas to Notre Dame
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Niklas is the 19th ranked tight end and is highly touted at 6’6’’, 245 pounds.
He’ll make his official visit to Notre Dame Jan. 28, perhaps saving his favorite for last. The Anaheim, California native is also considering USC, Stanford, Cal and UCLA.
Savon Huggins Visiting Rutgers
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Being recruited by powers like Notre Dame and Auburn, some could look at Rutgers’ target on Huggins as just a formality. Yet the fifth ranked running back from Jersey City, New Jersey will head to Rutgers for his official Jan 22.
The 6’, 190 pounder could tip the scales for players like Isaiah Crowell if he decides to commit earlier than Feb. 2.
Stephone Anthony Visits Virginia Tech
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Anthony is the top-ranked outside linebacker and No. 30 overall player. Last week, he visited Florida and will see Clemson and North Carolina State before the month is over. His Jan. 22 visit to Virginia Tech, though, is a key date for the Hokies.
With Virginia putting together a solid 2011 recruiting class and Louisville and UConn bound to garner plenty of clout in the Big East, the Hokies will certainly set their targets on the 6’2’’, 220 pound Anthony.
Curtis Grant’s Visit to Florida Jan. 14
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Grant, the third ranked inside linebacker in the nation, will make his official visit to Florida this weekend. Before the end of the month, he’ll also visit North Carolina and has been to Ohio State and Virginia already.
The Virginia native would be a huge get for the Gators, who have seen a decrease in commitments after the departure of head coach Urban Meyer. Being the only SEC school on Grant’s final list, the Gators have to truly be in contention to land the services of the 6’3’’, 220 pound Grant.
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