South: 10 crucial official visits to track
The Early Signing Period is less than two weeks away. December 19 is a date circled on many calendars, so these next two weekends are crucial for prospects and college coaches.
Each official visit is important and we take a look at 10 prospects in the South (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi) that plan to take official visits this weekend.
Visiting: Mississippi State
This is big for Joe Moorhead and Mississippi State. Although four-star cornerback Gregory Brooks out of Louisiana is committed to the Bulldogs, there is still some work to be done. Arkansas was the school Brooks chose Mississippi State over in the summer when he committed. The two have still talked on a regular basis, he has taken an official visit to Fayetteville and the Razorbacks are a legit threat.
Visiting: Miami
At one time Jakai Clark was committed to Auburn. Then he almost committed to Arizona, but instead committed to Illinois almost a mont ago. Now, just a couple of days after receiving an offer from Miami, the center out of Georgia is set to visit the Hurricanes. Is he another one that should be on Flip Watch? The word is, if the visit goes well in Coral Gables, Clark will end up signing with Mark Richt and the University of Miami. This is one to watch closely in the coming days.
Visiting: LSU
LSU has been in this race for a long time, so the Tigers receiving the final official visit is big. They asked for it and they received it. Ed Orgeron and his staff appear to have some real work to do though if they want to land Nakobe Dean. Alabama and Georgia are viewed as the frontrunners at this time, so will this weekend change that? He was at Ole Miss last weekend, and he still lists the Rebels, Mississippi State, Auburn and Texas A&M among his finalists. He is set to announce his decision December 19.
Visiting: Miami
The Miami Hurricanes are working hard to flip Justin Eboigbe from Alabama. Tennessee is a school some have been watching and Florida is in this too, but Miami will give it their best shot this weekend. Jess Simpson, the defensive line coach in Miami has connected with Eboigbe, so this weekend, the feel the four-star has on campus will be very important. Alabama having the final visit next weekend will make it even tougher for any school hoping to flip Eboigbe.
Visiting: Ole Miss
Can Ole Miss become a true contender in this race? Derick Hall visited Florida last week and the Gators made a strong impression, but can they compete with Auburn and Mississippi State? That is the question surrounding the Rebels this weekend. This has been a two-team race for months, so will Matt Luke and his staff be able to change that? This will be Hall’s final official visit. He plans to take an unofficial visit to Auburn next weekend before signing during the Early Signing Period.
Visiting: LSU
The defensive back position is a priority for LSU this cycle and the Tigers jumped on Raydarious Jones early. Over the summer in between his sophomore and junior year, Jones camped in Baton Rouge and made a strong impression. He has been in contact with the LSU since. Being from Mississippi and having a sister in Oxford, the Rebels are viewed as the favorite. Mississippi State is set to get him on campus next weekend and Auburn has already hosted Jones for an official visit. It is a four team race.
Visiting: Auburn
Auburn has been a threat to Mississippi State for months, and with Charles Moore not signing early, this could be a battle to February. LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee are schools Moore still lists as contenders too, but the schools challenging the Bulldogs the most is Auburn. Moore has been on the Plains a handful of times and he likes the coaches and the culture. This race is extremely tight between Auburn and Mississippi State at this time.
Visiting: Auburn
Alabama was at one time viewed as the main threat to Auburn for George Pickens, but LSU has recently picked up some momentum. Could the five-star flip from one Tigers to another? He spent last weekend in Baton Rouge, and now, he will spend 48 hours on the campus of the school he is committed to. Pickens does not plan to sign until February at this time, so Auburn has some work to do keep this one on the commitment list.
Visiting: North Carolina
Mack Brown and the new staff in Chapel Hill have come in and made Kristian Varner a priority. He was set to visit TCU this weekend until North Carolina came in, had an in-home visit and changed his mind. Missouri is a school to watch here too, with the Tigers making a strong impression last weekend. Now it will be North Carolina’s chance. Varner will take it all in this weekend. He still wants to sign December 19.
Visiting: Alabama
Alabama would like nothing more than for Byron Young to leave this visit with a change of plans. As of now, Young plans to wait and sign in February despite being committed to the Crimson Tide. Right now, he is still planning to take visits in January to schools like LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Can Alabama convince him to sign early? That is likely something they will work on this week.
