South: Five key official visits
The Early Signing Period is now just 48 days away. As we inch closer to that three day (December 19-22) signing period, there will be more crucial official visits taken.
The 2018 football season is winding down for some of the best in the America, so many schools will have big weekends over the next month and a half.
This weekend, some of the best in the South hit the road for key official visits. Here are five to know about.
Visiting: Auburn
Nakobe Dean at one time planned to visit Auburn the weekend of November 17, but he moved it up a couple of weeks and the Tigers will have a big weekend. Dean is the No. 1 inside linebacker in the country and the Tigers are a true contender. Alabama received the first official visit back in the summer and Dean is set to visit Georgia next weekend. Many feel the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are at the top of Dean's list, so this weekend is key for Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers. Like many AU recruits, Dean likes linebackers coach Travis Williams, the coach most call T-Will. LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M are three others still in play.
Visiting: Wisconsin
JD Bertrand was on the Georgia commitment list this time a month ago. He removed his name from that list Friday night October 5 as he drove down to Gainesville (Fla.) to visit the Gators. Florida is viewed by some as the favorite, but Wisconsin will receive official visit No. 1 for the Peach State linebacker. This is still somewhat of an open race. Ole Miss offered Bertrand Wednesday. TCU is a school that has his interest as well. This weekend the Badgers will have his full attention. Florida is the only other school that he knows he will visit officially at this time and he does not plan to sign with a school until February.
Visiting: Michigan
Kalen Deloach has been committed to Florida State just over three months, but Auburn and Michigan are still in this race. Deloach was in Tallahassee for the season opener, but has not been back since. He took his official visit to Auburn in September and he will be back in Ann Arbor for his official visit this weekend. His official visit to Florida State will take place on the weekend of November 23. Deloach is still committed, but exploring his options at the same time. His sister runs track at Ohio State, so he already has family up north.
Visiting: Auburn
Jadon Haselwood will be back on the Plains this weekend and it will be for his official visit. Auburn was at one time viewed as Georgia's biggest threat for Haselwood. That was back in the spring and early in the summer when he was still on the UGA commitment list. Almost a month ago, Haselwood re-opened his recruitment just days before his official visit to Miami. The Hurricanes now are viewed by some as the front runner. Auburn is right there too. As is Georgia and maybe Oklahoma. He has an official visit to Georgia set for November 23 and he has already taken his official to Norman. Haselwood is close to AU commits Bo Nix and George Pickens. Haselwood feels he could be a difference maker at Auburn and this weekend will be big for both parties.
Visiting: Florida
Travon Walker is committed to Georgia, but for the second week in a row, he will be visiting a Bulldog rival. He was in Columbia last weekend on an unofficial visit to South Carolina. He is related to the Wonnum brothers who play for Will Muschamp. This weekend, he will be at the Swamp. Florida has not slowed their recruitment down and the Gators need defensive linemen in this class. Walker mentioned a potential official visit to Clemson in two weeks, but that is not scheduled yet. Alabama and Tennessee are two others he may visit officially. His official visit to Georgia is scheduled for December. He plans to sign during the Early Signing Period.
