Rivals national recruiting analyst Cole Patterson has thoughts on rankings risers in the Mid-South, a look at Texas Tech's hot stretch and several key visits to watch this weekend.
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1. RANKINGS RISERS IN THE MID-SOUTH
The Mid-South saw some movement up and down in the updated Rivals250 rankings. That included a prospect ascending to five-star status, others making significant jumps in the order and some impressive debuts.
Justin Williams earned his fifth-star and is now the top-ranked linebacker in the nation. He's a sideline-to-sideline backer with Georgia and Oregon in hot pursuit. Clemson commit Bryant Wesco soared into the top-30 and just outside five-star range. The wiry wideout could very well move up even more in the next update.
Do-it-all playmaker Terry Bussey rose into the top-50 thanks to his dynamic ability on both sides of the ball. He plays quarterback on the high school level and has upside at receiver, but Texas A&M, Texas and others want him in the secondary. Speedy Duncanville running back Caden Durham is among the top-ranked at his position with LSU and Oklahoma battling it out.
Two defenders to watch closely are Mississippi outside linebacker Jamonta Waller and Texas defensive end Joseph Jonah-Ajonye. Both have seen their recruitment heat up in major ways and are on the rise this summer.
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2. TEXAS TECH IS ROLLING
Momentum is rolling in Lubbock as Joey McGuire and staff build Texas Tech's 2024 class. The Red Raiders have secured some key commitments this month, perhaps none bigger than high three-star tackle Ellis Davis. Additionally, the Red Raiders hosted electric four-star wideout Ernest Campbell last weekend and could be making a move in his recruitment.
But this weekend sets the biggest stage for McGuire and company because five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson takes his official visit to Lubbock from Friday to Sunday, giving the Red Raiders the opportunity to potentially land its highest-rated recruit of the Rivals era.
There's work to be done. Especially since Hudson stopped to check out Texas before getting on his flight to Lubbock, and the Longhorns will host him for their own official visit next weekend. Still, the door is open for Texas Tech to make a splash and loud statement on the trail with a successful few days.
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3. KEY OFFICIAL VISITS TO WATCH
Hudson to Texas Tech is one of the premier official visits to watch this weekend in the Mid-South region. But it's far from the only hotly-contested recruitment featuring a blue chip prospect.
The top prospect in Texas, five-star Duncanville pass rusher Colin Simmons, will check out Alabama. USC is playing host to coveted targets in wide receiver Dre'Lon Miller, linebacker Tyanthony Smith, and offensive tackle Makai Saina. Four-star rusher Taylor Tatum is set to see Oklahoma as the Sooners battle it out with Michigan and USC.
Four-stars Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Dominick McKinley, Terry Bussey and Nigel Smith will join Tatum up in Norman. In Austin, Texas is hosting intriguing Oklahoma pass rusher Daniel Okoye. Newly-minted five-star Justin Williams heads up to Euegne to officially visit Oregon as the Ducks continue to make their push for his pledge.
Official visit season is in full swing as programs work on building their classes and sealing the deal with their top targets on the board. This weekend could go a long way in shaping the recruiting land-scape within the region.
