Weekend recruiting buzz: Ten biggest visits on tap

There are big games all across the country this weekend, but the biggest and most-crucial visits are concentrated to a few schools. Here is a look at the 10 visits we’re watching most closely heading into the weekend.

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Akana has length, playmaking ability, instincts and everything one looks for in an outside linebacker. with his recruitment still possibly going in many different directions, a big visit to LSU is happening this weekend.

SEC schools, Texas and others are all involved with the Lehi (Utah) Skyridge standout, and with the big matchup against Tennessee this weekend, Baton Rouge should be a sight to see, even with the early kickoff.

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The four-star defensive end from Gardendale, Ala., surprised a lot of people in mid-August when he picked Florida over Alabama. Collins is an in-state kid whose family reportedly likes Alabama a lot, and defensive line is a position of need in Tuscaloosa.

But the Gators won out for his services as the four-star likes coach Billy Napier, position coach Sean Spencer and all the love he received from that new coaching staff. But he’s back at Alabama this weekend, so it’s definitely a trip worth watching over the next few days.

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Ohio State has made up serious ground in Keeley’s recruitment as the five-star defensive end visited the Buckeyes for their big win over Notre Dame and then returned for a second trip when Wisconsin came to Columbus. That shows a level of seriousness and not just some cursory look at the program.

But when the Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep standout decommitted from Notre Dame it was believed Alabama was the reason and that he would end up there. Well, Keeley takes his official visit this weekend, and the Crimson Tide should still like their position in his recruitment.

M’Pemba was back in the St. Louis area last weekend as Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy had a bye and Hurricane Ian hit Florida, so he took in Georgia’s close win over Missouri in Columbia.

That performance could have actually helped the Tigers a little bit in his recruitment, but it still looks like Georgia is far and away the frontrunner for his services. The five-star defensive end will be back in Athens this weekend with an all-star group of prospects, and that cannot hurt Georgia’s chances to end up landing him.

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There have been rumors dating back to the spring that Perkins was going to flip to Alabama, that his family were Crimson Tide fans and that it was inevitable that the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi would flip from Ole Miss. But it has not happened yet and a lot of the flip talk has died down in recent months, especially with the Rebels also playing so well.

However, Perkins will be back in Tuscaloosa this weekend for the big Texas A&M matchup, and it’s something to closely monitor since the environment should be outstanding.

The four-star defensive end from Cypress (Texas) Cypress Ranch committed to Northwestern in June and it was a major recruiting victory for coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff going into Texas for someone so highly ranked. Porter joined his cousin, Justin Cryer, in the recruiting class and everything looked great.

But now Porter is taking a visit to Michigan State this weekend and the Spartans are hoping to flip him. While the Spartans’ season is off to a disappointing start Northwestern is worse at 1-4, so it’s something to watch.

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USC and Georgia seem to have a significant edge right now for the No. 1 tight end in the nation, but visits to Alabama and Texas are also supposed to happen before the Phoenix Pinnacle standout makes his decision. Robinson is picking an excellent weekend to be in Tuscaloosa and one wonders whether he’ll be pitched as the next OJ Howard for the Crimson Tide.

That could be a compelling case. Robinson loved his trip to Georgia and how it uses the tight ends, and he’s really comfortable with everything USC has to offer, too. It will be a big weekend for him to figure out where Alabama stands.

The four-star UCLA commit who’s having an absolutely phenomenal senior season got a taste of SEC football when he visited Texas A&M a few weeks ago - and he absolutely loved that trip to College Station. Now the San Diego Lincoln standout is back on the road to Georgia to see the Bulldogs take on Auburn in what should be another raucous environment.

Robinson has stayed steadfast in his Bruins commitment, but after this trip to Athens he could sit down and figure out exactly what he wants to do moving forward.

Sanders is a 2025 prospect, so there is still significant time left in his recruitment, but this is an important visit to Georgia because the Bulldogs are believed to be one of the early leading contenders. Trips like this can establish a frontrunner status, especially for someone like the Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day offensive tackle who is being pursued by so many schools right now.

The Carolina schools will all be involved, Georgia is very much in the mix and this trip to Athens will be important.

There are others involved, but this could end up being a Georgia vs. Alabama battle for one of the top defensive ends in the nation, and he’ll be in Athens this weekend. This one is too close to call, so a great weekend in Athens - and a dominant performance against an average Auburn offense - could be a major selling point for the Venice, Fla., standout.

Ohio State and others are in the mix, but this should come down to the Bulldogs or the Crimson Tide.