Weekend recruiting buzz: Ten biggest visits on tap
It’s a huge weekend of games and visits around the country as many of the top recruits will be on the road. Here is a look at 10 of the biggest ones.
*****
MORE: Five thoughts on the 2023 QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OL | DEs | DTs | LBs | DBs
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board
*****
DAEVIN HOBBS to Tennessee
Tennessee could have the edge right now for the Concord (N.C.) Robinson four-star defensive end and the electric environment in Knoxville this weekend should only help the Vols even more.
Alabama is also one of his favorites, along with Georgia, so if the Crimson Tide put up a great performance this weekend the visit could backfire a little, but Neyland Stadium should be rocking and Hobbs should see one of the best atmospheres in college football come alive.
*****
JEREMIYAH LOVE to Notre Dame
Is this the weekend Love wraps up his recruitment with a commitment to Notre Dame during his visit to South Bend? That is yet to be determined but the Irish have to like where they stand for the four-star from St. Louis Christian Brothers as they try to hold off numerous SEC teams from stealing him.
A night game in South Bend against a struggling Stanford team might just be enough to tip the scales.
*****
SAMUEL M’PEMBA to Tennessee
Georgia might be too tough to beat in M’Pemba’s recruitment as the Bulldogs look very good here, but the five-star defensive end might change his mind – or have a lot more to think about – following this weekend in Knoxville.
It should be a phenomenal experience for all the recruits there, especially if the Vols keep it close or win the game, as coach Josh Heupel and his staff have clearly made Tennessee football exciting once again.
*****
MALIK MUHAMMAD to Texas
There is talk about Alabama coming in and stealing the high four-star cornerback. There’s some chatter about others as well. So, it’s great news for the Longhorns that the Dallas South Oak Cliff standout is returning to Austin, along with some other important commits and recruits, including five-star quarterback Arch Manning.
A weekend like this can only help reinforce Muhammad's pledge and remind him why the Longhorns won in the first place.
*****
TOMARRION PARKER to Tennessee
Florida was supposed to get a visit from Parker this weekend, but the communication between both sides has slowed down, so Tennessee is the big winner here. The four-star defensive end from Phenix City (Ala.) Central, who had been committed to Penn State, looks to be giving Clemson a slight edge in his recruitment ever since the Tigers offered, but Tennessee is in the game here, too. A thrilling environment inside Neyland Stadium could be compelling. Playing SEC ball could also become a bigger draw, especially after this weekend.
*****
SUNTARINE PERKINS to Ole Miss
The No. 1 player in the Mississippi state rankings, Perkins has been committed to Ole Miss since last November, but Alabama has constantly tried to flip him. The Raleigh, Miss., four-star linebacker was back in Tuscaloosa last weekend, loved his time there for the Crimson Tide’s win over Texas A&M and said it was the best SEC experience he’s had yet.
With all that being said, one week later Perkins returning to Oxford is definitely big, and keeping him locked up is huge for the Rebels.
*****
KEDRICK REESCANO to Ole Miss
Reescano has been committed to Michigan State since January, but a 2-4 record for the Spartans and an outstanding 6-0 start for Ole Miss plus seeing an offense that’s moving the ball at will on the ground has intrigued him to visit Oxford this weekend.
The New Caney, Texas, four-star running back is off to a phenomenal start this season with 1,035 yards and 19 touchdowns, and coach Lane Kiffin’s offense does look like a very easy fit. His pledge to the Spartans still stands, but this is a big visit to Oxford.
*****
JAMES SMITH - Florida
Maybe Alabama is too far ahead here, with Georgia and Auburn there as well, but Florida is getting a big visit from Smith this weekend, and his friend and teammate Jaquavious Russaw is joining him in Gainesville.
The Montgomery (Ala.) Carver standouts are serious about playing together in college, and while it looks like the Crimson Tide lead, Florida has intrigued both for a long time. It should be a phenomenal environment in The Swamp and it could sway Smith to think twice about the Gators.
*****
JAMARION WILCOX - Kentucky
Coach Mark Stoops and his staff smartly targeted Wilcox on Kentucky's running back board early and he's expected in Lexington this weekend as his recruitment picks up and could still go in a variety of ways.
The Wildcats have been there for a long time in the recruitment of the Douglasville (Ga.) South Paulding standout, who's rushed for 1,348 yards and 17 touchdowns in six games this season. After Georgia flipped four-star Roderick Robinson from UCLA, the Bulldogs could take two at the position but it looks more likely now Wilcox ends up elsewhere. A big weekend in Lexington is coming up.
*****
CHRIS TEREK to Notre Dame
The four-star offensive lineman from Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard West remains committed to Wisconsin despite Paul Chryst’s ouster because position coach Bob Bostad has remained on staff. But Notre Dame offered late and he hasn’t had a chance to visit South Bend yet.
He’s going to take that opportunity this weekend to make sure he’s not missing out on a “great opportunity.” More will be known after the weekend, but as of now Terek is locked in with the Badgers.