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Weekend visits: Irish eye several prospects

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With the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, Notre Dame is looking to fill its last few spots in the Class of 2013.
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Playing host to four players this weekend -- with two spots to take -- the Irish will look to make a push on closing the door on this class.
The Irish will be hosting five-star defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes from Placer (Calif.) High, four-star defensive end Kylie Fitts of Redlands (Calif.) East Valley, UCLA commit Deon Hollins Jr. from Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall and three-star tight end Durham Smythe of Belton (Texas) High.
Jake Brown covers recruiting for IrishIllustrated.com and said that he thinks one player could be close to committing.
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"Of the four guys coming in, I think Smythe would be the one to pop this weekend," Brown said. "He grew up a Notre Dame fan and I think has moved far enough up their board that if he wants to commit they would take him."
The No. 15 player at his position, Smythe still has a visit to Michigan scheduled for next weekend and was just at Stanford last week.
Of the remaining players, Brown believes that the Irish staff will be making the strongest push for the highest-rated player: Vanderdoes.
"I don't think he will commit this weekend no matter what," Brown said. "The best case is that the staff really impresses him and sends him back home thinking that this is the best place for him.
"Vanderdoes is the one they really want and after that the philosophy is to take the best player on the board. There are probably two spots left, maybe three depending on the players and if they want to fill the class, this is the best weekend to do it."
Here is the inside scoop on those story lines and more from the big weekend across the country.
Official Visit Weekend Preview: Jan. 25, 2013
ARKANSAS: HawgSports.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. This is the first of two major recruiting weekends for the Razorbacks as the new staff will be hosting 11 players -- none of which are committed to the program. The team will look to flip MarylandClick Here to view this Link. quarterback commit Shane CockerilleClick Here to view this Link., UCLAClick Here to view this Link. commit Kenny LacyClick Here to view this Link., and NevadaClick Here to view this Link. pledge Braxton IsaacClick Here to view this Link.. Also in attendance will be four-star running back Alex CollinsClick Here to view this Link. out of Florida.
AUBURN: AuburnSports.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
CAL: GoldenBearReport.comClick Auburn hosting sevenClick Click Here to view this Link. The recruiting weekend is not finalized for the Tigers as it is not quite confirmed if Mackensie AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. and his brother Mackenro AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. will actually make it to campus. The biggest surprise is that Texas A&MClick Here to view this Link. receiver commit Derrick GriffinClick Here to view this Link. will be on The Plains. Last week the program flipped Aggie commit Tony StevensClick Here to view this Link. and this could be another.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick Auburn hosting sevenClick Click Here to view this Link. The recruiting weekend is not finalized for the Tigers as it is not quite confirmed if Mackensie AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. and his brother Mackenro AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. will actually make it to campus. The biggest surprise is that Texas A&MClick Here to view this Link. receiver commit Derrick GriffinClick Here to view this Link. will be on The Plains. Last week the program flipped Aggie commit Tony StevensClick Here to view this Link. and this could be another.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick Auburn hosting sevenClick Click Here to view this Link. The recruiting weekend is not finalized for the Tigers as it is not quite confirmed if Mackensie AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. and his brother Mackenro AlexanderClick Here to view this Link. will actually make it to campus. The biggest surprise is that Texas A&MClick Here to view this Link. receiver commit Derrick GriffinClick Here to view this Link. will be on The Plains. Last week the program flipped Aggie commit Tony StevensClick Here to view this Link. and this could be another.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
Click Here to view this Link.New coach Sonny DykesClick Here to view this Link. will have plenty of his commitments on campus this weekend with eight players making the trip. The two players on an official that can still be swayed are Raymond DavisonClick Here to view this Link. and Marcus ManleyClick Here to view this Link.. There are rumors that Washington StateClick Here to view this Link. commit Jamal MorrowClick Here to view this Link. might be on campus, but that could not be confirmed. The program may land a few surprise visitors that haven't been let out of the box yet.
FLORIDA STATE: Warchant.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link.
GEORGIA: UGASports.comClick FSU official visitors previewClick The Seminoles hope five-star LB Matthew Thomas visits as expected despite his main recruiter, James Coley, taking a job at Miami on Thursday. Four-star FSU commits WR Isaiah Jones, RB Ryan Green and OL Austin Golson will all be on hand and could help work on four-star WR Jordan Cunningham. Cunningham, the No. 21 WR in the nation, is also looking at Stanford, so FSU will need to sell him on its academics as well. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick FSU official visitors previewClick The Seminoles hope five-star LB Matthew Thomas visits as expected despite his main recruiter, James Coley, taking a job at Miami on Thursday. Four-star FSU commits WR Isaiah Jones, RB Ryan Green and OL Austin Golson will all be on hand and could help work on four-star WR Jordan Cunningham. Cunningham, the No. 21 WR in the nation, is also looking at Stanford, so FSU will need to sell him on its academics as well. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick FSU official visitors previewClick The Seminoles hope five-star LB Matthew Thomas visits as expected despite his main recruiter, James Coley, taking a job at Miami on Thursday. Four-star FSU commits WR Isaiah Jones, RB Ryan Green and OL Austin Golson will all be on hand and could help work on four-star WR Jordan Cunningham. Cunningham, the No. 21 WR in the nation, is also looking at Stanford, so FSU will need to sell him on its academics as well. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
ILLINOIS: OrangeandBlueNews.comClick Adams getting close?Click Click Here to view this Link. A small but important weekend is facing the Dawgs. Two uncommitted five-star players -- linebacker Reuben FosterClick Here to view this Link. and as defensive tackle Montravius AdamsClick Here to view this Link. -- will be in Athens, and Georgia has felt good about its relationship with both. Five-star LB Matthew ThomasClick Here to view this Link. cancelled his trip, but fast rising four-star RB Alvin KamaraClick Here to view this Link. and three-star FSU DE commit Davin BellamyClick Here to view this Link. were late additions.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick Adams getting close?Click Click Here to view this Link. A small but important weekend is facing the Dawgs. Two uncommitted five-star players -- linebacker Reuben FosterClick Here to view this Link. and as defensive tackle Montravius AdamsClick Here to view this Link. -- will be in Athens, and Georgia has felt good about its relationship with both. Five-star LB Matthew ThomasClick Here to view this Link. cancelled his trip, but fast rising four-star RB Alvin KamaraClick Here to view this Link. and three-star FSU DE commit Davin BellamyClick Here to view this Link. were late additions.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick Adams getting close?Click Click Here to view this Link. A small but important weekend is facing the Dawgs. Two uncommitted five-star players -- linebacker Reuben FosterClick Here to view this Link. and as defensive tackle Montravius AdamsClick Here to view this Link. -- will be in Athens, and Georgia has felt good about its relationship with both. Five-star LB Matthew ThomasClick Here to view this Link. cancelled his trip, but fast rising four-star RB Alvin KamaraClick Here to view this Link. and three-star FSU DE commit Davin BellamyClick Here to view this Link. were late additions.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
Click Here to view this Link.The Illini appear to be shifting focus to the Class of 2014, as they are already playing host to a junior day. There are five visitors on the list who stick out and Illini fans should take note of Nile SykesClick Here to view this Link., Dorian HendrixClick Here to view this Link., Darryl LongClick Here to view this Link., Elijah LeeClick Here to view this Link. and Tori MillenderClick Here to view this Link..
KENTUCKY: CatsIllustrated.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
MISSISSIPPI STATE: BulldogBlitz.comClick Four-star safety set to visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A double-digit total of visitors will be headed to Lexington and the Wildcats staff continues to go after other program's pledges. The team will host HoustonClick Here to view this Link. commit Donald GageClick Here to view this Link., NebraskaClick Here to view this Link. pledge Marcus McWilsonClick Here to view this Link., Ole MissClick Here to view this Link. defensive tackle prospect Jarran ReedClick Here to view this Link., TulaneClick Here to view this Link. defensive end Corey SmithClick Here to view this Link. and Florida StateClick Here to view this Link. defensive back Marquez WhiteClick Here to view this Link.. Uncommitted four-star Taj WilliamsClick Here to view this Link. will also be on hand.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick Four-star safety set to visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A double-digit total of visitors will be headed to Lexington and the Wildcats staff continues to go after other program's pledges. The team will host HoustonClick Here to view this Link. commit Donald GageClick Here to view this Link., NebraskaClick Here to view this Link. pledge Marcus McWilsonClick Here to view this Link., Ole MissClick Here to view this Link. defensive tackle prospect Jarran ReedClick Here to view this Link., TulaneClick Here to view this Link. defensive end Corey SmithClick Here to view this Link. and Florida StateClick Here to view this Link. defensive back Marquez WhiteClick Here to view this Link.. Uncommitted four-star Taj WilliamsClick Here to view this Link. will also be on hand.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick Four-star safety set to visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A double-digit total of visitors will be headed to Lexington and the Wildcats staff continues to go after other program's pledges. The team will host HoustonClick Here to view this Link. commit Donald GageClick Here to view this Link., NebraskaClick Here to view this Link. pledge Marcus McWilsonClick Here to view this Link., Ole MissClick Here to view this Link. defensive tackle prospect Jarran ReedClick Here to view this Link., TulaneClick Here to view this Link. defensive end Corey SmithClick Here to view this Link. and Florida StateClick Here to view this Link. defensive back Marquez WhiteClick Here to view this Link.. Uncommitted four-star Taj WilliamsClick Here to view this Link. will also be on hand.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
Click Here to view this Link. A relatively low-drama weekend will be happening in Starkville, especially when contrasted with Oxford. Mississippi State will host eight players, half of whom are already committed. The team will look to flip four-star running back Jonathan FordClick Here to view this Link. from VanderbiltClick Here to view this Link., three-star quarterback Joshua DobbsClick Here to view this Link. from Arizona StateClick Here to view this Link. and make a run at four-stars Jason SmithClick Here to view this Link. and Toby JohnsonClick Here to view this Link..
MISSOURI: PowerMizzou.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. In an otherwise uneventful recruiting season for Missouri, the program has been able to convince long-time Ohio StateClick Here to view this Link. commitment Ezekiel ElliottClick Here to view this Link. to come for a visit. The No. 1 player in the state has been on the Ohio State commit list for almost a full year and would be hard to pry away, especially since he believes he'll compete right away at OSU.
OHIO STATE: BuckeyeGrove.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
OLE MISS: RebelGrove.comClick Clark sets final visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A nearly full class doesn't leave much, but Urban MeyerClick Here to view this Link. still will be recruiting James ClarkClick Here to view this Link. and Dontre WilsonClick Here to view this Link.. The interesting spin on Wilson is that he is an OregonClick Here to view this Link. pledge who might be looking around and Ohio State was quick to jump on him. The Buckeyes had promised Ezekiel ElliottClick Here to view this Link. that he would be the only running back they took this year and this is certainly complicating things at that position.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick Clark sets final visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A nearly full class doesn't leave much, but Urban MeyerClick Here to view this Link. still will be recruiting James ClarkClick Here to view this Link. and Dontre WilsonClick Here to view this Link.. The interesting spin on Wilson is that he is an OregonClick Here to view this Link. pledge who might be looking around and Ohio State was quick to jump on him. The Buckeyes had promised Ezekiel ElliottClick Here to view this Link. that he would be the only running back they took this year and this is certainly complicating things at that position.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick Clark sets final visitClick Click Here to view this Link. A nearly full class doesn't leave much, but Urban MeyerClick Here to view this Link. still will be recruiting James ClarkClick Here to view this Link. and Dontre WilsonClick Here to view this Link.. The interesting spin on Wilson is that he is an OregonClick Here to view this Link. pledge who might be looking around and Ohio State was quick to jump on him. The Buckeyes had promised Ezekiel ElliottClick Here to view this Link. that he would be the only running back they took this year and this is certainly complicating things at that position.Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
TCU: PurpleMenace.comClick Big visit weekendClick Click Here to view this Link. A potential program-changing weekend is looming for Ole Miss. As many as 18 players will be on campus and only five of them are current Rebels. Two five-stars will be in Oxford as offensive tackle Laremy TunsilClick Here to view this Link. will join Robert NkemdicheClick Here to view this Link., who many have long believed is a silent Ole Miss commit. The program will also be courting four-stars Quincy AdeboyejoClick Here to view this Link., Stacy ColeyClick Here to view this Link., Jason CarrClick Here to view this Link., Antonio ConnerClick Here to view this Link., Ira DensonClick Here to view this Link. and Kailo MooreClick Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Visit DatesClick Big visit weekendClick Click Here to view this Link. A potential program-changing weekend is looming for Ole Miss. As many as 18 players will be on campus and only five of them are current Rebels. Two five-stars will be in Oxford as offensive tackle Laremy TunsilClick Here to view this Link. will join Robert NkemdicheClick Here to view this Link., who many have long believed is a silent Ole Miss commit. The program will also be courting four-stars Quincy AdeboyejoClick Here to view this Link., Stacy ColeyClick Here to view this Link., Jason CarrClick Here to view this Link., Antonio ConnerClick Here to view this Link., Ira DensonClick Here to view this Link. and Kailo MooreClick Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. | Commit ListClick Big visit weekendClick Click Here to view this Link. A potential program-changing weekend is looming for Ole Miss. As many as 18 players will be on campus and only five of them are current Rebels. Two five-stars will be in Oxford as offensive tackle Laremy TunsilClick Here to view this Link. will join Robert NkemdicheClick Here to view this Link., who many have long believed is a silent Ole Miss commit. The program will also be courting four-stars Quincy AdeboyejoClick Here to view this Link., Stacy ColeyClick Here to view this Link., Jason CarrClick Here to view this Link., Antonio ConnerClick Here to view this Link., Ira DensonClick Here to view this Link. and Kailo MooreClick Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
Click Here to view this Link. There might be four or five players coming this weekend, but the main two Horned Frogs faithful need to know about are Gaius VaenukuClick Here to view this Link. and Cydney CalvinClick Here to view this Link.. Vaenuku is a three-star defensive end from Euless (Texas) Trinity and Calvin is a three-star cornerback from Frisco (Texas) Centennial. This is the last visit scheduled for both and that could lead to commitments.
TEXAS: OrangeBloods.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. A'Shawn RobinsonClick Here to view this Link. will be a lonely five-star this weekend. The standout defensive lineman is the only player who will be welcomed onto campus in Austin. With the Longhorns class basically finalized, the last push for a nasty defender is on. Robinson was the most intimidating player at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and said he let his play do the talking.
TULSA: InsideTulsaSports.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. Led by four-star commit Rob BoydClick Here to view this Link., Tulsa will host eight players this weekend. The lone player who'll be on campus who is not a current pledge is Isaiah BrownClick Here to view this Link., a three-star defensive back from Katy (Texas) High. Three-star lineman Dalton RodriguezClick Here to view this Link. will be joined by fellow three-stars C.J. GoodenClick Here to view this Link. and Chris HallClick Here to view this Link..
VIRGINIA TECH: HokieHaven.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. The only player visiting Blacksburg who isn't currently on the commit list is Tyrell ChavisClick Here to view this Link.. Chavis is considered a soft commitment to VirginiaClick Here to view this Link. but will make this visit to be sure. The rest of the visitors are all Hokies pledges. Fan favorites Kendall FullerClick Here to view this Link. and Wyatt TellerClick Here to view this Link. will be joined by Bucky HodgesClick Here to view this Link., Andrew MotuapuakaClick Here to view this Link., Charles ClarkClick Here to view this Link., DJ ReidClick Here to view this Link. and Anthony ShegogClick Here to view this Link..
WISCONSIN: BadgerBlitz.com | Visit Dates | Commit List
Click Here to view this Link. Most of the players on campus this weekend will be discussing walk-on opportunities, but there are two uncommitted visitors: Michael JulianClick Here to view this Link. and Leon JacobsClick Here to view this Link.. Jacobs is an unranked linebacker, checking in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. Julian is a two-star quarterback who is 6-5 and 190.
Click Here to view this Link.
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