Rivals Roundtable: Big visit and even bigger game planned for Week 3
As the third Saturday of college football this season approaches, our recruiting analysts discuss the recruiting implications.
1. What was your biggest recruiting visit this weekend?
Friedman: College Game Day South Carolina Today, facing South Carolina for the first time in several years, the Gamecocks have a great opportunity in a loaded opponent pool. The most important one is arguably top 100 receiver Jordan Gidron. A 2026 playmaker, this local prospect is one South Carolina can’t afford to lose. Shane BeamerThe offense needs more explosive weapons, and Guidron fits that bill perfectly.
Garcia: A visit from Jake Cruel OklahomaWith the 2026 class now in its senior year, many of these recruiting efforts are in full swing. Kruell emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the class despite the national schedule offered by IMG Academy, but Oklahoma was one of the programs to land this junior much sooner than most other teams. A Florida native, Kruell has long felt close to the program, both for the Sooner tradition and for having been a personal priority for longer than most in the class. This return, especially now that the program is in the SEC, will provide many new perspectives for OU to become a true contender in this national recruiting effort.
Gorny: Elijah Griffin Georgia Locke, the Bulldogs will no doubt land the five-star defensive lineman from Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian, and Miami and U.S.C. Griffin rounds out the top three, but is scheduled to play in Athens. But despite years of recruiting him, he has yet to commit to the Bulldogs and is scheduled to visit Miami this weekend. I still think Georgia is the overwhelming favorite, but Miami has momentum heading into this season.
Levenson: Texas Acquiring Michael Terry, arguably the biggest target in the 2025 cycle, carries some weight. Top 100 prospects include Texas, NebraskaOregon, where the Longhorns have long been leaders, Matt Ruhle The Huskers have been pretty successful at promoting themselves as a Big Ten program lately, and Texas has a chance to slow down or completely thwart their momentum with a successful visit to Austin. The atmosphere at the game won’t be the same as Terry’s win over Nebraska. Coloradobut Steve Sarkisian He and his staff have the opportunity to make Terry feel like he comes first and remind him why the Longhorns have long viewed him as a leader.
Smith: This visit probably won’t get much attention because Purdue It’s far from a powerhouse program, but it did welcome 2026 four-star wide receiver Corey “CJ” Sadler to campus. Notre Dame There’s a big difference. Sadler’s recruitment is a little more open than normal at this point for a player of his caliber. That’s because of the in-state programs, Michigan and Michigan State Universityeach undergoing its own transformation – a unique opportunity for a university like Purdue to make a big impression.
Spiegelman: Joseph Mbatyu will see Texas for the first time this weekend after receiving his Longhorns offer just days into his senior season at Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High School. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman is still getting acclimated to the team but is already breaking out at an incredible pace. Florida Mbatu has visited the Swamp again this summer, traveling to Auburn last week. Texas is a front-runner in the pursuit of Mbatu, and he’ll head to Austin for a home win after a big road win at Michigan. That could be an interesting development.
2. Which program can benefit most from a big win this weekend in recruiting efforts?
Friedman: The media seems to have given up on Florida already. Billy Napier But that hasn’t stopped highly ranked prospects from visiting Gainesville. Texas A&M With the Gators coming to town, they’ll have a chance to show some real energy and get fans and freshmen excited.
Garcia: Florida There is confusion both on the field and in the recruiting process, and most Memphis A strong performance from the Seminoles would go a long way to overturn the perception following a high-profile, nationally televised 0-2 start as a legitimate Group of Five program that could make the College Football Playoff if things turn around. Needless to say, this Mike Norvell Another loss would add to the shallow start to the ACC title defense, especially since it will be against his former team. There will also be a lot of freshman recruiting going on in Tallahassee this weekend, so the atmosphere and even the effort put in by the players could impact the future roster.
Gorny: South Carolina has a phenomenal group of visitors coming in and the Gamecocks could land some commitments regardless of Saturday’s outcome. LSU They put in a very impressive performance, Kentucky A win over the Tigers in Columbia this weekend would mean a lot to coach Shane Beamer, the team and the program as a whole. With a host of top-tier players on the visiting list and a guaranteed great environment in South Carolina, a win could help them move forward.
Levenson: South Carolina has a chance to pick up some wins this weekend. There are several top prospects increasingly likely to pick the Gamecocks, and the atmosphere that brings College GameDay to town will certainly help close things out. Nearly all of the state’s top prospects are scheduled to play against LSU, and a win could shake up perceptions of South Carolina. Shane Beamer and his staff. Elite DT Deuce Gerard and CB Samari Matthews are just a few examples of the talent coming to Columbia today.
Smith: Wisconsin: The Badgers haven’t had much of a notable record this season, despite being 2-0, but a big test awaits. Alabama They’re coming to town. If there’s any chance to pull off an upset (or play a close game against Alabama), now’s the time. Many of the Badgers’ 2025 contract players are coming to town, as are some of their top 2026 targets, including tight end Gavin Mueller, offensive tackle Brayden Wilmeth and linebacker Sincere Johnson. I don’t think the Badgers need to win to impress the freshmen, but they do have to be competitive.
Spiegelman: South Carolina is preparing for what could be one of the biggest recruiting weekends this fall. The Southeast’s best 2025 and 2026 players are flocking to Columbia, including several notable top-25 prospects such as elite DT Deuce Gerard and CB Samari Matthews (returning). Perhaps even more notable is the return of several familiar targets to campus from the 2026 class, including four-star WR Jordan Gidron, four-star OL Desmond Green, four-star TE Jamel Howes, four-star WR Donovan Murff, four-star OT Zion Giles, four-star RB Jalen McGill and four-star OL Malcolm Gaston.
South Carolina is at its best if it can keep its talent in-state, and South Carolina’s 2026 class is loaded with top-notch talent. Several of the aforementioned targets were on campus in July, and the great environment at Williams-Brice and strong performance on the field against LSU could pay dividends down the road.
