Rivals Roundtable: Massive visits and even larger video games on deck for Week 3

The third main school soccer Saturday of the season is upon us and our recruiting analysts focus on its affect on recruiting.

Friedman: School Gameday is at South Carolina at the moment for the primary time in years and the Gamecocks have an enormous alternative in entrance of the with a stacked customer record. Crucial customer is unquestionably top-100 receiver Jordon Gidron. The 2026 playmaker is an area prospect South Carolina can’t afford to lose. Shane Beamer’s offense wants extra explosive weapons and Gidron could be simply what the physician ordered.

Garcia: Jake Kruel‘s go to to Oklahoma. The 2026 class has ascended to upperclassman standing and plenty of of those recruitments are in full swing. Kruel has change into one of many premier cross rushers within the class, even in opposition to the nationwide schedule IMG Academy supplies, but Oklahoma is likely one of the packages that jumped in on the junior a lot sooner than most others on his record. The Floridian has lengthy held an affinity for this system each within the Sooner custom and the way he has been personally prioritized longer than most in his class. This return journey, particularly now that this system is within the SEC, might present loads of new perspective in OU changing into a real contender on this nationwide recruitment — for good.

Gorney: There was a lot speak about Elijah Griffin being a Georgia lock, that the Bulldogs are positively going to land the five-star defensive lineman from Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian and whereas Miami and USC spherical out his prime three, Griffin goes to play in Athens. However after years of recruiting Griffin, he nonetheless has not dedicated to the Bulldogs and he is visiting Miami this weekend. I nonetheless suppose Georgia is much and away the strongest however Miami has momentum to start out this season.

Levenson: Texas bringing in arguably its prime remaining goal within the 2025 cycle, Michael Terry, holds some weight. The highest-100 prospect is selecting between Texas, Nebraska, and Oregon, and whereas the Longhorns have lengthy been the chief, Matt Rhule and the Huskers have carried out fairly the job lately promoting the Massive Ten program. Texas has an opportunity to sluggish or fully thwart the momentum with a profitable go to in Austin. The sport ambiance won’t be on par with Terry’s go to to Nebraska’s win over Colorado, however Steve Sarkisian and his employees have an opportunity to make Terry really feel like a precedence and remind him why the Longhorns have lengthy been thought of his chief.

Smith: This go to will seemingly go method beneath the radar as a result of Purdue isn’t near a powerhouse program. However getting 2026 four-star extensive receiver Corey “CJ” Sadler on campus for the matchup with Notre Dame is large. Sadler’s recruitment is a bit more open than regular at this level for a participant of his caliber. That’s as a result of each in-state packages, Michigan and Michigan State, are going via their very own transitions. It presents a novel likelihood for a faculty like Purdue to make an enormous impression.

Spiegelman: Joseph Mbatchou is getting his first have a look at Texas this weekend after gathering a suggestion from the Longhorns a number of days into his senior season at Loganville (Ga.) Grayson Excessive. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman is simply getting in his ft moist and is already breaking via at an astounding clip. Since committing to Florida this summer season, Mbatchou has made a go to again to the Swamp and final week made his technique to Auburn. Texas has been on the forefront in attempting to make a late run at Mbatchou, and he heads to Austin after a colossal victory on the street at Michigan in what ought to be an electrical ambiance at residence. This might get fascinating.

Friedman: It feels just like the media has already written off Florida and Billy Napier however that hasn’t stopped highly-ranked prospects from visiting Gainesville. With a susceptible Texas A&M coming to city, the Gators have an opportunity to point out reputable indicators of life and provides followers and recruits one thing to get enthusiastic about.

Garcia: Florida State is reeling on the sphere and recruiting path alike, and most view Memphis as a reputable Group of 5 program with a shot on the School Soccer Playoff if issues break their method. A powerful Seminole efficiency might go a great distance in the direction of reversing notion after the notable and nationally-televised 0-2 begin. To not point out that is Mike Norvell in opposition to his former program, so one other loss would pile onto what has been a shallow begin to the ACC title protection. The recruiting draw is definitely pretty sturdy in Tallahassee this weekend, too, so even the demeanor of this system and energy of its gamers might doubtlessly make an affect on the long run roster.

Gorney: South Carolina has an outstanding group of holiday makers coming in, the Gamecocks might land some commitments whatever the final result Saturday in opposition to LSU and so they’re coming off a really spectacular efficiency by pounding Kentucky final weekend. A win over the Tigers in Columbia could be big for coach Shane Beamer, for the workforce, for the whole program. With so many elite gamers on the go to record and a assured nice atmosphere at South Carolina, it might take the step ahead.

Levenson: South Carolina has a possibility to stroll away from this weekend with some wins on the path. There are a variety of prospects who’re seemingly on the cusp of probably selecting the Gamecocks and an environment that’s bringing School GameDay to city will definitely assist put a bow on issues. Almost each in-state prime prospect will likely be on faucet for his or her matchup with LSU and a win might jolt the notion of Shane Beamer and his employees. Elite DT Deuce Geralds and CB Samari Matthews are only a small pattern of the extent of expertise making their method into Columbia at the moment.

Smith: Wisconsin. The Badgers have been fairly unimpressive this season regardless of being 2-0. Nevertheless, an enormous take a look at awaits as Alabama involves city. If there may be going to be an opportunity to spring the upset (or play Alabama shut) the time is now. Lots of the Badgers 2025 commitments will likely be on the town. So will key 2026 targets like tight finish Gavin Mueller, offensive sort out Braden Wilmes and linebacker Cincere Johnson. I don’t suppose the Badgers must win to impress the recruits readily available nevertheless it should be aggressive

Spiegelman: South Carolina is bracing for what is likely to be one in every of its greatest recruiting weekends of the autumn. A number of of the Southeast’s finest in 2025 and 2026 are flocking to Columbia, together with a number of notable top-25 prospects like elite DT Deuce Geralds and CB Samari Matthews — a return customer. Maybe much more notably, a number of acquainted targets within the 2026 class are making their method again to campus — specifically four-star WR Jordon Gidron, four-star OL Desmond Inexperienced, four-star TE Jamel Howse, four-star WR Donovan Murph, four-star OT Zyon Guiles, four-star RB Jaylen McGill and four-star OL Malcolm Gaston.

South Carolina is at its finest when it retains its finest expertise in-state. The 2026 class in South Carolina is loaded with blue-chip expertise. A number of of these aforementioned targets have been on campus in July, and an excellent atmosphere in Williams-Brice for the LSU recreation and a robust exhibiting on the sphere might pay dividends down the street.