On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Previewing the weekend commitments

As the number of available prospects have dwindled since the summer, the frequency of blue-chip commitments has followed suit. But as arguably the busiest and most chaotic two months of the recruiting calendar kick off ahead of the Early Signing Period, things are beginning to heat up.

That includes four coveted prospects deciding between some of the country’s top programs over the next few days. With the help of the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), we’ll preview each of the expected announcements.

Friday, Oct. 21

4-star S Marvin Burks Jr.
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 337
On3 RPM: Ole Miss 92.2%, Missouri 3.9%, Texas A&M 1.7%

The Skinny: Burks’ recruitment has had its fair share of twists and turns, but now it’s finally decision time. Ole Miss took the lead over the summer, but Missouri worked hard on the in-state product and got him back on campus in early September for a game. At that point, it was thought the tide had turned to the Tigers. But Ole Miss quietly got him on campus early this month, and the predictions for the Rebels came in soon after. He has given very little away publicly, save for his list of finalists.

2024 4-star CB Kaleb Beasley
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 168
On3 RPM: Tennessee 66.8%, Notre Dame 27.9%

The Skinny: At one point over this summer, the Fighting Irish were trending in a big way for Beasley, one of the top corners in the junior class. However, Tennessee re-took the momentum this fall with unofficial visits in September and October, including the Vols’ last-second win over Alabama last weekend. The Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy star set his commitment date soon after the trip to Knoxville, and all signs point to Tennessee adding another blue-chipper to its 2024 class.

Saturday, Oct. 22

4-star ATH Malachi Coleman
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 70
On3 RPM: Nebraska 99.0%

The Skinny: There has also been no shortage of twists and turns in the recruitment of Coleman, one of the best pure athletes in the country. The home-state Huskers have long been considered the leader for him, but the firing of head coach Scott Frost cast some doubt on that. Coleman was originally scheduled to make official visits to Miami and Oklahoma — and even considered a trip to Ole Miss — but none of them ever materialized. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder is extremely close with interim coach Mickey Joseph, and the Huskers are expected to win out for the No. 1 player in Nebraska.

Sunday, Oct. 23

4-star CB Chris Peal
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 172
On3 RPM: Georgia 96.4%, NC State 1.7%

The Skinny: Peal took official visits to Georgia, Michigan and NC State between June and September, and both the Wolf Pack and the Wolverines made it interesting. But Georgia’s development of defensive backs and Peal’s relationship with the coaching staff have been the strongest of any school he has considered. The Bulldogs look to be in prime contention to add yet another talented defensive back to a loaded 2023 class that ranks No. 2 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.