Weekend visit preview: No. 1 recruit Arch Manning set for Georgia visit

On3 imageby:Jeremy Crabtree•03/17/22•

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Now that the dead period is in the rearview mirror, top prospects in the 2023 and 2024 classes are wasting little time getting back on the road taking visits.

Last weekend was somewhat down from a visit standpoint because of spring break. But that won’t be the case this weekend for some schools. The third weekend in March is quickly shaping up as one of the biggest of the spring, and it’s highlighted by Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Arch Manning’s visit to Athens.

On3 previews the top recruiting trips scheduled for the weekend and breaks down the most important visits.

Next stop on Arch Manning tour: Georgia

New Orleans Isidore Newman Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Arch Manning will be at Georgia on Friday, On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons reported earlier this week.

It is Manning’s first visit of the 2022 calendar year. Manning is also scheduled to visit Texas later this month.

The Bulldogs are currently sitting in third place in the race for Manning, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The On3 RPM gives Georgia an 11.5% chance to end up with Manning, compared to 41.2% for Alabama and 36.3% for the Longhorns.

However, Jake Reuse of On3’s DawgsHQ says the Dawgs are definitely in the thick of things with Manning.

“We’ve heard the buzz around Alabama and Texas, and we do believe it to be legitimate,” Reuse said. “What we also believe to be legitimate is that Manning isn’t putting visits in just for the sake of doing it.

“From what we’re hearing the Dawgs in no way believe they are out of this recruitment, and this weekend will likely be a much clearer window into just how things may take shape moving forward.”

For more on Manning’s visit to UGA, be sure to check out the coverage from On3’s DawgsHQ.

Auburn hosts ‘biggest recruiting weekend’ in Harsin era

On Saturday, Auburn will hold arguably the biggest recruiting day of the Bryan Harsin era.

“Several of Auburn’s top targets in the 2023 class are expected to visit, the majority of which are four-star recruits,” said Jeffrey Lee of On3’s Auburn Live.

On offense, four-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina will be there. So will four-star running back Jeremiah Cobb and four-star tight end Jelani Thurman.

And then there are the offensive linemen, a group expected to feature three four-star tackles in Bo Hughley, Stanton Ramil and Clay Wedin, as well as three-star tackles Connor Lew and Connor Stroh and interior line commitment Bradyn Joiner. Three-star tight end Reid Mikeska from Texas also plans to visit.

The list on defense is just as impressive.

Up front, four-star tackles T.J. Searcy, Darron Reed and Kayden McDonald are expected to be in Auburn. Four-star defensive back Terrance Love is, too, as is his three-star tackle teammate, Joshua Horton.

“In all, around 25 recruits are expected to be in Auburn on Saturday,” Lee said. “They’ll meet with the coaches, get a better feel for the program and the new vision under Harsin, and watch practice.

“It’s a big day, for sure.”

For more on the Tigers’ big visit weekend, be sure to check out the coverage from On3’s Auburn Live.

5 star Dante Moore highlights Florida visit weekend

Detroit Martin Luther King five-star quarterback Dante Moore is a key name on the Florida Gators’ visit weekend list. As of Thursday morning, there is still a little uncertainty about whether or not he’ll make it to Gainesville. But if he does, it could be the opportunity the Gators need to make a move in his recruitment, said Corey Bender of On3’s GatorsOnline.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida is way down the list for Moore. The On3 RPM lists Notre Dame with a 64.4% chance of landing Moore, followed by Michigan at 23.1%. But getting him to campus could definitely shift the momentum, Bender said.

Moore is ranked as a five-star and the No. 15 player in the country, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Richard Young, the nation’s No. 1 running back, is also scheduled to be in Gainesville for a visit. Young is a priority target for the Gators. But Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia currently are the favorites, per the On3 RPM.

“Cedric Baxter Jr. and Treyaun Webb are the most realistic additions at running back,” Bender said. “However, that does not mean the staff isn’t going all-in for Young as well. This first meeting with Billy Napier‘s staff will go a long way in terms of where the Gators fall into Young’s recruitment going forward.”

Some quality offensive line targets are also set to visit Florida this weekend for multiday visits, including top-five offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and four-star offensive tackle Wilkin Formby. Four-star offensive lineman Roderick Kearney is also believed to be coming to town for a visit. UF is battling Florida State for his commitment.

Other expected UF visitors:

For more on Florida’s big visit weekend, be sure to check out the coverage from On3’s GatorsOnline.

5-star Shelton Sampson set to visit FSU

For the bulk of Shelton Sampson Jr.’s recruitment, the five-star wide receiver has been linked to a handful of SEC teams. Afterall, the Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic star has frequented LSU’s campus with other unofficial visits to Alabama and Texas A&M in the books. However, Sampson will make his first-ever visit to Florida State for a two-day stop on Friday and Saturday, multiple sources told On3’s Sam Spiegelman.

Another top receiver expected at FSU is Jalen Brown. He’ll make the trip to Tallahassee after spending Friday in Gainesville.

“I’m looking forward to chopping it up with the coaches and seeing some things,” Brown said earlier this week. “I’ve seen everything I need to see at Florida State already. I’ve been there a ton of times, so I just want to show my face and talk to the staff.”

Another important visitor for FSU this weekend will be IMG Academy star cornerback Desmond Ricks, who ranks as the No. 2 player in the 2024 class. FSU was the fifth program to offer Ricks a scholarship back in August of 2020. Ricks, who is originally from Virginia, has visited N.C. State, North Carolina and Florida at different points over the last year.

Ricks, Brown and Sampson won’t be the only impact visitor at Florida State this weekend.

The Noles are also expected to host four-star 2024 receiver Zion Ragins on Sunday for an unofficial visit. Ragins, who is from Gray (Ga.) Jones County, has a long, long offer list already and is ranked as the No. 41 overall player in the country, according to the On3 Consensus.

4-star ATH Samuel M’Pemba set for 2 Midwest trips

After visiting Missouri on Tuesday, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star athlete Samuel M’Pemba is expected to be at Michigan on Saturday and then Notre Dame on Sunday. M’Pemba is originally from the St. Louis area, and Mizzou, Michigan and Notre Dame were among the top 12 schools on his list earlier in the year.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Notre Dame currently leads with a 47.3% chance of landing M’Pemba. Missouri is listed at 15.9%, while Michigan is at 2.9%.

M’Pemba was at Florida last weekend, and he said the Gators definitely improved their standing. The On3 RPM says Florida has an 8.2% chance at this point.

Major couple days of visits for Notre Dame

It’s quality over quantity recruiting weekend for Notre Dame, and it starts on Thursday, which is also the Irish’s first day of spring football.

On Thursday, notable 2023 targets in St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers four-star running back Jeremiyah Love and West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West four-star safety Malik Hartford will get their first look at South Bend. Love’s teammate, class of 2024 Jeremiah McClellan, will also be on campus, and he’s expected to land an offer from Notre Dame while on campus. IMG Academy four-star 2023 EDGE Cameron Lenhardt is visiting Notre Dame, too, and is on offer watch.

Over the weekend, the Irish host M’Pemba, Del Valle (Texas) High four-star receiver Braylon James and Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab four-star linebacker Jaiden Ausberry.

“Notre Dame would be over the moon to land any of these prospects,” said Mike Singer of On3’s BlueandGold.com said. “We are especially keeping a close eye on James.”

For more on Notre Dame’s visit weekend, be sure to check out the coverage from On3’s BlueandGold.com.