Each Friday during college football season the experts at Recruiting Nation will weigh in on the probable destinations of a selection of the nation's top uncommitted prospects. This week's selections include a few whose commitments are at stake in the Alabama/Ole Miss (Mack Wilson, Ben Davis and Terrell Hall) and Auburn/LSU battles (Rashard Lawrence, Stephen Sullivan).
MORE: Week 2 Hot Board: Antwuan Jackson Jr., Mecole Hardman, Jordan Elliott
Rashard Lawrence, DT, 6-3, 309, Neville/Monroe, LA, ESPN 300 No. 7
Prediction: LSU
Confidence level: 70 percent
Toughest competition: Alabama
Others in the mix: Ohio State, Washington and UCLA
The five-star defensive tackle is expected to be the highest-rated prospect to attend LSU's home game against Auburn this Saturday and the Tigers -- LSU, that is -- have positioned themselves as the front-runners for this big-time defensive lineman. Alabama will be the main competition, and Nick Saban has never been afraid to go into Louisiana for big-time prospects (see: Cam Robinson).
In addition to the game this weekend, Lawrence is also in the process of setting up official visits to Ohio State, Washington and UCLA. It's no secret that Urban Meyer and Jim Mora have been unafraid to go head-to-head with any other team in the country for elite prospects. Though there is still a long time until national signing day, it does appear that LSU has the advantage for Lawrence. -- Derek Tyson
Stephen Sullivan, WR, 6-5, 230, Donaldsonville/Donaldsonville, LA, ESPN 300 No. 73
Prediction: TCU
Confidence level: 40 percent
Toughest competition: LSU
Others in the mix: Florida State, Auburn and Mississippi State
This one-time LSU commit backed off of his pledge to the Tigers after being a part of the program's 2016 commit list for over a year-and-a-half. The appeal of TCU's vaunted passing attack has caught the attention of the physical receiver who totaled 57 receptions for 987 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
Sullivan announced this week that his first official visit would be to Florida State on Oct. 17. Sullivan has yet to name any other visits, but it does appear that LSU and TCU will most assuredly receive official visits. There's still a long way to go in Sullivan's recruitment, and his official visits could carry a lot of weight, but if signing day was today, TCU would probably hold a slight advantage. LSU, however, is still very much in the picture and a big win over Auburn this weekend could help improve its stock with the talented pass-catcher. -- Derek Tyson
Ben Davis, OLB, 6-4, 237, Gordo/Gordo, AL ESPN 300 No. 54
Prediction: Alabama
Confidence level: 80 percent
Toughest competition: Auburn
Others in the mix: Florida State, Notre Dame, Georgia and LSU
Davis is one of the most sought-after linebackers in the country, and even though Alabama appears to have a clear edge for the talented prospect, others are still in the mix. The four-star linebacker is planning to take official visits to Florida State, Notre Dame, Georgia and Alabama.
In addition to the official visits Davis will take a number of unofficial visits.
"I'm going to the LSU and Arkansas game," Davis said Thursday. "I plan on going to the Georgia against Missouri game, Florida State vs. Miami and Alabama vs. Auburn. I'm also going to the Alabama and Ole Miss game this weekend."
As mentioned, Alabama looks like the favorite, but with a planned national signing day announcement and so many visits on the docket, anything is possible. Derek Tyson
Lyndell "Mack" Wilson, OLB, 6-2, 236, Carver/Montgomery, AL, ESPN 300 No. 14
Prediction: Alabama
Confidence level: 80 percent
Toughest competition: Auburn
Others in the mix: Florida, Louisville and Florida State
Much like with Davis, Alabama appears to be the clear leader for the five-star linebacker. There is no question that Auburn -- especially with Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator -- will be the biggest competition to the Crimson Tide. Other teams such as Florida, Louisville and Florida State have been mentioned as possible visit locations, but at this point, it would be a major shock if Wilson chose any school other than Alabama.
Though Wilson hasn't announced his official visits yet, he will be in attendance for Alabama's game against Ole Miss this weekend and judging by some of the photos and tweets he has sent via social media, it looks as if the Alabama is certainly the team to beat. -- Derek Tyson
Got BAMA over Ole Miss Saturday .. 🐘 pic.twitter.com/xrcdX87cGZ
— Signing Day ™ (@Iam__MW3) September 16, 2015
Terrell Hall, DE, 6-6, 254, Saint John's/Washington, DC ESPN 300 No. 167
Prediction: Alabama
Confidence level: 60 percent
Toughest competition: Florida
Others in the mix: Florida State, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas A&M and UCLA
Not only is Hall one of the most improved players in the country from his junior to senior seasons, but he is also become one of the most highly sought defensive ends nationally in a loaded 2016 class of defensive linemen. The former Ohio State verbal is scheduled to be in Tuscaloosa this weekend to check out the school, and people close to the St. John's College High program believe the Tide have emerged as the favorite.
On September 15, Hall informed RecruitingNation of his future visit plans.
"Right now, the main schools that have been recruiting me are Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Texas A&M, UCLA, Tennessee -- those are probably the top guys that have been consistently hitting me up. I know I'm getting to Bama this weekend, Tennessee wants me to set up an official, I will visit Florida when they play Tennessee and I will probably take an official visit to Texas A&M after the season. After that, I will probably take a visit to Florida State, but I'm not sure of the last two visits."
The main competition for the Crimson Tide is coming from the Sunshine State, with both Florida and Florida State in hot pursuit. Tennessee and Texas A&M should not be discounted, assuming both receive official visits. St. John's College tight end (and Hall's good friend) Devante Brooks is committed to the Volunteers, and the Aggies also have the nation's top defensive end, Myles Garrett, and new defensive coordinator John Chavis as a calling card. While Maryland has new-found momentum in the area due to the commitment of quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr., the Terrapins are currently on the outside looking in. -- Gerry Hamilton
Nigel Knott, CB, 5-11, 174, Germantown/Madison, MS, ESPN 300 No. 39
Prediction: Oregon
Confidence level: 40 percent
Toughest competition: Alabama
Others in the mix: Florida State, Ole Miss
Nigel Knott will have all eyes on him for several days, as the nation's No. 39 prospect will take an official visit to Oregon this weekend, then announce his commitment during his Under Armour All-America Game jersey presentation this coming Wednesday.
While Alabama might be the leader at this point, it's never wise to count out Oregon when the Ducks can make the final impression before a commitment. Oregon was a dream school of sorts for Knott, as he worked hard for an offer from the Ducks. An official visit to Oregon can do wonders for the Ducks staff in the pursuit of a highly-recruited prospect.
However, no matter which program receives the commitment on Wednesday, Knott's recruitment is likely far from over, as he is looking to take all five official visits. In the end, it could be difficult for whatever program that lands Knott's commitment next week to hold onto it and that's especially true if it's Oregon, as a number of other programs closer to home will be able to take a shot at flipping him. -- Erik McKinney