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 two players coveted by surging Michigan -- Caleb Kelly and Quayshon Alexander -- Trayvon Mullen, who will be a visitor for Florida State/Miami (FL) this week, as well as Derrick Brown, an important guest for Saturday Georgia/Tennessee contest.
2015 Hot Board Archive:
Week 5 Hot Board: Rahshaun Smith, Demetris Robertson, Jacob Mathis
Week 4 Hot Board: Devin Asiasi, Devin Duvernay, Tyrie Cleveland
Week 3 Hot Board: Mack Wilson, Ben Davis, Terrell Hall, Rashard Lawrence, Stephen Sullivan
Week 2 Hot Board: Antwuan Jackson Jr., Mecole Hardman, Jordan Elliott
Trayvon Mullen, CB, 6-2, 170, Coconut Creek/Coconut Creek, FL, ESPN 300 No. 19
Prediction: Florida State
Confidence level: 60 percent
Toughest competition: LSU
Others in the mix: Clemson, Ohio State, others
If there is a singular "must get" recruit remaining in the class of 2016 for Florida State, it's Mullen. Good news Seminoles fans, Mullen is leaning to being in Tallahassee for the next three or four years. Mullen is scheduled to be on campus this weekend unofficially with an official visit still to come. Getting Mullen's mom on campus late in the summer was big for Jimbo Fisher and staff. Early in the spring, LSU had moved to the front of the pack in the race for the nation's No. 2-ranked cornerback. But the Tigers are loaded with young defensive backs. Kevin Toliver has one starting corner spot locked down the next two-and-a-half seasons, and there is more talent on campus at the position. In the 2016 class, there are two talented commitments in the fold in Saivion Smith and Andraez Williams. The depth in numbers at the position could make it tough for LSU to beat out Florida State. Clemson will also likely receive an official visit, as well as two other schools. Closeness to home, opportunity to play along with feeling the non-stop love from the Florida State staff should be enough to push the Seminoles across the finish line come national signing day. -- Gerry Hamilton
Caleb Kelly, OLB, 6-3, 222, Clovis West/Fresno, CA, ESPN 300 No. 62
Prediction: Oklahoma
Confidence level: 40 percent
Toughest competition: Michigan
Others in the mix: Oregon, Stanford, Texas, USC
Though Stanford and USC were a part of Kelly's top seven schools, the nation's No. 7 outside linebacker has had his gaze seemingly set outside California's borders since the beginning of his recruitment. Kelly has taken an official visit to Michigan and said he very much enjoyed it. He'll head up to Oregon as part of a huge official visit weekend for the Ducks. But the trip worth watching is the one he's scheduled to take to Oklahoma In November. The Sooners have established a strong pipeline into the Fresno area with graduate assistant Courtney Viney and have signed Hatari Byrd, L.J. Moore and Michiah Quick in recent years. Kelly could be the next to head to Norman, as he said Oklahoma built a very strong early connection and will be there until the end. -- Erik McKinney
Derr
ick Brown, DT, 6-4, 322 Lanier/Sugar Hill, GA, ESPN 300 No. 17
Prediction: Georgia
Confidence level: 80-percent
Toughest competition: Tennessee
Others in the mix: Auburn
Derrick Brown is one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the 2016 recruiting class. Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn are all in contention, but the Bulldogs appear to have the advantage at this point. Brown visited Georgia last weekend and will take an unofficial visit to Tennessee this weekend for the Vols game against Georgia. It will give the four-star prospect a chance to evaluate both programs a little more closely. Because this will be an unofficial visit, look for Brown to set up an official visit to Tennessee after the season concludes. For Tennessee, this is a great chance to make a strong impression on the sixth-ranked defensive tackle in the country. For Georgia, the Bulldogs could strengthen their lead with a big road victory over the Volunteers. -- Derek Tyson
Quayshon Alexander, DE, 6-2, 225, DePaul Catholic/Wayne, NJ, ESPN No. 293
Prediction: Nebraska
Confidence level: 20 percent
Confidence level: Michigan
Confidence level: Pitt
The only reason this prediction is still Nebraska is because the prediction is being made before his Michigan visit. Alexander took his visit to Nebraska recently and came away happy with his commitment to the Huskers. That hasn't stopped him from taking visits, though, and the Michigan trip was only recently set in place. That means that there is legitimate interest in what the Wolverines have to offer and if this official visit to Michigan goes well, it could tip Alexander in their favor. -- Tom VanHaaren