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 tight end Isaac Nauta (10th in the ESPN 300), who visits Michigan for this weekend's in-state showdown with MSU, Shavar Manuel, who is deciding between Week 7 combatants LSU and Florida, and recent USC decommit Mique Juarez.
2015 Hot Board Archive:
Week 6 Hot Board: Trayvon Mullen, Caleb Kelly, Derrick Brown, Quayshon Alexander
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
Isaac Nauta, TE, 6-4, 237, IMG Academy/Bradenton, FL, ESPN 300 No. 10
Prediction: Georgia
Confidence level: 60 percent
Toughest competition: Michigan
Others in the mix: Alabama, Ole Miss and TCU
After his decommitment from Florida State, Georgia seemed to be the heavy favorite for Nauta. He had been considering USC among the schools listed above, but when coach Steve Sarkisian was fired, Nauta switched his USC visit in favor of Alabama. Michigan is the team to watch to try to beat out Georgia, and Nauta is taking an official visit to Ann Arbor for the Wolverines' game against rival Michigan State this weekend. A good visit coupled with Michigan's fast start to the season could help the Wolverines' chances. -- Tom VanHaaren
Shavar Manuel, DE, 6-4, 280, IMG Academy/Bradenton, FL, ESPN 300 No. 12
Prediction: LSU
Confidence level: 60 percent
Toughest competition: Florida
Others in the mix: Auburn, Florida State
The five-star defensive lineman will officially visit LSU this weekend for its big game against Florida. The visit is significant because the Gators and Tigers appear to be Manuel's top two teams and are battling it out for the No. 3-ranked defensive end in the country. Manuel has built a strong relationship with LSU defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and seeing the Tigers in action will only strengthen LSU's chances of landing him. It also helps that Manuel's high school teammate, Saivion Smith, is an LSU commit. Auburn and FSU are also squarely in the mix for Manuel, but at this point it appears that LSU might have a slight advantage over Florida. -- Derek Tyson
Mique Juarez, OLB, 6-2, 226, North Torrance/Torrance, CA, ESPN 300 No. 45
Prediction: UCLA
Confidence Level: 40 percent
Toughest competition: Oklahoma
Others in the mix: Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, USC, Washington
Juarez officially put his name back on the uncommitted list earlier this week when he announced his decommitment from USC. But truthfully, Juarez had been approaching the recruiting process as an uncommitted prospect for some time following his very early verbal pledge. There is an official visit set to Oklahoma as the Sooners look to make another significant impact in California. But UCLA was always the biggest threat to lure Juarez away from his USC commitment as the linebacker has a terrific relationship with the Bruins staff, and now there is a clear need for someone to step in and replace Myles Jack in that defense. It will be telling once Juarez starts setting up the rest of his official visits and there's likely an outside chance the Trojans could get back into the mix once the coaching situation settles. -- Erik McKinney
Daelin Hayes, Athlete, 6-4, 249, Skyline/Ann Arbor, MI, ESPN 300 No. 229
Prediction: Notre Dame
Confidence level: 40 percent
Toughest competition: Oregon
Others in the mix: Michigan State, Ohio State and LSU
Hayes recently decommitted from USC and promptly scheduled a Notre Dame visit for October 17. Hayes had already taken a visit to see the Irish, and they look to be in good shape with his recruitment. That said, the longer his process goes, the more time there is for another school to move in. As of now Hayes is planning visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan State, Oregon and LSU, but we will have to wait and see how many come to fruition. -- Tom VanHaaren