Rivals Roundtable: Big visits and even bigger games on deck for Week 3

The third major college football Saturday of the season is upon us and our recruiting analysts discuss its impact on recruiting.

Friedman: College Gameday is at South Carolina today for the first time in years and the Gamecocks have a huge opportunity in front of the with a stacked visitor list. The most important visitor is definitely top-100 receiver Jordon Gidron. The 2026 playmaker is a local prospect South Carolina can’t afford to lose. Shane Beamer’s offense needs more explosive weapons and Gidron would be just what the doctor ordered.

Garcia: Jake Kruel’s visit to Oklahoma. The 2026 class has ascended to upperclassman status and many of these recruitments are in full swing. Kruel has become one of the premier pass rushers in the class, even against the national schedule IMG Academy provides, yet Oklahoma is one of the programs that jumped in on the junior much earlier than most others on his list. The Floridian has long held an affinity for the program both in the Sooner tradition and how he has been personally prioritized longer than most in his class. This return trip, especially now that the program is in the SEC, could provide plenty of new perspective in OU becoming a true contender in this national recruitment — for good.

Gorney: There has been so much talk about Elijah Griffin being a Georgia lock, that the Bulldogs are definitely going to land the five-star defensive lineman from Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian and while Miami and USC round out his top three, Griffin is going to play in Athens. But after years of recruiting Griffin, he still has not committed to the Bulldogs and he’s visiting Miami this weekend. I still think Georgia is far and away the strongest but Miami has momentum to start this season.

Levenson: Texas bringing in arguably its top remaining target in the 2025 cycle, Michael Terry, holds some weight. The top-100 prospect is choosing between Texas, Nebraska, and Oregon, and while the Longhorns have long been the leader, Matt Rhule and the Huskers have done quite the job recently selling the Big Ten program. Texas has a chance to slow or completely thwart the momentum with a successful visit in Austin. The game atmosphere will not be on par with Terry’s visit to Nebraska’s win over Colorado, but Steve Sarkisian and his staff have a chance to make Terry feel like a priority and remind him why the Longhorns have long been considered his leader.

Smith: This visit will likely go way under the radar because Purdue isn’t close to a powerhouse program. But getting 2026 four-star wide receiver Corey “CJ” Sadler on campus for the matchup with Notre Dame is huge. Sadler’s recruitment is a little more open than normal at this point for a player of his caliber. That’s because both in-state programs, Michigan and Michigan State, are going through their own transitions. It presents a unique chance for a school like Purdue to make a big impression.

Spiegelman: Joseph Mbatchou is getting his first look at Texas this weekend after collecting an offer from the Longhorns a few days into his senior season at Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman is just getting in his feet wet and is already breaking through at an astounding clip. Since committing to Florida this summer, Mbatchou has made a visit back to the Swamp and last week made his way to Auburn. Texas has been at the forefront in trying to make a late run at Mbatchou, and he heads to Austin after a colossal victory on the road at Michigan in what should be an electric atmosphere at home. This could get interesting.

Friedman: It feels like the media has already written off Florida and Billy Napier but that hasn’t stopped highly-ranked prospects from visiting Gainesville. With a vulnerable Texas A&M coming to town, the Gators have a chance to show legitimate signs of life and give fans and recruits something to get excited about.

Garcia: Florida State is reeling on the field and recruiting trail alike, and most view Memphis as a legitimate Group of Five program with a shot at the College Football Playoff if things break their way. A strong Seminole performance could go a long way towards reversing perception after the notable and nationally-televised 0-2 start. Not to mention this is Mike Norvell against his former program, so another loss would pile onto what has been a shallow start to the ACC title defense. The recruiting draw is actually fairly strong in Tallahassee this weekend, too, so even the demeanor of the program and effort of its players could potentially make an impact on the future roster.

Gorney: South Carolina has a phenomenal group of visitors coming in, the Gamecocks could land some commitments regardless of the outcome Saturday against LSU and they’re coming off a very impressive performance by pounding Kentucky last weekend. A win over the Tigers in Columbia would be huge for coach Shane Beamer, for the team, for the entire program. With so many elite players on the visit list and a guaranteed great environment at South Carolina, it could take the step forward.

Levenson: South Carolina has an opportunity to walk away from this weekend with some wins on the trail. There are a number of prospects who are seemingly on the cusp of potentially choosing the Gamecocks and an atmosphere that is bringing College GameDay to town will certainly help put a bow on things. Nearly every in-state top prospect will be on tap for their matchup with LSU and a win could jolt the perception of Shane Beamer and his staff. Elite DT Deuce Geralds and CB Samari Matthews are just a small sample of the level of talent making their way into Columbia today.

Smith: Wisconsin. The Badgers have been pretty unimpressive this season despite being 2-0. However, a huge test awaits as Alabama comes to town. If there is going to be a chance to spring the upset (or play Alabama close) the time is now. Many of the Badgers 2025 commitments will be in town. So will key 2026 targets like tight end Gavin Mueller, offensive tackle Braden Wilmes and linebacker Cincere Johnson. I don’t think the Badgers have to win to impress the recruits on hand but it must be competitive

Spiegelman: South Carolina is bracing for what might be one of its biggest recruiting weekends of the fall. Several of the Southeast’s best in 2025 and 2026 are flocking to Columbia, including several notable top-25 prospects like elite DT Deuce Geralds and CB Samari Matthews — a return visitor. Perhaps even more notably, several familiar targets in the 2026 class are making their way back to campus — namely four-star WR Jordon Gidron, four-star OL Desmond Green, four-star TE Jamel Howse, four-star WR Donovan Murph, four-star OT Zyon Guiles, four-star RB Jaylen McGill and four-star OL Malcolm Gaston.

South Carolina is at its best when it keeps its best talent in-state. The 2026 class in South Carolina is loaded with blue-chip talent. Several of those aforementioned targets were on campus in July, and a great environment in Williams-Brice for the LSU game and a strong showing on the field could pay dividends down the road.