On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Previewing this weekend's commitments

A little less than two full weeks into July, and commitments are flying and top recruits are coming off the board left and right. Just in the past week alone, more than 60 prospects have committed to Power Four programs.

And it isn’t slowing down any time soon, as some of the nation’s top recruits are set to announce their decisions in the next few days. With the help of the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), we’ll preview each of the expected announcements.

Saturday, July 13

4-star WR Daylan McCutcheon
School: Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy
Industry Ranking: No. 98
On3 RPM: Texas 17.8%, Florida State 15.6%, SMU 11.2%, Ohio State 9.3%

The Skinny: McCutcheon took five official visits in May and June — SMU, Florida State, Texas, Ohio State and USC. He hasn’t given much at all away about who leads ahead of his commitment, but as his decision draws near, On3’s Steve Wiltfong says he likes where the Seminoles are positioned with USC fighting to beat them out.

4-star SAF Jhase Thomas
School: Destrehan (La.)
Industry Ranking: No. 570 (#270 in the On300)
On3 RPM: LSU 96.0%, Ole Miss 1.7%

The Skinny: Coming into the summer, Ole Miss appeared to be the leader in Thomas’ recruitment. However, after an offer from the in-state Tigers, the script flipped quickly and the local school is now expected to land him on Saturday barring any major surprises.

4-star EDGE C.J. May
School: Highland Home (Ala.)
Industry Ranking: No. 303
On3 RPM: Louisville 80.4%, Auburn 5.7%, Tennessee 2.5%

The Skinny: The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is set to announce between Auburn, Louisville, Syracuse and Washington on Saturday. The Cardinals, Orange and Huskies all hosted him for official visits this summer, while the Tigers brought him to campus a few different times for unofficial visits. Heading into decision day, Brian Brohm and Co. are trending, though.

4-star WR Travis Smith
School: Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake
Industry Ranking: No. 81
On3 RPM: Tennessee 54.3%, Georgia 42.2%

The Skinny: Earlier in the summer, UGA looked to be the team to beat for Smith, but it’s the Vols who are trending, according to Wiltfong.

“Tennessee is the program that’s been picking up the buzz this summer,” he said. “One of their top overall targets regardless of position. Coach (Kelsey) Pope, Coach (Joey) Halzle, Coach (Josh) Heupel & Co. have made him feel very comfortable with his fit in the offense and what a priority he is. He went to Knoxville in April, came back for his official visit in June. Tennessee is the program trending for the top-100 pass-catcher.”

4-star WR Quanell Farrakhan Jr.
School: Spring (Texas) North Shore
Industry Ranking: No. 259
On3 RPM: Colorado 90.4%, UCLA 3.5%

The Skinny: At the end of March, Farrakhan named a top three of Alabama, Texas A&M and Nebraska. That was before Colorado jumped in the mix, however. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes offered the wideout at the beginning of May and instantly became a top contender for his commitment. And heading into his decision, they’re the favored landing spot.

4-star Taz Williams Jr.
School: Red Oak (Texas)
Industry Ranking: No. 311
On3 RPM: Michigan 44.4%, Penn State 38.3%, SMU 3.6%

The Skinny: Williams took official visits to SMU, Michigan, Penn State and Texas A&M earlier in the summer. And while the RPM slightly favors the Wolverines, it’s the Nittany Lions who received the most recent pick from Michigan recruiting insider EJ Holland earlier this week.

Sunday, July 14

4-star SAF Rashad Johnson
School: Bushnell (Fla.) South Sumter
Industry Ranking: No. 361
On3 RPM: Georgia 81.6%, Louisville 4.6%, Penn State 3.9%

The Skinny: Johnson made stops at Louisville, Penn State, Georgia and Texas A&M during May and June, but the Bulldogs currently hold the advantage after a couple of expert predictions in their favor.

“My relationships with the coaches, the relationships those coaches have with my coaches and the development part were big things in my decision,” he said of what made the school he’ll choose stand out. “I went over a lot and I looked at the four schools, but one stood out a little more.”