June has ushered in the return of campus visits, and recruits are touring colleges for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold more than a year ago.
This week in I Got Five On It, Rivals’ Rob Cassidy celebrates the return of official visits by examining the five most important ones to take place this month.
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Florida Man: Notes from the road; FutureCast for a blueblood
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2022 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2023 Rankings: Top 30
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1. KEYONTE GEORGE TO TEXAS
When it happened: June 5
Why it was important: Texas and Texas Tech were considered co-leaders of sorts before the program’s respective coaching changes, so when the Longhorns landed Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard, UT seemed like a tailor made situation for the five-star guard. George’s official to Austin felt a lot like a trip to confirm the ideas he already had about the Texas program under its new but familiar head coach. The star guard returned from the trip talking about how close the players were and how Beard interacted with them.
Chances he lands with the Longhorns: Pretty damn high. You hate to use the word “lock” in recruiting because the trail is chaotic as things come. Still, barring a school making a sudden late move, Beard and company should feel optimistic.
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2. DARIQ WHITEHEAD TO DUKE
When it happened: June 11
Why it was important: The Blue Devils made things official with a scholarship offer on June 9 and wasted no time getting Whitehead on campus after doing so. Whitehead grew up a Blue Devil fan and has long been high on the program. Getting him on campus early seems especially notable given the fact that the program is now charged with the task of putting the minds of recruits at ease when it comes to the succession plan between Mike Krzyzewski and head coach in waiting Jon Scheyer.
Chances he lands with the Blue Devils: “More likely than not” seems like an apt description. That said, it’s early, so who knows? Everything seems to point to Duke landing the five-star wing as things stand, but it’s hard to be totally confident things won’t change for one reason or another in the months ahead.
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3. SETH TRIMBLE TO NORTH CAROLINA
When it happened: June 16
Why it was important: Well, mostly because it directly resulted in a commitment. That said, it was vital that the Tar Heels staff make an impact on Trimble, who was seriously considering red hot Michigan in the months leading into his visit to Chapel Hill. Early returns for a new head coach are always important because of the microscope they operate under, and quickly sealing the deal after a visit is a good way to make a statement. Trimble’s brother, former North Carolina standout J.P. Tokoto accompanied him on the visit, which certainly helped Hubert Davis put his new commit at ease.
Chances he lands with the Tar Heels: Let’s say 99 percent. Trimble committed to the Tar Heels on Wednesday, just a handful of days after his visit wrapped up. There’s no reason to think he’ll waver on his pledge.
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4. CHRIS LIVINGSTON TO KENTUCKY
When it happened: June 18
Why it was important: Livingston is clearly a priority target for the Wildcats, as he became one of the first visitors John Calipari’s program hosted post-pandemic. The Wildcats sit comfortably in the five-star forward’s top 11, so the trip to Lexington was a perfect opportunity for the Wildcats to separate themselves from the pack. Livingston has long been intrigued by Kentucky's history with one-and-done players, as he sees himself as one of those should he elect to go the college route. The tour simply allowed Livingston and his family to see the legacy on that front in person.
Chances he lands with the Wildcats: This seems like a bit of a crapshoot at this juncture because Memphis is also a serious player, and Kansas sits on the periphery. The pro rote is also an option to some extent. It seems safe to say that the Wildcats will be in the thick of the race until the end, but anything more presumptuous than that is a bit of a reach at this point.
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5. JALEN DUREN TO MIAMI
When it happened: June 14
Why it was important: The Hurricanes' climb up the ranks of Duren’s pecking order has been something to behold. First, the top prospect’s former grassroots coach DJ Irving landed in Coral Gables as an assistant. Then, rumors about a possible reclassification to 2021 began to swirl. The reclassification buzz combined with the fact that Duren is taking campus visits could suggest the five-star big is mulling a stint in college more seriously than he was a few months back. Whatever the case, the visit made it clear that Miami has put itself in as good a spot as any other program.
Chances he lands with the Hurricanes: It certainly doesn’t feel as unlikely as it once did, but Miami still has an uphill fight on its hands. The professional route is still a very real threat here, as even if a reclassification takes place that doesn’t necessarily spell college. There are people ready to hand Duren a giant pile of cash to skip college. Balking at such a thing is difficult to do.
