Kickoff Week Hot Board: Predictions for the nation's top recruits

— -- Each Friday during college football season, the experts at RecruitingNation will weigh in on the probable destinations of a selection of the nation's top uncommitted prospects. Kickoff Week could go down as the best opening weekend in college football history. These recruiting battles, already raging, feature some of the country's very best high school players. ?

Trey Smith?|?OT, 6-6, 299, University School/Jackson, Tennessee, ESPN 300 No. 1

Prediction: Tennessee
Confidence level: 60 percent
Toughest competition: Ole Miss
Others in the mix: Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame

The top-ranked player in the ESPN 300 narrowed his decision to six schools in July. Smith, a Tennessee native, has visited the home-state Volunteers as well as Ole Miss multiple times over the past few months. The five-star prospect is planning to visit Ole Miss for its game against Alabama on Sept. 17, Tennessee for its Sept. 24 matchup against Florida and Notre Dame on Oct. 15 for the Irish's game against Stanford. Smith's final two visits have yet to be determined, but Tennessee seems to have a slight lead at the moment. Ole Miss, however, is not far behind. -- Derek Tyson

Marvin Wilson,?DT, 6-4, 332, Episcopal/Houston, ESPN 300 No. 7

Prediction: Texas
Confidence level: 20 percent
Toughest competition: LSU, Florida State
Others in the mix: Southern California, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M

The No. 1-ranked defensive tackle in the class has made the rounds throughout the spring and summer, hitting Florida State, Oklahoma, USC, Alabama and LSU along with the in-state powers. The Seminoles made a very strong impression in the spring, and that has continued with Florida State ace recruiter Tim Brewster trying to work his magic once again after beating out Texas for Houston-area linebacker Dontavious Jackson in February. As the countdown to national signing day ticks down, the prevailing thought is that the schools closer to home will end up with the best chance, with Texas and LSU receiving the most mention but the Longhorns' season on the field looming large. This weekend, the top-ranked prospect in the Lone Star State will attend games at Texas A&M and Texas. -- Gerry Hamilton

Prediction: Ohio State
Confidence level: 25 percent
Toughest competition: Ole Miss
Others in the mix: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee

Akers plays quarterback for Clinton High School and opened the season with more than 400 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, showing why schools are after the coveted running back. Ohio State is the early prediction with Akers, but his recruitment is a long, long way from over. The Buckeyes have put themselves in a good position, thanks to running back coach Tony Alford and some personal attention from Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. But as history tells us with recruits in Mississippi, it's going to be awfully tough to lure Akers away from the SEC schools, especially because LSU and Ole Miss have made Akers one of their priority targets in the 2017 class. Akers recently gushed about the opportunity to play in the same LSU offense that Leonard Fournette is showcased in, and Ole Miss is the in-state school that has always caught his attention. Florida State is also a factor, and if running back? Dalvin Cook has a big season it could help their chances. Also keep an eye on Tennessee with Akers, even though the Vols landed ESPN 300 running back Ty Chandler this summer. -- Jeremy Crabtree

Prediction: UCLA
Confidence level: 70 percent
Toughest competition: Nebraska
Others in the mix: Arizona, Michigan, Ohio State, Stanford, Southern California

Holmes was all over the place this summer, visiting Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others. He's scheduled to officially visit Nebraska this weekend, and the Huskers are definitely in the conversation after grabbing commitments from high school teammates Tristan Gebbia and Keyshawn Johnson Jr. But the Bruins are likely in the driver's seat thanks to proximity to home and a strong relationship with defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin. -- Erik McKinney

Prediction: Michigan
Confidence level: 80 percent
Toughest competition: Oklahoma
Others in the mix: North Carolina and Florida

Ruiz is one of the more sought-after centers in the country, and he has had an interesting summer. At one point it looked as though Alabama and Michigan were battling, but the Crimson Tide coaches didn't send him an official offer, and, according to Ruiz, the communication with the coaches stopped. That seems to bode well for Michigan. While Oklahoma, North Carolina and Florida are in his top list, the Wolverines look like the landing spot. -- Tom VanHaaren