The latest NCAA dead period ends Thursday, opening a “contact period” where coaches can make in-person visits and host players.

With the December early signing period (mostly) in the rearview for Alabama and Auburn football’s recruiting staff, attention turns to the next cycle and the crop of current juniors that are likely to dominate headlines throughout the year.

Both the Crimson Tide and Tigers have already received multiple commitments from the class of 2024. Alabama has five verbal pledges, including three in the 247Sports top 100: California quarterback Julian Sayin, Clay-Chalkville defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe and Foley’s Perry Thompson. That group is ranked fifth overall. A pair of four-stars picked Auburn on July 30 in Florida quarterback Adrian Posse and Moody cornerback A’Mon Lane.

Here are the key players that have scheduled on-campus “Junior Day” visits for this upcoming weekend.

Starting with Thompson, the No. 94 player in the 247Sports composite was a summer commit before he starred in his junior season, scoring nine touchdowns and earning a Class 7A first-team All-State nod. On Wednesday, Thompson announced an offer from Freeze and the Tigers, setting up one of many recruiting battles between Tuscaloosa and the Plains.

Thompson, the No. 16-rated wide receiver in the country at 6-foot-3, 202-pounds, will be at Auburn on Saturday. Auburn Live also confirmed that two more potential transfers have booked trips as Maryland linebacker Ahmad McCullough and Kentucky defensive lineman Justin Rogers could add two more super seniors to Freeze’s initial class.

For the Tide, four-star edge rusher Sterling Dixon (Mobile Christian) will be in town. He chose the Tide over LSU, Auburn and others on Dec. 1. Four-star athlete Aeryn Hampton, rated the No. 8 cornerback per 247, decomitted from Texas on Nov. 29 and is set for an Alabama trip after receiving an offer in April. Defensive lineman Dealyn Evans, another Lone State talent, is visiting. He’s been committed to Texas A&M since July 31. Four-star Mississippi athlete Daniel Hill also confirmed he’ll be in attendance via Twitter.

More Tide/Tigers recruiting news: Alabama commits, local standouts compete in Under Armour All-America Game

Auburn flips transfer from Illinois, brings in center Avery Jones

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].