Georgia Football Recruiting: Top 2014 in-State Recruits Who Can't Slip Away

Georgia has struggled to secure in-state talent over the past few recruiting cycles, and that trend has to end for the Bulldogs to stay at the top of the Eastern division of the SEC.

Mark Richt needs this next class to be a strong one, and it starts with hauling in the top talent for the 2014 recruiting season. 

These are the five rising stars in the state of Georgia that the Bulldogs can’t allow to land in other SEC programs.

DE Lorenzo Carter, Norcross High School, Norcross, Ga.

Lorenzo Carter is the most talented defensive end in the country for this season's recruiting cycle. He is ranked as the No. 1 defensive end, and the No. 4 overall player (via 247Sports Composite) for 2014.

Georgia is currently in the mix for the stud defensive lineman, but Alabama is listed as his leading suitor.

There is a lot of ground to make up for the Bulldogs, but his attendance at Georgia’s Junior Day in February is a positive sign.

This is a recruitment that may go until signing day with a number of the SEC’s top programs taking part in the courtship of this rising star.

If the Bulldogs lose out on Carter this year, it will be another major blow to the in-state recruiting efforts for this cycle.

*All info obtained via Lorenzo Carter’s profile page on 247Sports

WR Demarre Kitt: Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, Ga.

Georgia has produced a number of talented receivers in the past few recruiting cycles, but the Bulldogs' staff seems to consistently fail at bringing that talent to Athens.

The latest star receiver from the state is Demarre Kitt, the No. 11 receiver and the No. 94 overall player (via 247Sports Composite) in the country.

Kitt currently boasts 30 offers, so the competition for his signature is fierce. He took an unofficial visit to Georgia on March 2, but on April 8 he listed Ohio State as his leader.

There is a lot of recruiting left to do, but Georgia is far behind and looking in from the outside of his list of top schools heading into the summer.

*All info obtained via Demarre Kitt’s profile page on 247Sports

DT Elisha Shaw: Tucker High School, Tucker, Ga.

The Bulldogs will head into the 2014 recruiting cycle searching for interior defensive linemen. Elisha Shaw is one of the best in the class, and heads into the summer rated as the No. 3 defensive tackle and the No. 44 overall player (via 247Sports Composite) in the country.

The Bulldogs brought in JUCO talent to help shore up the interior line in 2013, but they missed on other true freshmen at the position that could have built depth for the future.

Shaw is the new focus, and landing this top talent is a high priority for this squad. Alabama and Georgia are listed as his leaders, but a lot can change in a few months.

The Bulldogs need to pull out all the stops for Shaw during that time.

*All info obtained via Elisha Shaw’s profile page on 247Sports

DT Dontavious Russell: DT, Carrollton High School, Carrollton, Ga.

Dontavious Russell is a star defensive tackle for Carrollton High School and has been a Georgia commitment since April 1 of this year. No it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke, but if the commitment doesn’t stick it may appear that way.

Russell is the No. 9 defensive tackle and the No. 110 overall player (via 247Sports Composite) in the country for 2014.

He has already visited Florida and Auburn, and there is a wealth of other top programs dialing his number with regularity.

The Bulldogs have to ensure that Russell sticks as he could be the cornerstone for this in-state class.

*All info obtained via Dontavious Russell’s profile page on 247Sports

ILB: Raekwon McMillian: Liberty County High School, Hinesville, Ga.

The Bulldogs have a lot of young playmakers at the linebacker position heading into 2013, but there is a need for new bodies in the 2014 class.

The first place to look is in-state, and Georgia has the No. 1 inside linebacker (via 247Sports Composite) in the country for 2014 in Raekwon McMillian. McMillian is high on a number of top programs, including Georgia, but he listed his leader as Ohio State in October of 2012.

He is still high on OSU and a recent unofficial visit in April surely helped the Buckeyes' cause, but he also recently took the trip to Athens to visit the Bulldogs program.

This recruitment will be full of twists, but expect Georgia to be in the thick of the discussion until signing day.

*All info obtained via Raekwon McMillian’s profile page on 247Sports

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