LSU vs. Georgia: Whose 2014 Recruiting Class Is Better Right Now?

LSU travels to Athens this weekend to take on Georgia in a heavyweight SEC game. The juggernauts are among the top teams in the country, and also the best recruiting programs in the business.

The Tigers and Bulldogs have assembled great recruiting classes, so there will not be a talent letdown any time soon with their rosters. With the classes both being so impressive, and with the programs squaring off this weekend on the field, it's time to see which group of prospects is better.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNU.

2014 LSU Recruiting Class Capsule

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With 14 commitments, LSU has a class of moderate size but impressive depth and quality. The Tigers still have several remaining elite targets, but they're certainly not ashamed of who's already on board.

Head coach Les Miles and his staff have gone to five different states for prospects, including Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Florida. However, with eight commitments, Louisiana still is the main hotbed for LSU.

The class is broken down into eight offensive prospects, five defenders and one kicker. 

2014 Georgia Recruiting Class Capsule

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Georgia has enjoyed a wonderful recruiting cycle, and this could be a banner year for the Bulldogs. They have a few uncommitted targets left, and should be ranked high when the final recruiting rankings are unveiled in February.

Head coach Mark Richt knows how important it is to build a fence around his state, so it's not shocking to see eight of UGA's 17 pledges are Peach State prospects. The state of Florida is also represented well with five commitments in this class.

Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina boast players in the group. The class is broken down into nine offensive players, with another eight being on the defensive side of the ball. 

LSU's Top Commitments

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An interesting player in LSU's class is 4-star dual-threat quarterback Brandon Harris. The Louisiana native stands nearly 6'3", weighs 193 pounds and has solid arm strength.

Receiver Tony Upchurch is a physical 6'2", 228-pound 4-star prospect who competes for the football with strength. Garrett Brumfield and Will Clapp are 4-star guards who should help continue the solid offensive line play in Baton Rouge.

Trey Quinn, a 4-star receiver, is excellent in the slot, while 6'2", 185-pound 4-star safety Devin Voorhies has good speed.

Other notable 4-star commitments include tight end Jacory Washington, and defensive end Deondre Clark. 

Georgia's Top Commitments

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Running back Nick Chubb, a 4-star prospect, is 5'11", 216 pounds and has good speed. Weighing over 230 pounds is likely for the runner during his time in Athens.

Defensive tackle Lamont Gaillard is an explosive, violent, strong and powerful 4-star recruit in the trenches. He will be joined by 6'3", 300-pound 4-star prospect Dontavius Russell, while 4-star cornerback Malkom Parrish will develop into a fine player in the secondary.

Keyon Brown, a 4-star defensive end, will likely see time as a stand-up outside linebacker. Quarterback Jacob Park has a good skill set, and throwing to fellow 4-star recruits like tight end Jeb Blazevich and receiver Shakenneth Williams should help him. 

LSU's 2014 Recruiting Class Headliner

An elite 4-star defensive back, Edward Paris is the headliner for the Tigers. The Texas native is 6'1", 190 pounds and can work as a cornerback and safety.

Edwards has the strength to press receivers at the line, shows loose hips to mirror and has outstanding short-area quickness. He's a good athlete with quick feet who also possesses great recovery speed.

Edwards can move to the seams, cover tight ends and also has great range. He will support the run when he can, has solid instincts and plays with confidence. 

Georgia's 2014 Recruiting Class Headliner

The top player in Georgia's class is 5-star running back Sony Michel. Outside of blocking skills, the Florida native has everything needed to be a top-level SEC running back.

Michel, who is 5'11" and 205 pounds, has excellent vision and instincts. He can shoot to and through alleys, slide to back-side holes and has a great feel for reading the flow of linebackers. Michel has outstanding agility, lateral quickness and elusiveness.

He also runs with deceptive power, can break a tackle or two and has the speed to make big plays. Michel also flashes great receiving skills.  

Winner

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LSU has a great class, but the winner of this recruiting class battle is Georgia. The Bulldogs have better quantity and quality than their SEC counterparts.

Georgia's 17-man class features 12 recruits who are rated as at least 4-star prospects, while the Tigers' 14 commitments have only nine players rated at a 4-star clip.

Both programs rightfully love their classes, but Georgia has the superior group.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.