Where Georgia and LSU Turn After Missing on 5-Star CB Tarvarus McFadden

Tarvarus McFadden committed to Florida State during a Friday morning announcement ceremony, capping off a frenzied nationwide recruitment process. The prized defensive back prospect picked the Seminoles from an offer sheet that featured dozens of teams:

The American Heritage High School standout is the second blue-chip recruit to join the Seminoles' 2015 recruiting class this week. Fellow in-state star Jacques Patrick, a running back who ranks seventh all-time among Florida rushers, pledged Monday.

McFadden, a 6'3", 198-pound playmaker, is rated fifth nationally among cornerbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings. He trimmed his list of potential landing spots in recent months, with LSU and Georgia emerging as the top threats to challenge Florida State, a longtime favorite in this pursuit. 

The Tigers and Bulldogs miss out on a rangy defender with rare size and smoothness. Both programs have already assembled impressive classes but must now search elsewhere for additional help in the defensive secondary.

LSU already holds a pledge from one of the country's top cornerbacks in Kevin Toliver, though the 5-star commit continues to explore other options. He visited Virginia Tech, Florida State and Ohio State.

The potential tandem of Toliver and McFadden would have given Tigers fans plenty to be excited about in coming years. However, there's still a chance head coach Les Miles matches Toliver with another 5-star prospect at the position. 

Coveted California cornerback Iman Marshall plans to use an official visit in Baton Rouge before signing day, presenting an opportunity for LSU to pull in another premier player in pass coverage.

"Toliver is a great athlete, and he's very competitive like me," Marshall told me earlier this season. "We could make some serious noise down there. LSU is known as 'DBU' for a reason. They send a lot of defensive backs to the league, which is important to me. It's a place where I feel like I could really develop and polish my skills." 

Credit: 247Sports

It may be difficult to lure Marshall away from the West Coast, but nearby defensive backs also offer potential.

Deshawn Raymond, a 4-star in-state target, has spent significant time on campus. The Tigers could quickly turn to him after missing on McFadden, though TCU, Nebraska and Mississippi State are also in the mix.

Georgia was actually viewed as a stronger contender than LSU for McFadden's commitment during the final stretch. Cornerback is a key area of need for this 2015 Bulldogs class, especially after losing 4-star Tennessee prospect Rico McGraw to Alabama in July.

Rashad Roundtree, a Peach State product, is widely viewed as a collegiate safety but could fill a variety of roles at the next level. He is expected to visit Ohio State this weekend, but the Bulldogs have been a strong competitor for his commitment throughout and hold 97 percent of pledge predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

The team is also targeting Nashville cornerback Justin Martin, a junior college player who competes at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Georgia extended an offer to the 4-star recruit in early October, but scholarships from the likes of Oklahoma, Miami and Oklahoma State have since followed.

It's imperative for Mark Richt and his staff to claim at least one top-tier cornerback in the coming months as available options continue to dwindle. Georgia could also end up landing a prospect who is currently committed elsewhere. 

Players like McFadden don't come in bunches, and now that he's headed to Tallahassee, it's time for LSU and Georgia to seek out Plan B.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.