5 2015 Recruits with the Most Riding on the Auburn vs. Georgia Game

There will be huge stakes on the line when Auburn meets Georgia this weekend in the 118th edition of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

On the field, a win by the Bulldogs would even the series record at 55-55-8. However, the bigger battles are likely to be fought on the recruiting trail, where the longtime rivals have gone head-to-head for a number of talented prospects in recent years.

Both schools are among the Top 10 classes in 2015, according to the 247Sports Team Rankings.

With the 2015 recruiting cycle less than two months away from its conclusion, the Tigers and Bulldogs have a handful of prospects who are seriously considering both schools.

Which 2015 prospects will be paying close attention to the happenings between Auburn and Georgia this weekend? 

*Players listed in alphabetical order

Terry Godwin

Even though he’s been committed to Georgia since January, 5-star in-state athlete Terry Godwin has been one of the most active recruits in the country. 

The 6’0”, 168-pounder has been a fixture in Athens during the football season. However, he’s also taken a pair of trips to see fellow SEC powers Alabama and Auburn.

Despite his visits, he insists he’s firm in his pledge to the Bulldogs and cited his bond with several of the ‘Dawgs commits as evidence of that, as noted by BamaOnline’s Charles Power (subscription required).

However, in recruiting, nothing is official until the ink dries on a national letter of intent. With Godwin still leaving the door open for other schools, the Tigers have a chance to make a statement against the school he’s been committed to for almost a year.

Darius Slayton

Wide receiver is a position of need for both Gus Malzahn and Mark Richt in the 2015 recruiting cycle. 

In addition to Godwin, another Peach State standout who is high among the wish list of both the ‘Dawgs and Tigers is 4-star receiver Darius Slayton.

The 6’2”, 182-pounder is versatile enough to play corner. He visited Auburn last month for its monster win over LSU.  

However, if the ‘Dawgs want to make a run at the No. 1 overall class, keeping Slayton is a top priority, as noted by Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247 (subscription required).

Considering that, per Mansell, a decision could be coming soon from Slayton, both the Tigers and Bulldogs would stand to benefit from an impressive showing on offense.

Trent Thompson

Another critical piece to a Georgia class currently rated No. 2 nationally is 5-star defensive tackle pledge Trent Thompson.

However, similar to Godwin, the 6’4”, 292-pounder was present in Jordan-Hare Stadium for a pair of games this year, and he’s a candidate to take an official visit to the Plains potentially after the season, according to Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover (subscription required).

Thompson has repeatedly affirmed that his commitment to the Bulldogs is strong. Even though the idea of him flipping is somewhat far-fetched, recruiting has often taught us that nothing is impossible. 

Regardless, the Tigers have a chance to impress him by slowing down the Bulldogs’ vaunted running back duo of Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. 

Meanwhile, the ‘Dawgs have a similar chance to show that their abysmal performance against Florida two weeks ago was nothing more than an aberration.

Chidi Valentine-Okeke

One of the more interesting recruitments in this cycle is the case of 4-star offensive lineman Chidi Valentine-Okeke.

As Barton Simmons of 247Sports recently detailed, the talented 6’6”, 305-pounder has been reclassified as a member of the 2015 class. Originally a 2016 recruit, the move coincides with an offseason transfer from the Miami area to the state of Georgia. 

Simmons also notes that Valentine-Okeke has Auburn and Georgia among two of this top three favorites and that a decision could likely be soon, as he has tentative plans on enrolling at his school of choice in January.

With little time left to make an impression on the talented lineman, each school will look to make a statement with its performance on Saturday.

D'Andre Walker

Perhaps the one duel between the ‘Dawgs and Tigers that is the most uncertain is the battle to land 4-star defensive end D’Andre Walker. 

As Niebuhr reports (subscription required), while the race for Walker’s services seems to be between Auburn and Georgia, neither side has a true feel on which school he could be leaning toward.

Both schools have a need for explosive pass-rushers, and Walker appears to be a mutual primary target.

The 6’2”, 218-pounder has done a good job of staying mum on where he’s leaning. However, getting the chance to see his two presumed favorites in action could provide a little more clarity in determining where he will eventually land next season.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani