B/R Exclusive: Nation's Hottest WR Recruit, Lawrence Cager, Reveals New Top 6

Lawrence Cager plans to announce his collegiate intentions Jan. 3 at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Though six weeks separate the coveted Maryland wide receiver from a decision, he's confident about which schools remain under consideration.

The 6'5", 202-pound playmaker is concentrating on six programs during the final stretch of a frenzied recruitment.

"It's really down to Alabama, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia and Virginia Tech," Cager said.

The late-rising Calvert Hall College High School star has seen his stock soar this year, as a flurry of scholarship offers effectively changed the dynamics of a whirlwind process.

Cager completed his junior campaign with significant college interest but limited offers. The situation changed tremendously following a series of standout performances on the camp circuit, including a strong showing at The Opening, an elite invite-only showcase held in July at Nike's world headquarters.

During a two-week span this summer—in the immediate aftermath of The Opening—Cager reeled in offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Ohio State and Kentucky. Things picked up in a hurry.

"As this process has gone on, there's been a lot more to think about," he said. "It's been incredible."

Another wave of momentum arrived in October when Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Miami and South Carolina each offered within eight days.

Cager, a dynamic athlete who once drew professional baseball scouts to his school as an underclassman before focusing solely on football, garnered attention for improvements this season. He's transformed from a raw athlete to polished pass-catcher.

"College coaches have told me I look much quicker than last year," he said. "My 40-yard dash time is down from about 4.7 to the 4.5 range. They're now seeing a 6'5" receiver flying down the field with excellent speed."

Combine newfound quickness with impressive physicality, and it's no wonder colleges have been clamoring for Cager's commitment.

"I feel confident that I can grab the ball from anywhere downfield even if the pass is away from me," he said. "I refuse to take a play off. If you're loafing on my side of the field, I will pick you up and throw you."

Now that he's centered his focus on six squads from an offer list that features more than 40 schools, Cager detailed each option this week during a conversation.

Here's a peek at his mindset toward each program.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide welcomed Cager to campus last weekend for an unofficial visit. Although he only planned to attend the team's matchup with Mississippi State, he apparently played a role in a crucial moment of the highly anticipated showdown.

Upon arriving at the football facilities, Cager was summoned into Lane Kiffin's office. The Alabama offensive coordinator was busy finalizing his red-zone game plan against a stingy Bulldogs defense.

Cager offered his input though he didn't think much of it at the time.

"Coach Kiffin was a little stuck on what he wanted to do with Mississippi State playing man coverage in the slot," Cager said. "I figured the best way to attack that would be to use an option route that sent the receiver on either a slant or a fade. He wrote down some notes about it."

Midway through the second quarter, with Alabama leading 5-0 and facing 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims hit receiver Amari Cooper with a well-placed touchdown strike.

It was a fade route from the slot.

"I just yelled, 'Hey, that was my play!' and it was definitely a crazy experience," Cager said.

He had an opportunity to spend time with Cooper off the field and received some advice from Alabama's all-time career receiving leader.

"Amari told me it's key to forget about your high school success and all that stuff as soon as you get to campus," Cager said. "Forget about how college coaches loved you as a recruit and be ready to prove yourself again. It's a business. Come in, challenge for a starting spot and stay humble."

Cooper is expected to depart for the NFL after this season, so head coach Nick Saban will require new pass targets to step up. Calvin Ridley, the top-ranked 2015 receiver in 247Sports' composite rankings, committed in April, and Cager understands there's an opportunity for them to form quite a duo.

"Calvin is an absolute baller, and he tore our team apart at The Opening (where Ridley earned overall MVP honors)," Cager said. "Coach Kiffin said that with me and him on the outside, we could be deadly in the SEC."

Cager will return to Tuscaloosa soon. He is targeting Dec. 19 as an arrival date, but details are still being ironed out.

"

Had a great time at Alabama, can't wait until my official #RollTide ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ICLlizrqHg

— Lawrence Cager (@LC1era_) November 16, 2014"

Georgia

The Bulldogs don't seem to be nearly as strong a possibility as SEC rival Alabama, but Cager continues to keep an eye on the team. His main motivation is a potential partnership with close friend Van Jefferson, a 4-star receiver who committed to Georgia in August.

"Van and I talk every day, so that's keeping them in there," Cager said. "It helps to have another guy in those position meetings who you already know and can trust at all times. I would have that there. Georgia is on the rise with a lot of young talent."

Despite a strong personal tie, limited dialogue with the team and a lack of any scheduled visit makes Georgia a long shot. This is the only squad among his top six not expected to receive a visit before January.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish represent one of his most recent offers. Head coach Brian Kelly pulled the trigger on Cager's scholarship in mid-October and managed to secure an immediate spot among his favorites.

"The tradition at Notre Dame is pretty legendary, and obviously, it's known as one of the top football schools in America every year," Cager said. "For me, the education there is what stands out. It's a place that can really put you in a position to succeed because of academics."

He also has a strong rapport with Irish quarterback commit Brandon Wimbush, who flipped from Penn State to Notre Dame earlier this season. They clicked in April while working through drills at a Nike camp in New Jersey.

"I made sure Brandon was my QB every time at that training camp," Cager said. "We performed really well together and got a chance to meet up again at The Opening. We talk about Notre Dame a lot."

Credit: 247Sports

He will spend time in South Bend next month. An official visit is scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 12.

Ohio State

Cager marvels at the recruiting class head coach Urban Meyer has put together in Columbus. Recent pledges have elevated Ohio State to No. 5 in 247Sports' composite class rankings and caught his attention.

"That Ohio State class is something special," he said. "It just keeps getting better with a ton of talent at just about every position. It's really a special group already."

Buckeyes supporters hoping Cager hops on the bandwagon will be happy to learn about his background as a college football fan. 

"Ohio State was my dream school growing up," he said. "I've always had a lot of respect for the team."

"

 pic.twitter.com/QfqCWWXKh8

— Lawrence Cager (@LC1era_) September 4, 2014"

He expressed particular excitement about recent Buckeyes commit Torrance Gibson, a sensational Florida athlete whose abilities at quarterback have been questioned at times during this cycle. Cager has no doubts about his promise at the position.

"Torrance has star quarterback potential," Cager said. "He's an elite playmaker, and it's an offense at Ohio State that's really built for his skill set. It would be awesome to play with him at the next level."

Meyer and company are set to host Cager for an official visit on Thanksgiving weekend.

Ole Miss

The Rebels could potentially pull in a package deal by landing Cager and Damarkus Lodge, a top-tier Texas receiver who decommitted from Texas A&M in September. The possibility is compelling and could elevate the Ole Miss aerial attack to new heights.

"Who's going to stop an offense with 6'3" and 6'5" receivers on the outside?" Cager said. "It's something we talk about a lot with the coaching staff."

Ole Miss offered in October and has maintained constant contact. Cager converses with Rebels receivers coach Grant Heard almost every day.

That relationship helped convince Cager to keep Ole Miss in the mix moving forward. He hopes to take a step ahead with the team by spending an unofficial visit in Oxford sometime soon.

Logistics are still being worked out for that trip, but the Rebels appear to be rising with Cager.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies haven't enjoyed as much on-field success as other members of this list during recent seasons, but a longstanding relationship with Cager makes Virginia Tech a contender.

"We've talked at least twice a month since my freshman year," he said. "There's a lot of trust there."

"

#HokieNation  pic.twitter.com/X9ADeGW9pc

— Lawrence Cager (@LC1era_) October 14, 2014"

Receivers coach Aaron Moorehead has been his main contact during the majority of time.

"Coach Moorehead is really easy to get along with, and we're to the point where I can talk to him about more than just football," Cager said. "He's a down-to-earth guy and a big reason I'm still looking at Virginia Tech.

He plans to use an official visit in Blacksburg during the first weekend of December.

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

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.