5-Star Trent Thompson on Idea of Josh Sweat to Georgia: "Can't Block Both of Us"

Trent Thompson and Josh Sweat both took turns as the top overall prospect in national recruiting class rankings during this 2015 cycle. We'll find out Wednesday, December 10, whether the 5-star defensive linemen will spend their college careers terrorizing teams together.

Sweat, a 6'5", 240-pound senior at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, is set to announce his collegiate intentions at 10 a.m., per Rusty Mansell of 247Sports. The country's top-rated weak-side defensive end is down to five finalists, with Georgia, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oregon and Ohio State still under consideration.

He spent official visits at each school, including a trip to Athens last month.

The Bulldogs landed Thompson, the nation's consensus No. 1 defensive tackle, in August. The Westover High School standout from Albany, Georgia, imagined the possibility of playing alongside Sweat this week while visiting New York City for a U.S. Army All-American Player-of-the-Year event.

Thompson, one of six finalists for the award, admitted there's a potential for something special to develop if Sweat joins him at Georgia.

"If we both become great players in college, teams would always be trying to figure out how to handle us in the trenches," he told Bleacher Report. "But when we're lined up together, they can't double-team both [of] us. They can't block both of us."

Thompson, a 6'4", 292-pound playmaker, is among the most explosive interior linemen we've scouted this decade. His production features 232 tackles, including 78 for loss, 21 sacks and two interceptions during the past three seasons.

He spurned scholarship offers from the likes of Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, USC and Clemson by choosing the Bulldogs. Unlike Sweat, he elected to cut off a nationwide recruitment early rather than deal with this frenzied final stage of the cycle.

"I'm glad I committed before my senior year, because I wanted to be someone who helps build a class instead of waiting a while and joining late," Thompson said. "That was important and it allowed me to focus on my senior season rather than always dealing with recruiting stuff. It also gives me a chance to help bring other good players to Georgia."

Sweat is arguably the top target on Mark Richt's recruiting board two months shy of national signing day.

He drew comparisons to No. 1 NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney this summer at The Opening, an invite-only high school football showcase held at Nike's world headquarters. His performance included a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds and repeated one-on-one victories in highly competitive drills.

"You have to be perfect against Sweat," 5-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt told Bleacher Report after a head-to-head battle. "Otherwise you're done."

A knee injury ended his senior season in September, ultimately dropping him from No. 1 to No. 6 overall in 247Sports' composite rankings. Sweat secured 22 sacks and 94 tackles, including 31 for loss, as a junior in 2013.

If he joins Georgia, it would be arguably the biggest addition to an impressive recruiting haul along the defensive front. Aside from Thompson, Richt already holds commitments from 4-star defensive ends Chauncey Rivers, Michael Barnett, Natrez Patrick and Jonathan Ledbetter, who flipped from Alabama just four days after Thompson's commitment.

"Between the veterans we have returning next year and the young guys like me coming in, we're going to have a lot of great players to work with," Thompson said. "Our defensive line should be special with people filling different roles. We can be an important part of a championship team."

Sweat is projected to sign with Florida State by 50 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball. Georgia (8 percent) ranks third on the list, trailing both the Seminoles and Virginia Tech.

"It's a decision that should only come down to what's right for him and his family," Thompson said. "If it's too far from home, or he likes somewhere else better, then you can't blame him for going to another school."

Though he respects the process, you better believe Thompson will monitor Wednesday morning's news with a rooting interest.

"Obviously, I'd want him at Georgia so we can go to work together," he said. "We'll see what happens."

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

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.