Georgia Football: 10 Players to Watch in High School All-American Games

The Georgia Bulldogs' regular season may have ended with disappointment given the Dawgs' loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has already made the offseason interesting, but there's plenty to smile about in Athens.

In particular, Georgia's incoming recruiting class, which currently ranks third in the nation according to 247Sports, is cause for optimism.  And for Georgia fans looking for a way to get up to speed with talented future Bulldogs, the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl provide that opportunity.

The Under Armour All-America High School Football Game can be watched on ESPN2 on Friday, January 2, at 4 p.m. ET.  The U.S. Army All-American Bowl, meanwhile, will be broadcast by NBC at 1 p.m. ET on January 3.

For Georgia fans, here are 10 commitments and targets worth keeping an eye on (as ranked by the 247Sports composite).

Trent Thompson, 5-Star Defensive Tackle

Committed

The nation's second-best prospect per the 247Sports composite, Thompson has been a firm Georgia commit since August, and that doesn't appear to be changing.  According to Jake Rowe of Dawgs247 (subscription required), Thompson is "100 percent" in his commitment to Georgia.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC

Georgia likes Thompson for fairly obvious reasons.  At 6'4" and 292 pounds, the big man still knows how to move, he uses his hands and arms well to create leverage and his first step is startling.

Those traits stand out on the highlight tape, but will they translate to immediate playing time the way many Georgia fans anticipate in 2015?  That question will be answered on campus, but how Thompson holds up against the nation's best high school linemen will provide a nice teaser.

CeCe Jefferson, 5-Star Defensive End

Considering Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida State, Georgia

This Florida product is considered the nation's fifth-best player in the 247Sports composite and is receiving lots of interest from all the major players.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC

Jefferson seems to be favoring Florida, but with a new, offensive-minded staff in Gainesville, his recruitment is seemingly open.

With Jefferson, it's his pursuit skills that are worth watching.  He's not the biggest defensive end in this game, nor is he the most agile, but his ability to close in on quarterbacks is truly elite and reminiscent of a young Justin Houston.  He'll make an impact right away at the collegiate level, and he could terrorize opposing quarterbacks on Saturday.

Terry Godwin, 5-Star Athlete

Committed

Godwin, one of the nation's 20 best players per the 247Sports composite, is listed as an athlete but is destined to help fill the voids left by departing senior wide receivers Chris Conley and Michael Bennett.

Under Armour All-America High School Football Game: Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

It will be interesting to see how coaches use Godwin in Friday's game.  He obviously has playmaking skills at the wide receiver position, but he could also be a stud cornerback and a real threat in special teams returns.

Godwin wants to play receiver at the next level, and given his skill set and the returning personnel at Georgia, that makes a lot of sense.  But if he were to see action on the defensive side of the ball, Jeremy Pruitt could be enticed.  Remember: Malcolm Mitchell played both ways for Georgia as recently as 2012. 

Roquan Smith, 4-Star Outside Linebacker

Photo courtesy of 247Sports

Roquan Smith

Uncommitted

Smith, a seemingly college-ready outside linebacker, favors Georgia over the likes of UCLA, Ole Miss, LSU and Southern Cal, per 247Sports.

Under Armour All-America High School Football Game: Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Smith is the total package as an outside linebacker.  He boasts solid size at 6'2" and will undoubtedly add to his 205-pound frame.  If he can do so while maintaining his quickness and high motor, he'll be a contributor for some school as a true freshman.

The hope is that Georgia's recent history of playing true freshmen right away and the positive trajectory of Jeremy Pruitt's defense entices him to stay in-state.  But he'll be getting a lot of national attention on Friday.

Jonathan Ledbetter, 4-Star Defensive Tackle/Defensive End

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.

Committed

Ledbetter, whose brother plays for Georgia, chose the Bulldogs over Alabama in August, according to 247Sports.

Under Armour All-America High School Football Game: Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2 

Ledbetter's potential at the next level remains unknown.  To be sure, he has the size and athleticism to pique interest and garner a plethora of offers, but it's unclear where he will settle on the defensive line.

He's a bit small to play defensive tackle, and if bulking up costs him quickness, he could struggle there.  Meanwhile, his quickness at the next level remains to be seen.  He's fast for his size, but will he be quick off the edge against SEC offensive tackles? 

Natrez Patrick, 4-Star Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.

Committed

Patrick, the nation's fourth-best weak-side defensive end according to 247Sports, committed to Georgia last spring.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC

There's not much to dislike about Natrez Patrick.  He's already of good size at 6'3", 220 pounds, and his athleticism is truly elite.  If he can further grow into his frame, he'll be too versatile to ignore—even as a true freshman.

His first step and closing speed garner most of the recognition, but he could even settle nicely into a run-stopping middle linebacker when called upon. 

Donte Jackson, 4-Star Athlete

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.

Uncommitted

Jackson, the No. 92 player in the class of 2015 per 247Sports, seems to be narrowed down to LSU and Georgia.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC 

At the All-American Bowl, Jackson is listed as a 5'10", 164-pound athlete, per Jake Rowe of Dawgs247, and his decision could come down to which position he chooses and playing time.

Much like Godwin, Jackson could compete for playing time at Georgia right away at wide receiver.  But the defensive secondary also has a large hole to fill with the departure of three-year starter Damian Swann.  That could lure the talented athlete to Athens.

Rashad Roundtree, 4-Star Safety

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.

Committed

Roundtree, the nation's seventh-best safety according to the 247Sports composite, chose Georgia over Ohio State in November.

Under Armour All-America High School Football Game: Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

A big, hit-seeking safety, Roundtree will contend for playing time right away in Pruitt's secondary, where depth is desperately needed.  And given his size (6'1", 195 pounds) and skill set, he'll likely see the field early and often—even if only as a reserve.

In the All-America Game, he will need to rely on more than just natural gifts, however.  And in that regard, this will be a nice taste of what's to come from Roundtree.

Van Jefferson, 4-Star Wide Receiver

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.

Committed

A Top 15 wide receiver prospect per 247Sports, Jefferson chose Georgia over a number of suitors, including Ole Miss, Auburn, Clemson and Florida.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC

Whoever takes over as offensive coordinator for Georgia will have a number of game-ready toys to play with, and Jefferson may be one of the more exciting options.  Standing over 6'2" with a solid, muscle-bound frame, Jefferson looks equally ready to make highlight-reel catches and lay down strong blocks on the perimeter to help the running game.

A solid route-runner, Jefferson should shine in this contest where chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers may otherwise be lacking. 

Chidi Valentine-Okeke, 4-Star Offensive Tackle

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com

Uncommitted

247Sports regards Valentine-Okeke as the nation's 12th-best offensive tackle, and as such, he's attracting attention from Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida State.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET, NBC

Valentine-Okeke has a lot to prove on a big stage this week.  On paper, he's as impressive as any offensive tackle in this recruiting class, but in practice, there's a lot that needs to be seen. 

According to GreatSchools.org, the enrollment at Valentine-Okeke's school was just 114, and according to the school's official website, Faith Baptist Christian Academy played just eight games this season—primarily against small, private school competition.

How he holds up against the best athletes in the nation remains to be seen.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.