Georgia Football: Bulldogs' Top 5 Remaining Recruiting Targets for NSD 2015

With seven early enrollees and 19 firm commitments, it's fair to say this is a big recruiting class for the Georgia Bulldogs. Equally accurate is the assessment that this is a stellar group.

According to 247Sports, this class, which features two 5-star prospects and 12 4-star athletes, ranks fourth in the nation. And with big names like Trent Thompson (recently ranked as the top player in the country by 247Sports) and Terry Godwin (a 5-star athlete likely to settle at wide receiver) and a host of depth, it's easy to see why experts like these commitments.

But head coach Mark Richt and his staff of capable recruiters aren't finished yet.  Here are Georgia's top five remaining recruiting targets heading into national signing day, as ranked by the 247Sports Composite.

CeCe Jefferson

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com.

About the Target

• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 275 lbs.
• Position: Strong-Side Defensive End
• High School: Baker County (Glen Saint Mary, Florida)
• 247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 2 strong-side defensive end
• Also in Contention: Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida, Florida State

Analysis

CeCe Jefferson is a long shot for Georgia.  According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Jefferson has expressed that Ole Miss is his leader, but with strong pursuit from Alabama, a new coaching staff at Florida and an official visit still scheduled at Auburn, a lot could change.

That's probably the best news for Georgia.  Jefferson is a supremely talented prospect who has demonstrated improvement year over year. He has every right to take his time in making a decision, and based on continued pursuits of other teams, it seems he's still susceptible to persuasion.

Georgia will continue to pursue Jefferson, but it may not be enough.

Hypothesized Chance of Signing with Georgia: 10 percent

Roquan Smith

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com.

About the Target

• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 205 lbs.
• Position: Outside Linebacker
• High School: Macon County (Montezuma, Georgia)
• 247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 49 overall, No. 5 outside linebacker
• Also in Contention: Michigan, UCLA, Ole Miss, USC

Analysis

Roquan Smith has long seemed to favor the home-state Bulldogs, but it doesn't work in Georgia's favor that Michigan and new head coach Jim Harbaugh will get to see him for an official visit this week (per 247Sports).

Georgia's wealth of returning pass-rushers and incoming outside linebackers/defensive ends could also deter Smith.  With Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins opting to return to Athens, Lorenzo Carter just finishing up his freshman season and five commitments coming from pass-rushing specialists, playing time could be at a premium for Smith. 

If the Dawgs can woo Smith, they'll get a college-ready player who could play any of the four linebacker spots.  If he's willing to move inside, he could play immediately, as depth is lacking at the inside linebacker positions.

Hypothesized Chance of Signing with Georgia: 80 percent 

Donte Jackson

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com.

About the Target

• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 164 lbs.
• Position: Athlete
• High School: Riverdale (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• 247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 85 overall, No. 7 athlete
  
• Also in Contention: LSU, USC, Florida State, Ole Miss

Analysis

Donte Jackson will visit his two leaders, Georgia and LSU, over the next two weeks, and those trips will likely decide his final destination. A Louisiana native, the home-state Tigers seem to have an advantage, but Jeremy Pruitt has kept Georgia in contention.

Jackson doesn't have prototypical defensive back size, but that's likely where he will settle, and his speed and athleticism will allow him to be successful there.  

Last week, 247Sports analyst Jake Rowe asserted that LSU's "headway" with Jackson made him less likely to become a Bulldog, but Pruitt will be able to genuinely offer an opportunity to compete for playing time and a starting job right away.  

Hypothesized Chance of Signing with Georgia: 50 percent

Chidi Valentine-Okeke

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com.

About the Target

• Height: 6'6"
• Weight: 305 lbs.
• Position: Offensive Tackle
• High School: Faith Baptist Christian (Ludowici, Georgia)
• 247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 111 overall, No. 7 offensive tackle
• Also in Contention: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida State

Analysis

Georgia appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to Chidi Valentine-Okeke.  He visited the Bulldogs back in December, but he plans to visit LSU this weekend and Alabama appears to be his current leader.

Valentine-Okeke possesses every physical skill one could ask for in an offensive tackle and is rightfully deserving of his high rating.  That being said, he's played against inferior competition for the entirety of his high school career, and the learning curve at the SEC level could be steep for him.

He's a risky prospect. Not one worth overlooking, but he's one that could be missed and made up for with a more proven talent.

Hypothesized Chance of Signing with Georgia: 30 percent

Patrick Allen

Photo courtesy of 247Sports.com.

About the Target

• Height: 6'5"
• Weight: 286 lbs.
• Position: Offensive Tackle
• High School: Frankin (Reisterstown, Maryland)
• 247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 278 overall, No. 28 offensive tackle
• Also in Contention: Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, LSU

Analysis

Patrick Allen doesn't have the upside of Valentine-Okeke, but he's a much less risky prospect.  Allen is capable of playing offensive guard or tackle and has experience playing both positions at a very competitive high school level.

Initially committed to Georgia, Allen decommitted after offensive coordinator Mike Bobo left for Colorado State and took offensive line coach Will Friend with him.  That being said, Georgia is still very much in the running for his services, and according to John Whittle of The Big Spur, Allen is looking for a position coach that he "can work with and get better."

Last week, longtime NFL offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was announced as Bobo's successor and Rob Sale was tapped to replace Friend.  Bulldogs fans will find out if Allen liked those hires on national signing day.

Hypothesized Chance of Signing with Georgia: 40 percent

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