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A little less than two months after national signing day, Georgia 5-star wide receiver Demetris Robertson, the nation's top-ranked receiver in the 2016 class, remains unsigned. He has until Friday to sign a national letter of intent, per the NCAA signing date schedule.
A little less than two months after national signing day, Georgia 5-star wide receiver Demetris Robertson, the nation's top-ranked receiver in the 2016 class, remains unsigned. He has until Friday to sign a national letter of intent, per the NCAA signing date schedule.Credit: 247Sports.com

2016 Signees Offer Pitches for Their Programs to No. 1 WR Demetris Robertson

Damon SaylesMar 28, 2016

Friday is the last day a football recruit from the 2016 class can sign a national letter of intent.

With that said, Savannah, Georgia, 5-star prospect Demetris Robertson, the nation's top-ranked wide receiver in the class, remains unsigned. And uncommitted.

In arguably the most bizarre recruiting stories of the year, Robertson's plans for college football remain a mystery. He has signed financial aid agreement forms with three schools—Georgia, Georgia Tech and Cal—but Notre Dame, Stanford and Alabama are still schools considered very alive in the race for his services.

Financial aid agreements bind a school to providing aid for an athlete. However, athletes aren't required to attend a school until they sign a national letter of intent. If Robertson plans to sign a letter of intent, Friday is the deadline.

One thing's for certain: Robertson's final decision will be followed by multiple schools, as well as multiple members of the 2016 class. Bleacher Report spoke with a few athletes who offered their own recruiting pitches to Robertson as Friday approaches.

Georgia: Playing for the Home State a Major Option

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Special message to Robertson

"Come build something special. Come bring something back to Athens that hasn't been here in a very long time. Come play with the people who have been with you throughout high school career. You're going to be great wherever you go; just make the decision that's best for you and your family, and go where your family can come watch you play at home every Saturday." — 5-star ATH Mecole Hardman Jr.

In recruiting, the last official visit oftentimes holds the advantage in landing a commitment. That's the visit that's freshest.

For Robertson, Georgia was that last visit. He was in Athens, Georgia, the weekend of March 19. Representing Savannah, Georgia, Robertson is located roughly four-and-a-half hours away from Athens.

Kirby Smart was active with Robertson's commitment when he was at Alabama. Now that he's the head coach at Georgia, Smart's made Robertson a primary target as he attempts to finalize his college plans.

One person who thoroughly backs Smart in this case is Georgia signee Mecole Hardman, the top-ranked athlete in the 2016 class. Hardman and Robertson both are from the state of Georgia, and nothing would make Hardman happier than to call Robertson a college teammate.

"There isn't a better feeling that winning a championship in your home state," Hardman said.

Notre Dame: Are the Irish Still the Leader?

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Special message to Robertson

"Notre Dame is like no other school in college football. We play on TV every weekend, and we have the best fanbase and following in college football. Aside from football, finishing school at Notre Dame and getting that degree will have you set for life and place you in a category that very few people can say and a whole lot of people wish they could say. Notre Dame is the perfect environment to become successful." — 3-star DB D.J. Morgan

Notre Dame has been very hot in the 2017 recruiting cycle. Adding Robertson to its 2016 class would add fuel to the fire and give the Fighting Irish tons of momentum heading forward.

Notre Dame's 2016 signing class features three wide receivers in 4-stars Javon McKinley and Chase Claypool and 3-star Kevin Stepherson. A commitment from Robertson would give Notre Dame a strong case for the top receiver corps of the 2016 class.

Robertson visited Notre Dame the weekend of Sept. 5, and his brother, Carlos, told Tom Loy of 247Sports.com that he's trying to make a return trip to the campus before making a decision. Of his official visits, Notre Dame was the only one Robertson took by himself.

"I want to be able to evaluate some things since I never got up there," Carlos said of his potential trip to Notre Dame with his brother.

Of all the schools still in the mix for Robertson, Notre Dame leads in 247Sports.com's Crystal Ball prediction. Fighting Irish fans are hoping those prognosticators are correct.

Stanford: 'Don't Believe the Hype; Believe the Facts'

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Special messages to Robertson

"I wish you the best wherever you decide to go, but we think you'd be a great fit at Stanford, and we'd love to have you on The Farm." — 3-star CB Obi Eboh

"Opportunities are a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Sadly, opportunities are not always available for everyone and, sometimes, do not come often. However, you have one right before you, Robertson. Take advantage of it, because there is someone else wishing they could. Join The Farm." — 4-star CB Treyjohn Butler

Stanford's 2016 signing class is very respectable, as it features nine 4-star athletes, with the duo of tight end Kaden Smith and quarterback KJ Costello headlining the group.

In a couple of years, "Costello to Smith" could be the common phrase oftentimes heard on Saturday at Stanford Stadium. But you can bet that head coach David Shaw and his staff would love to have Robertson as a receiving target for Costello or whoever is calling plays.

The good news for Stanford fans is that as of mid-March, Robertson told 247Sports' Kipp Adams he still considers the Cardinal a leader in the recruiting game. Costello hopes to call Robertson a teammate when his recruiting process is over.

"When you're making a decision that has the potential to change your entire life, don't believe the hype," Costello said. "Believe the facts."

With Robertson considered an elite wide receiver, cornerback signee Obi Eboh is looking for talented offensive threats who will make him better in practice. Robertson can be that guy for Eboh.

"Ultimately, you have to make the best decision for you, and a lot of people aren't going to be OK with that," Eboh said. "The school has to be the right fit for you academically and athletically."

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Alabama: Another Top-Ranked Athlete for Nick Saban?

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Special message to Robertson

"All I've got to say is that if you want to win and get the best coaching in college football, come to Alabama." — 4-star CB Jared Mayden

As if Alabama needed any additional firepower in its loaded 2016 class, landing the top-ranked receiver would be huge—and also make head coach Nick Saban smile even more.

Alabama signed the top-ranked recruiting class for the sixth consecutive year. The 2016 class includes the nation's No. 1 inside linebacker in Ben Davis, the No. 1 junior college offensive tackle in Charles Baldwin and the No. 2 positional players in outside linebacker Lyndell Wilson, offensive tackle Jonah Williams and running back B.J. Emmons. Robertson would simply add to the arsenal.

Of Alabama's 24 current signees, 14 are 4-star athletes, and three more are 5-star athletes. Four of the 24 signees are listed as a cornerback, and having a 5-star receiver to defend in practice in preparation for Saturdays is never a bad idea.

Robertson took an official visit to Alabama the weekend of Feb. 26 and told Hank South of 247Sports.com that Alabama "showed me a lot about life after football."

Cal: A Place Where Receivers Can Shine

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Special messages to Robertson

"We really need you. Great schooling and football is what you want, and that's what Cal is. You can come in and start and play both ways. Think about it, D-Rob. #GoBears." — 4-star APB Melquise Stovall

"Choosing Cal is a good four-year decision but [also] a great 40-year choice. And, I mean, you can't beat the scenery and weather in Cali." — 3-star CB Joshua Drayden

Academics are important to Robertson, which is why schools like Stanford and Notre Dame are still high on his list. Cal offers competitive athletics and has a respectable academic reputation.

Athletically, Cal also was very good to wide receivers last season. With the leadership of prolific quarterback Jared Goff, the Golden Bears had six players finish with at least 40 receptions for the 2015 season. It's a place where head coach Sonny Dykes relies on the "Bear Raid" offense, Cal's version of the high-octane Air Raid spread offense.

As Cal prepares for life with a new quarterback, it's hoping to also add to its wide receiver arsenal, and Robertson can be a great addition to the offense. He also can be someone to help improve a defense that ranked eighth in the Pac-12 last season.

For cornerback signee Joshua Drayden, the decision was easier than some may assume.

"Cal presents you with a lot of great opportunities on and off the field," Drayden said. "You are playing in the Pac-12 with great competition, not to mention the great receivers that have gone through Cal. At the same time, you're getting the best education there is."

Robertson took an official visit to Cal the weekend of Oct. 3. Since then, the Golden Bears haven't been in the spotlight much within the media, but the program is one to still keep an eye on.

Georgia Tech: Comfort Level, Mom's Approval Playing a Role

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Special message to Robertson

"Not only are you competing at the highest level in the ACC, but it's also a great place to get a degree from. Georgia Tech is the place to be! #TogetherWeSwarm." — 3-star QB Lucas Johnson

Consider Georgia Tech a wild card of sorts. The Yellow Jackets don't have the winning prestige of the other programs, and many aren't looking at the team as a leader, but there's one person who could really help Georgia Tech's case in landing Robertson.

"Honestly, that is my mom's favorite school," Robertson told Kipp Adams of 247Sports, "but she wants me to go where I want."

Having his mother's approval is huge to Robertson. Savannah is roughly three-and-a-half hours from Georgia Tech's campus in Atlanta, and Robertson has mentioned on multiple occasions that he feels at home there. He took an official visit to Georgia Tech the weekend of Jan. 29.

Quarterback signee Lucas Johnson fully understands Robertson's comfort level with Georgia Tech.

"Being from San Diego, I was a little scared to go all the way across the country to Georgia Tech," Johnson said. "When I was out on my visit, all the coaches and players made me feel so at home."

Georgia Tech may be a team that thrives with its option offense, but a receiver like Robertson definitely would help the team open up head coach Paul Johnson's run-oriented triple-option offense—a la Demaryius Thomas in 2009.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles

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