But don’t completely count out LSU just yet.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Markaviest Bryant is one of the premier pass rushers in the country for the recruiting class of 2017. At 6’4 and 225 pounds, he has plenty of room to grow, and grabs you up to the wrist when you shake his hand.
There have been mixed reports about which school is the favorite to land the Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County four-star, so SB Nation caught up with him at the Under Armour All-America Game practices.
“Georgia is one, Auburn is two,” Bryant said. “Alabama is still in the picture, but it’s real tough. I really feel at home more at Auburn and Georgia.”
Bryant detailed the important factors in his recruitment.
Auburn offers the most playing time.
“Auburn showed that it has a real big need for me, coming at me first in the contact period,” Bryant said.
Bryant said that he sees more playing time at Auburn because Carl Lawson is leaving, and the coaches, according to Bryant, don’t believe the backups can be as good as he can be.
Scheme preference?
Georgia runs a 3-4 hybrid defense, and Auburn runs a 4-3. At Georgia, he’d be standing up more, and at Auburn he would play with his hand in the dirt.
But Bryant says that he has no preference. “I’m versatile, it makes me more valuable.”
Georgia has the best coaching relationships with Bryant
Bryant says that he has the best relationship with Georgia, though it is close with Auburn.
But his best individual relationship is with Georgia’s Kevin Sherrer, who coaches outside linebackers.
Decision timeline?
Bryant wants to take all his official visits before announcing his commitment, but will tell the team he commits to before taking the visits. Huh? He explains.
“I just want to make sure I am making the right decision. Right now I am not comfortable saying it publicly,” Bryant said, noting he thinks he knows where he is going.
Georgia will host Bryant on his official on the 13th, LSU on the 20th, and Auburn on the 27th. Bryant will also take a mid-week visit to Arkansas.
Georgia’s recruits are recruiting him the hardest
Bryant was quick to answer, noting that UGA QB commit Jake Fromm, defensive end Malik Herring, and guard Netori Johnson have been blowing up his phone.
But staying in state doesn’t have special appeal to Bryant
“Not really. It’s all about me,” he said. “All about where I am feeling home at for four years.”
Bryant models his game after a former Georgia star and current Chicago Bear
“I might be bigger than him, but I see myself like a Leonard Floyd. He might get defensive player of the year this year,” Bryant said, noting that he can play the stand-up end/linebacker hybrid role Floyd played at Georgia and in the NFL.
Does LSU have a real chance at Bryant?
Maybe, if it blows him away on his visit. Bryant loved coach Ed Orgeron at LSU’s camp, and planned to check out LSU’s bowl practice in Orlando Wednesday afternoon.
“[Star LSU DE] Arden Key came from Atlanta, and he told me there’s just something about Coach O.”
What about Arkansas and Florida?
Despite planning to take a mid-week visit to Arkansas, Bryant did not say much about the Hogs.
Bryant said that the coaching changes at Florida, and the inability to set up a visit due to communication problems eliminated the Gators.
Final thoughts
I take Bryant at his word when he says Georgia leads. Recruiting battles are most often won due to geography and relationships, and Georgia has the edge there, albeit slim ones.
But Auburn getting the last visit could be a big deal, even if Bryant gives his silent commitment to Georgia this week or next.
And watch out for what four-star defensive end Robert Beal does. The Georgia commitment told SB Nation on Tuesday that though he is “100-percent solid” to Georgia, he will be making yet another visit to FSU’s campus.
With his teammates at IMG Academy recruiting him to Florida State, if Beal were to flip, Georgia would look even more attractive to Bryant from a playing time perspective.