Could Gwinnett County produce the state’s No. 1 overall college prospect for the third straight season next year?

Could the state of Georgia produce the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for the second time in three years?

It’s early but it’s looking like there’s chance.

Mitch Hyatt, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive tackle from North Gwinnett, is rated as nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for 2015, according to the 247 composite rankings (which combines Rivals, Scout, ESPN and 247).

If Hyatt’s ranking holds, he will match the feat of former Grayson High School standout Robert Nkemdiche, who was the first-ever national No. 1 produced by Georgia. (Hard to believe but true)

Ironically, it was Hyatt’s respectable performance against Nkemdiche (now at Ole Miss) in last year’s state playoffs as a tall and lanky sophomore that rocketed him onto the recruiting radar.

On Friday, Hyatt will be involved in another “Battle of the Titans” when North Gwinnett plays at Norcross.

Hyatt, the state’s top prospect for 2015, will match up against Norcross defensive end Lorenzo Carter, the state’s top prospect for this year, 2014. (He's No. 5 overall in the USA)

Back to Hyatt: He has an uncle that played on Clemson’s 1981 national championship team. Hyatt does not claim any leaders but lists a top five.

“It’s not final or anything, or in any order. I’ve got UGA, Clemson, South Carolna, Louisville, and Auburn,” Hyatt told the AJC. “It’s more like schools I’ve seen, and who I like to this point. But it’s not finalists.”

Here's a Q&A with Hyatt:

• You’ve been studying a lot of film of Lorenzo Carter. What do you think? “I think what stands out is his athleticism, and his ability to change speeds. I mean, he just changes up on you in an instant, and you don’t know where he’s going. He’s really good at not selling what he’s going to do (on a play). He’s just a great athlete, and he’s very fast.”
• You made your name last year as a sophomore with respectable performance against Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s consensus No. 1 overall prospect. How does Carter compare to Nkemdiche? “They’re different. Nkemdiche will put more power moves on you. From watching Lorenzo on film, I think I will see more finesse (moves) out of him.”
• You made an unofficial visit to Clemson for the win over UGA. How was the atmosphere there? “It was very intense. The stadium was loud. It was overall a good game.”
• Is your uncle  helping you with recruiting? “He just shares what went on when he was going through the same (recruiting) process. He gives me advice. He tells me not to stress out. He says to find a place where I will feel comfortable for four years. He’s not really pushing Clemson on me or anything. He just wants the best for me.”
• You made an unofficial visit to UGA for the win over South Carolina. How was that? “I probably say it was just about the same as Clemson, but maybe a little bit higher stakes because it was an SEC conference game. It was a good atmosphere.”
• Which college is recruiting you the hardest right now? “I’d say Florida State and Georgia.”
• Where will you visit next? “I might be going to Auburn this weekend. The coaching staff there is great. They have coaches back from the national championship team. So I know they work well together. The O-line coach is a great guy, and works hard to develop his guys for the next level.”
• Where else? “I might be going to the UGA-LSU game or I might be going up to Ohio State for the Wisconsin game.”
• Anybody not recruiting now that you wish would? “I don’t have much desire to go out west. I probably will try to stay close to home for college." 
• What do you think about the recruiting process so far? “It’s not too bad. It’s not interrupting too much of school right now. It’s going good. I feel blessed.”

Lorenzo Carter has mutual respect for Hyatt, and offered his opinion of the fellow 5-star that you can read HERE

Had a coach tell me the "Big BCS" schools would double their recruiting jobs in house in next 5 yrs. I say in three yrs, it is 24/7 now days

— Rusty Mansell (@Mansell247) September 9, 2013

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