UGA’s top defensive recruit will make his first visit to Athens this season when the Bulldogs play host to LSU next weekend.

Lamont Gaillard is a 4-star defensive tackle from Fayetteville, N.C., who committed to UGA over Clemson and Alabama, among others, in July. Gaillard is rated as the nation’s No. 57 overall prospect in the 247 composite rankings.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder is looking forward to returning to UGA’s campus. And next week’s trip will be as an official visit.

“It’s a big SEC game, and I know it will be a great crowd,” Gaillard told the AJC on Thursday. “It’s a good game for my parents to see. They can see what Georgia is all about." 

Wilson says he talks weekly to either UGA defensive line coach Chris Wilson, or his area recruiter, Bulldogs tight ends coach John Lilly. They were supposed to attend one of his games a couple of weeks ago, but decided to come closer to next week’s visit.

What’s the latest with recruiting? Surprisingly, Gaillard hasn’t heard much from other schools, but it’s a long ways until signing day.

“I’m just trying to put up some stats (in high school) before I go off to Georgia,” Gaillard said.

At Pine Forest High School, Gaillard plays both ways. Last week, the coaches let him focus mainly on defense and he finished with six solo tackles and one sack.

“It made a big difference; He had a lot more gas left in the tank,” Pine Forest coach Bill Sochovka said. “He’s stepping up. He’s right where he needs to be.”

RECRUITING RADAR: One of the state’s most overlooked seniors may be Chad Toliver, a speedy cornerback and return specialist for Milton High School. Toliver, who transferred before the season from Chattanooga, Tenn., is averaging 46 yards per return, either on kickoffs or punts. “If they kick it to us, we’re generally starting off on the other side of the field,” Milton coach Howie DeCristofaro said. “He has very good hips, and is fluid with his feet.” The 5-11, 195-pound Toliver had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Camden County in a scrimmage. He was electronically timed at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Mississippi State camp over the summer, along with registering a vertical jump of 39 inches.

THE SHOW ME STATE: Missouri already landed a commitment from the state’s No. 1 overall basketball prospect, Jakeenan Gant of Effingham County High School. The SEC school may also be on the brink of hauling in the No. 2 prospect, guard Ahmed Hill of Augusta. Hill tweeted out that he won’t be making an official visit to Indiana, leaving speculation that Hill will pick either Missouri or Marquette. Hill has offers from UGA and Georgia Tech, among many others.

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READING MATERIAL WHILE IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE ...

• Analysis of state's No. 1 QB
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• Nick Saban on winning a national title? “That damn game cost me a week of recruiting"
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THE LOCAL BOYS

• UGA's Big Board for 2014
• Georgia Tech's Big Board for 2014