ACC Breakdown: Biggest recruiting battles for 2018 prospects

Many of the teams in the ACC have already started to prioritize 2018 prospects over some in the 2017 class. It’s never too early to take a look at the biggest 2018 recruiting battles in the ACC. Here is a preview of the battle that will go all the way until Feb. 7, 2018.

RELATED: Breaking down top commits in SEC | Big Ten recruiting battles

The No. 1 player in the Rivals250 is always under a microscope, but that’s nothing new for Lawrence because he’s been under a microscope since he was in middle school. Georgia and Clemson are the only two schools he is considering at this point. At various points over the past few months, Lawrence looked as if he was close to committing but has taken his finger off the trigger each time.

The thinking is that he is waiting to see if Georgia’s offense this season looks like and plays like what he has been told. Lawrence’s relationships at Clemson may be slightly better than at Georgia but they are improving in Athens. The quarterback depth chart at each school will be an important factor for Lawrence. Both have young five-stars already in the fold, with Jacob Eason entering his freshman year at Georgia and Hunter Johnson committed to sign with Clemson in February.

White is a supreme talent that has teams from all over the country begging for him to commit to their school. North Carolina, Clemson and Florida State are the three ACC teams with the best chance of landing his commitment but Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU and a few others are under serious consideration as well.

North Carolina can provide something no other school can: The chance to play with White’s friend (2016 Tar Heel signee) Jonathan Smith. White has also visited Chapel Hill more than any other school. Clemson has a very legitimate shot at landing White, but Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina are hanging around.

Odds are in favor of Surtain playing his college football in Florida. Florida State and Miami are battling over the big-time talent from South Florida but LSU is lurking. Surtain has taken a lot of visits but is likely going to wait it out before announcing a commitment. Expect the lead to bounce back and forth between the Seminoles and Hurricanes as the recruiting process moves forward.

Much like Surtain, Samuel more than likely commits to a school in Florida. Florida State and Miami are seen as his two leaders, having visited both schools a number of times. The Gators will have something to say here before Samuel pulls the trigger, but the Seminoles and Hurricanes are in the driver’s seat. He doesn’t seem very interested in making an early decision, so look for Samuel to take his time and take a lot of visits.

Blades is practically royalty at Miami and that’s where most people believe he will end up. He is related to former Hurricane greats Brian Blades, Bennie Blades, the late H.B. Blades and the late Al Blades is his father. Florida State is making a big push to try to convince him that Tallahassee is the place for him, but its efforts may be in vain.