There is not a higher-ranked player in the 2021 recruiting cycle than defensive end Korey Foreman. He’s the No. 1 ranked player in the country for the 2021 recruiting class and a major priority for Georgia in its 2021 recruiting class.

Foreman also sees Georgia as one of the top contenders for his services, as the defensive end from Corona, Calif., released his top-7 on Wednesday. The Bulldogs made the cut, along with USC, Oregon, LSU, Clemson, Alabama and Howard University.

Foreman was committed to Clemson but he backed off that pledge in April, making it a rare de-commitment for the Tigers. The reason for the de-commitment from Foreman was because of his desire to visit other schools. Clemson has a policy that does not allow for committed prospects to visit other schools, meaning that Foreman had to back of his pledge to look at some other programs.

What will be interesting to watch for Foreman is when visits are allowed again. The NCAA has currently extended the dead period, which prevents players from visiting campuses and coaches from visiting prospects, to Aug. 31. The policy has been in place since March.

Foreman visited Georgia prior to his commitment to Clemson in January.

Related: Korey Foreman de-commitment another example that even the big boys suffer de-commitments

In the past, Foreman has teased the possibility of being a package deal with 5-star defensive tackle Maason Smith, who recently put out a top-8. Georgia made that list as well, along with USC, Oregon, LSU, Florida, Miami, Oklahoma and Alabama.

The biggest competitors for Georgia with regards to Foreman should be seen as USC and Oregon. Foreman was at one point teammates with current USC defensive end Drake Jackson, as they both played for Centennial High School in Corona, Calif. Oregon has also had success recruiting southern California, as it landed 5-star linebacker prospect Justin Flowe in the 2020 cycle.

Georgia has made strides though in recent years in recruiting California. The Bulldogs signed two players from the state in the 2020 class, landing running back Kendall Milton from Fresno, Calif., and wide receiver Jermaine Burton from Calabasas, Calif. Georgia also brought in transfer quarterback JT Daniels this offseason. He played for USC the past two seasons and was a 5-star recruit in the 2018 recruiting cycle.

Another one of Georgia’s top targets in the 2021 recruiting cycle comes from the state of California, as Georgia’s top tight end target, Brock Bowers, comes from Napa, Calif.

The Bulldogs have previously landed the No. 1 recruit in the country under Kirby Smart, as Nolan Smith was the top-ranked player in the 2019 class. When speaking with DawgNation’s Jeff Sentell at The Opening in 2019, Foreman had entertained the idea of teaming up with Smith at Georgia.

Related: Nation’s No. 5 junior Korey Foreman intrigued by thought of playing with Georgia’s Nolan Smith

“Well being an underclassman I like watching Nolan Smith and Drake Jackson,” Foreman said. “Of course [Jackson] was once my teammate. But yeah Nolan Smith is really good. I feel like he’s doing really well at Georgia.”

“Being a teammate with him, that would be nice. But like I said I’m just taking things slow.”

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