As the top prep players in America continue to commit to their schools of choice, uncommitted four-star linebacker Roquan Smith’s value continues to rise.

Smith, a native of Montezuma, Georgia, is the Peach State’s No. 7 prospect in the class of 2015 (according to 247Sports composite rankings), and he’s the top player from the state yet to give his commitment to a school.

The Georgia Bulldogs are seen as the frontrunners in the Smith sweepstakes as of Dec. 17, due in part to Smith’s ties to the state and in part to Georgia’s need to replace departing middle linebackers Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson.

Although Smith disclosed to Dawg Post that “Georgia made me feel like a priority” on his official visit to Athens last week, he is still considering a handful of other schools both within and outside the SEC.

Smith made an official visit to Southern Cal late last month, and has official visits scheduled with LSU, Ole Miss and UCLA in January following the ongoing recruiting dead period.

One place he didn’t make an official visit was the University of Florida, but that hasn’t stopped the Gators from pursuing the middle linebacker, even amid a coaching change in Gainesville.

It’s unlikely Smith will make a decision on a school before making his scheduled visits next month. National signing day for high school recruits is not until early February, and FBS teams are currently in the midst of a recruiting dead period lasting until mid-January.

Whichever school is ultimately able to woo Smith is going to get a tremendously talented inside linebacker with a skill set that should translate well to major college football.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound athletic wonder was unstoppable as a senior in 2014, recording 79 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, all in just six games.

Few prep linebackers in America have Smith’s instincts on the field, both pre-snap and as a play is unfolding. He has an uncanny ability to read a play as it develops and ensure he’s in the right place at the right time to make a play for his defense.

His footwork is tremendous, allowing him to move laterally across the middle of the field without taking his eyes off opposing quarterbacks or ball-carriers. Smith is an above-average tackler who will only grow more powerful as he bulks up at the college level, and he rarely misses a tackle due to poor form or bad timing.

He’s especially stout in pass coverage, reading quarterbacks better than most defensive backs at the high school level. Smith also played some receiver in high school, and it showed with the way he plucked balls out of the air from his linebacker position. His hands are tremendous, and he should be able to hold his own in coverage against opposing backs and tight ends at the next level.

Adjusting from high school to college is tougher for a middle linebacker than for prospects at most other positions on either side of the ball. Nevertheless, Smith has a rare combination of athleticism and instincts that should allow him to develop into a star wherever he goes.