Georgia and Alabama appear to be on a collision course for an all-time exciting matchup in the SEC Championship Game this season and the competition between the two schools can also be seen off the field in recruiting.

Alabama has been on a historically strong stretch under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide have been at or near the top of most rankings systems for much of his tenure. The Tide are also aiming to become the only school to compete in the Playoff each of the first four seasons.

Standing in the way of that accomplishment this year will likely be none other than Saban’s former assistant Kirby Smart.

Smart is in his second year with the Georgia Bulldogs, and the team has played amazing this season. Just as impressive as Smart’s work on the field has been the progress he has made on the recruiting trail. The Bulldogs already have commitments from top-tier recruits in QB Justin Fields and RB Zamir White, and it looks like Smart and Saban will be battling it out for a top TE recruit as well.

Luke Ford out of Carterville, Illinois is a four-star TE and the second-ranked TE for the class of 2018 by 247Sports and has both Georgia and Alabama on his list. Ford is also the No. 1 player out of the state of Illinois for 2018.

According to 247Sports, Ford had an unofficial visit to Alabama on Oct. 14, and he is set for an unofficial visit to Georgia this Saturday when the Bulldogs take on South Carolina.

Ford’s Crystal Ball Predictions at 247 Sports still has Alabama has a strong favorite for the young TE, but Georgia could make a push. Getting Ford to see a strong atmosphere in an intense SEC matchup in Athens, along with a strong finish to the year and a strong showing against Alabama could be a difference maker for the Bulldogs.

Here is a look at Ford’s junior year highlights from Hudl: