Nike’s all-star “The Opening” showcase event in July will likely have a heavy dose of UGA recruiting news.

Andrew Thomas, the state of Georgia’s top-rated offensive lineman for the Class of 2017, will make his choice known at the event. Thomas will choose between UGA, Clemson and Notre Dame.

Why then?

“Because of the ESPN broadcast,” Thomas said.

Thomas is rated as the nation’s No. 49 overall prospect for 2017. (Jeff Sentell / AJC)/Dawgnation)

He wasn’t sure of the exact date of his decision but believed that his decision would take place on July 9 or July 10. The offensive tackle is one of two big UGA targets that is expected to commit next month at Nike’s showcase recruiting event from the company’s world headquarters in Oregon.

Toneil Carter, a four-star running back from Texas, is also expected to make his college commitment at that event. UGA is seen as one of his top choices.

Thomas gave a pretty clear picture that UGA has an outstanding shot at him recently. He told DawgNation UGA led for him and went into detail about the preferences for his family. He also shared just how strong of a relationship that he has built in a short time with UGA offensive line coach Sam Pittman.

Thomas is rated as the nation’s No. 10 offensive tackle and the No. 49 overall prospect for 2017. He is considered the No. 5 player in Georgia this year.

The Pace Academy standout excels both on and off the field and participates in the school band. The 6-foot-5, 318-pounder was one of the driving forces behind a state championship season last year for the Knights.

The predictions on 247sports’s “Crystal Ball” feature are 100 percent to Georgia.

He is very close with Pace teammate Jamaree Salyer. Salyer is considered as the nation’s top offensive guard prospect for the Class of 2018. Salyer and Thomas have both indicated to DawgNation that the chances of them playing college football together are very high.

DawgNation recently rated him as the most important player on the UGA recruiting board for the Class of 2017 for that reason along with the fact that offensive tackle is a priority recruiting need at UGA for this year’s class. UGA coach Kirby Smart lamented about the lack of quality offensive tackles the program was able to sign in 2016. Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges. Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.