Mecole Hardman, Jr. is the nation’s best athlete for a reason.

Hardman, a 5-star athlete from Elbert County High School, plays quarterback for his team but will either transition to wide receiver or cornerback in college. Here’s the most impressive part: he doesn’t practice at either position for his school.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder released his top 10 list this morning in a flashy Bleacher Report video. Here’s his top 10 in no order: UGA, Tennessee, Alabama, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Florida, Michigan, Stanford and Auburn.

The Army All-American Bowl participant has named UGA and Tennessee as co-leaders for most of the last year, and both schools made the cut. But are they still ahead of the other eight schools?

“They are still among the top, but I have no set leaders,” Hardman told the AJC. “I’m trying to look at everybody equally.”

UGA is thought to be the favorite to land the nation’s No. 1 athlete, and he told us why the Bulldogs made the cut.

“They are great school close to home and I feel comfortable with them,” Hardman said. “I love the coaching staff along with the players and they have a great education program.”

A couple of months ago, he said he will not take officials to two schools in particular, but there’s really nothing to worry about.

“I’m not taking an official visit to Georgia or Tennessee,” Hardman told the AJC. “I’ve been to those schools plenty of times. Those are the two schools for sure that I know I will not take an official visit to. I probably won’t take one to Florida, either. I don’t know about Alabama — that one is still up in the air.”

At this point, it would surprise a lot of people if he did not go to either Georgia or Tennessee. But a lot can change between now and signing day.

Hardman is expected to silently commit before making his announcement public on National Signing Day.