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Auburn Football Recruiting: Highly-coveted DT Derrick Brown picks Tigers over UGA

By Michael Collins

Oct 31, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Aubie, Auburn Tigers mascot, leads the team through Tiger Walk prior to the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Aubie, Auburn Tigers mascot, leads the team through Tiger Walk prior to the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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The National Signing Day mystery for highly-coveted defensive tackle Derrick Brown is over, and the Lanier High School prospect has chosen Auburn football.

Depending on which recruiting service you pay attention to, Brown could have been headed to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama or his eventual pick, Auburn. He played his recruitment very close to the vest, and never really gave an indication of which way he was leaning.

Related Story: 5-Star Athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. Commits to Georgia

The 6’4, 317-pound lineman will be a huge addition for the Tigers, and this is yet another 5-star addition to a group that has seen a number of them lately. Keeping the No. 1 recruit in the state at home was a priority for Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, but his helicopter trip to visit Brown wasn’t enough to overcome the lure of the Plains.

This is the first time Auburn has ever pulled the number one recruit in the state of Georgia away from their borders.

Brown is an explosive lineman with a quick first step, and tremendous strength (which will be needed against SEC offensive lines), and he’s going to be looked at as a potential pass game disruption and quarterback nightmare, as well as a huge run-stopper which Auburn needs.

From Brown’s Scout.com player analysis:

"“[Derrick] Brown has the frame of a true defensive tackle, but he is athletic enough to play some strongside end on the next level too. Quick off the ball and gets consistent penetration. Has improved pad level, but can still play with better leverage in the trenches. Stopping the run is an area he’s become better at as a junior, but he is best at shooting th gaps, chasing the ball, and getting after the quarterback.”"

More saturday blitz: Five SEC QB Recruits Who Could Start as Freshmen

Keep up with all the commits on National Signing Day with our Saturday Blitz live commit tracker, which will be updated all day today as the commits roll in.

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