Auburn's Hand visits Rivals100 OT, has Tigers in top 3 with FSU, UT

Auburn OL coach Herb Hand visited with Rivals100 OT Landon Dickerson and has the Tigers in the OT's top three with two weeks left until Signing Day, Feb. 3.

Auburn's new offensive line coach already is making an impact on the recruiting trail.

Herb Hand, who was recently hired by Gus Malzahn to replace J.B. Grimes, made an in-home visit with Rivals100 offensive tackle Landon Dickerson on Wednesday. Hand's visit solidified the Tigers in Dickerson's top three with less than two weeks left before Signing Day.

"Auburn is definitely still in it, especially after meeting with Coach Hand" Dickerson said. "That really helped. It was my first time meeting him, and he seems like a really good coach and a nice guy. We didn't talk much about football, but everything else. He seems like a really good guy."

Dickerson took an official visit to Auburn in November and since has had the Tigers among his favorites. Even with the change at offensive line coach, Auburn remains in his top group. Dickerson lists six finalists: Tennessee, Florida State, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

"Some schools are ahead of the others," Dickerson said. "Tennessee, Florida State and Auburn are definitely ahead, especially with the relationships I've had with them for so long. Coach Grimes left, but Coach Malzahn is still there and he has a great program going."

Dickerson is scheduled to visit Alabama this weekend and either Georgia or Tennessee on Jan. 29-31.

Malzahn will make an in-home visit with Dickerson next week. Dickerson plans to announce his college choice on Signing Day. Rivals.com ranks Dickerson the No. 43 player in the Rivals100 and No. 2 from North Carolina.