No. 3 DT has 'strong' bond with AU

Derrick Brown's relationship with Auburn DL coach Rodney Garner has the Tigers in strong contention for the nation's No. 3 defensive tackle.

Derrick Brown has known Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner since Brown’s sophomore season, but Brown doesn’t know new Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Not yet.

“I’ll meet him for the first time this weekend,” Brown said.

The nation’s No. 3 defensive tackle is scheduled to arrive in Auburn on Friday for an official visit, and he won’t be alone.

“My mom, my dad, my brother, my sister and one of my teammates are coming with me,” Brown said. “I just want to enjoy myself down there. I’ve been there a lot so I’ve seen everything. There’s not anything I want to do other than relax and get to know the coaches better.”

None are more important on Brown’s list than Steele. Brown’s parents already have a head start on him.

“My mom and dad have talked to Coach Steele two or three times,” Brown said. “They said they liked him. I’ve done my research on him and everything checks out. He’s good. This weekend will be my first time meeting him so I’m looking forward to that.”

Brown, from Lanier in Sugar Hill, Ga., also plans to spend time with Garner during his visit. The two have developed a strong bond during the recruiting process, a bond that extends to Brown’s parents.

“I talked to Coach Garner (Tuesday night) and he’s looking forward to us visiting,” Brown said. “I haven’t seen him since recruiting went dead (Dec. 13). He was here the last day before the dead period so I’m looking forward to seeing him again. Coach Garner’s relationship with my mom and dad and my family is real strong.”

Brown already has visited Alabama (Dec. 7-9) and Mississippi State (Nov. 27-29). He’ll visit Georgia (Jan. 22-24) and Tennessee (Jan. 29-31) before announcing his choice between the five.

“I’ll decide on Signing Day,” Brown said.

Rivals.com ranks Brown No. 25 in the Rivals100 and No. 3 player from Georgia.