Signing Day Spotlight: Derrick Brown

The Sugar Hill (Ga.) Lanier standout has an unofficial top three of Auburn, Tennessee and Alabama, but some still think the home-state Georgia Bulldogs have a chance to keep him close to home on Wednesday. Mississippi State rounds out his top five, which he still works from.

Last week, Georgia coach Kirby Smart showed up to Brown’s school in a helicopter and there’s no reason to go to that extreme unless the Bulldogs’ coaching staff still felt like they had a chance.

However it’s sliced, it looks like Brown, who shined at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, will end up in the SEC. Now it’s just a question of which school.

Here is analysis from someone who covers each of Brown’s frontrunners heading into his decision:

“Rodney Garner has been recruiting Derrick Brown since before he was hired as Auburn's defensive line coach. The relationship the two have developed is unmatched, and that will be a key reason why the Tigers land the five-star talent over Tennessee. Auburn's depth chart also speaks for itself, and Brown is the type of recruit who has done his in-depth research on each of his top programs. He has visited the Plains more times than one could count over the last three years, and Auburn has made him a top priority since day one. That will pay off come Wednesday.” – Allie Davison, AuburnSports.com

"Brown is one of the few prospects in today's recruiting atmosphere that has managed to keep things relatively close to the vest leading up to Signing Day. Tennessee did receive the last official visit from the five-star defensive tackle, but information has been hard to come by. Certainly, there are those who believe Tennessee impressed Brown and his family during their official visit, but that was the same sentiment coming out of his Auburn visit. We do believe this is coming down to Auburn and Tennessee, but the way Brown has kept information from leaking out, it's anyone's guess as to where he chooses come Wednesday afternoon." – Paul Fortenberry, VolQuest.com

“There aren't many recruits left on Georgia's board who mean as much to the Bulldogs as Brown. He brings the combination of size, power, and skill that Kirby Smart wants to begin building around in his first class in Athens. That being said, this one looks like a toss up heading into Signing Day. Without Tracy Rocker, the Bulldogs would likely already be out of it, but retaining the defensive line coach has kept them in the running. Whether the chance to represent the home team is a big enough lure remains to be seen, but Georgia fans -- and coaches -- will be holding their collective breath when the five-star tackle makes his announcement. Landing him would be a coup. Losing him would sting more than a little.” – Jake Reuse, UGASports.com

"There has been a lot of mixed feelings regarding which school Derrick Brown will sign with on Wednesday. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee have been in the race for a long time. He hasn't visited Alabama since December, when he took an official visit. Most believe Alabama is on the outside for the five-star lineman. Alabama remains in the hunt. However, Brown is likely to sign elsewhere." – Andrew Bone, TideSports.com