Auburn makes good impression on Mississippi's top DL
AUBURN | Nathan Pickering, the top defensive lineman in Mississippi, visited Auburn this weekend, and he’s glad he did.
The four-star was one of approximately 70 juniors in Auburn for the Tigers’ first big Junior Day.
“The trip was great,” Pickering said. “Auburn is somewhere I wanted to experience and I loved it. I’m glad that I came.”
Pickering arrived in Auburn on Saturday and stayed until Sunday. He met with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner and area recruiter Marcus Woodson.
“(Garner) is cool,” Pickering said. “He’s like a father figure to me. He seems like someone who I would love to be coached by. And I’ve known (Woodson) since he was at Memphis. He’s a great guy and treated me like I knew he would treat me.”
Pickering also met and spoke with Auburn junior defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
“He’s a great dude all around,” Pickering said of Brown. “He really knows what he’s doing here. He does what he needs to do. I was impressed that he still pays his tithes in church. I’m a Christian so that is stuff I like to hear. He’s just a great all-around dude.”
Pickering made the trip from his home in Seminary, Miss. He was joined by his uncle, as well as close friend and four-star receiver Dannis Jackson. Both Pickering and Jackson, who is from Sumrall, Miss., were impressed on their visits.
“I was talking to Dannis and he’s really loving Auburn, and I’m loving Auburn,” Pickering said. “Dannis is my dog. I love him. We treat each other good and look after each other. We’ll both be considering Auburn.”
Pickering said the Tigers would be among his favorites when he lists them in the summer.
“They obviously will be a factor for me,” Pickering said. “When I put my top schools out, Auburn will be high on it. I loved it here.”
This weekend’s visit won’t be Pickering’s final visit to Auburn.
“I’ll definitely be back,” he said. “Anytime I get a chance to come here, I’m coming.”
Rivals ranks Pickering the No. 3 overall player in Mississippi, the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the 2019 class and No. 107 in the Rivals250.
