Auburn, South Carolina battle early for No. 10 defensive tackle

AUBURN | An SEC battle is brewing for MJ Webb. The four-star defensive tackle from Morgan County (Ga.) has Auburn and South Carolina at the top his list.

“Those are the two that stand out the most right now,” Webb said.

Webb, who is ranked the No. 10 defensive tackle, visited the Gamecocks last week and the Tigers on Saturday.

“I enjoyed both of them,” Webb said of the visits.

Webb was in Auburn for the Tigers’ first big Junior Day of the year. He arrived early Saturday and spent most of the day with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner and coach Gus Malzahn. Webb already is familiar with Auburn. He had visited the Plains several times before, including in January.

“Coach Malzahn said that he knew I loved it here,” Webb said. “He really wants me over here. He said that I fit in here.”

Webb doesn’t disagree.

“He’s right. I do fit in here (Auburn),” Webb said. “But I have to see how the recruiting process plays out.”

Webb also likes South Carolina, most notably its new head coach. The Gamecocks hired former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp in December.

“I have a good relationship with him," Webb said of Muschamp. "He was part of my recruitment (at Auburn) and now he’s (at South Carolina),” Webb said.

Good enough to make for an early and interesting battle.

“It will be a good competition between Auburn and South Carolina,” Webb said. “(My decision) will probably be during the season.”

Webb, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs 272 pounds, plans to visit Georgia next. The Bulldogs and others aren’t off Webb’s list. They’re just lower than Auburn and South Carolina.