Nathan Pickering supports Gus Malzahn’s decision to hire Marcus Woodson as Auburn’s tenth assistant.

Malzahn wanted an elite recruiter to fill the position, and Pickering, a four-star defensive end in the 2019 class, believes the Tigers’ head coach landed one in Woodson.

“Coach Woodson is an excellent recruiter,” Pickering said. “He’s an excellent recruiter and an excellent coach.”

Pickering, from Seminary, Miss., should know. He’s been recruited by Woodson since his sophomore season. Woodson, while at Memphis, recruited and offered Pickering.

Pickering has seen what kind of recruiter Auburn is getting in Woodson.

“He’s great,” Pickering said. “He takes time on visits to make sure you see everything. He makes sure you get to talk to players face to face. And he always talks to you, asks what is going on with you. He’s just always checking up on you.”

The attention Pickering received from Woodson hasn’t slowed since Woodson accepted the Auburn position. If anything, it has increased.

“Auburn is recruiting me harder than anyone right now,” Pickering said.

The Tigers offered Pickering earlier this week. Pickering already had several SEC and ACC offers, but the one from Auburn was special.

“I was so excited,” Pickering said. “That is one of the offers I was looking to get. Auburn, to me, is a great school.”

Pickering has reasons for his high interest in the Tigers. Woodson is one, but not the only one.

“I like a lot of things about Auburn,” Pickering said. “Auburn plays good, hard football. They play with heart. Auburn has a good atmosphere that I would love to play in. It’s just seems like a great fit for me.”

Pickering plans to visit Auburn soon.

“I’m talking to them about coming over for one of their junior days,” he said.

Pickering stopped short of naming the Tigers his leader, but said Auburn will be a contender for him throughout his recruitment.

“Auburn is a great school and I really like it,” Pickering said. “Auburn is a school that definitely is standing out to me right now.”

Pickering isn’t in a rush to make his college decision. He plans to take several visits, including all five official visits, before announcing a commitment.

In 13 games as a junior, Pickering recorded 85 tackles, 31 solos, 39 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and 21 quarterback-hurries. He also had four passes batted down, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and scored four touchdowns (three receiving and one rushing).

Rivals ranks Pickering, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 275 pounds, the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the 2019 class, the No. 3 overall player in Mississippi and No. 107 in the Rivals250.