Georgia linebacker has AU on top

Tucker (Ga.) linebacker Justin Garrett has maintained the Tigers on top for awhile now, and after an unofficial visit to Auburn on Saturday with his parents, nothing has changed.

"My parents and I went to Auburn, we had fun," Garrett said. "Auburn is my leader, they are pretty far out in front."

Three others schools are behind Auburn on Garrett's list, those being Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound linebacker from Georgia had already made three trips to Auburn before, but Saturday was the first trip to Auburn for Garrett's parents. After a full campus tour, they seemed as impressed with Auburn as Garrett according to him.

"They liked it a lot, they thought it was amazing," Garrett said. "They loved the academics, the weight room, the coaching staff, the buildings, everything."

Meanwhile, Garrett was making his fourth trip to Auburn, and may have liked this visit the best.

Garrett arrived to Auburn mid morning, and had the opportunity to have a more intimate tour of the campus, as well as a one-on-one meeting with Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof. He said the chance to visit with no other recruits around was something he enjoyed.

"I just took a tour of the school, the dorms, the weight room, had a chance to talk to the strength and conditioning coach, the academic advisors, and the coaching staff," Garrett said. "I just got the full tour of everything. It was a one-on-one tour this time, so we got to see the whole campus and talk one-on-one with coach Roof."

With a day full of attractions for Garrett to take in, it was Auburn's facilities that caught his eye. The weight room and Jordan-Hare Stadium were on full display, and they were the two things Garrett enjoyed seeing the most.

"I think the weight room, and the stadium were my favorite parts," Garrett said. "I got a chance to talk to the strength and conditioning coach, how they workout and how competitive they are. It was the first time I had taken a tour of the stadium before. I had been in the stands, but I had never been to the locker rooms."

Roof has been Garrett's lead recruiter, and the two have formed a solid relationship so far. Roof sees Garrett as a potential weak side linebacker for the Tigers in the future, something that sounds appealing to Garrett.

"We just talked about when I'd make a decision, and the scheme and how I'd fit in," Garrett said. "He said I'd be at weak outside linebacker, pretty much playing one-on-one with tight ends, running backs, blitzing off the edge, fitting in for the run, and dropping back into coverage. Basically what I do in high school."

Roof has already impressed Garrett, but Saturday it was Garrett's parents turn to meet with Roof, a meeting Garrett says went very well.

"He talked one-on-one with my parents," Garrett said. "They think he would be a real good coach for me, to help take me to the next level."

The three-star defender already has a comfort level with Auburn, and it was important for his parents to get that same feel on their first visit as well.

"It was important for them to see what Auburn is all about, like I have," Garrett said.

Next on the table for Garrett is getting ready for the season opener on September 9th. He also plans to make a decision before the season starts, but don't expect any elaborate plans. Garrett says he will likely just call the coaches and commit, and not make too big a deal about it.

Garrett confirms though that it would take a lot to knock Auburn off the top of his list, saying, "they are a pretty heavy favorite."