Notebook: No. 1 to visit

[rl]

BALTIMORE, Md. | Auburn signed Rivals.com's No. 1 overall prospect in last year's class for the first time in school history. Now, they've got a shot to do it for a second year in a row.

Wake Forest (N.C.) High five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence plans to visit Auburn this summer on a southern swing that will include stops at several schools including Alabama and Florida.

"I'm definitely coming during the summer but I don't know really when right now," Lawrence said.

Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp visited Lawrence at his school last month.

"Every school is pretty even. I won't really know where I want to go until I get out and start visiting," said Lawrence, who has more than 30 offers.

Lawrence, 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, is competing at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge this weekend.

"It just shows that people recognize how hard I've been working. I'm just here to showcase my talents," he said.

CLOSE TO CRAIG: Pembroke (Fla.) Flanagan four-star wide receiver Dredrick Snelson has developed a close relationship with Auburn wide receiver coach Dameyune Craig.

"He's just a cool and humbling guy. You can talk to him about anything," Snelson said. "He tells me I'm a big, physical receiver and I could come in and do what I do best. I feel like this year they're going to spread the ball around more because they have more receiver threats, and they're going to throw the ball around a lot."

Snelson, 6-foot and 200 pounds, lists a top five (no order) of Auburn, Miami, Florida State, UCF and Virginia Tech. He plans to announce a commitment at The Opening in July or in connection with an all-star game in January.

Snelson already has visited Auburn three times.

"Everything is just perfect to me at Auburn from the campus to the facilities, the people. It's just a good environment," he said.

LOVING HIS 30: Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge Rivals100 safety Nigel Warrior has 30 offers and likes each and every one.

"I love all my 30 but I'll start breaking it down soon," Warrior said. "By the beginning of the season I'll have 13 to 10. Then by the middle of the season I'll have five and by the end I'll have three. From there, Signing Day."

Warrior, 6-foot and 185 pounds, said Auburn is "going to be in there" when he makes his first cut.

He stays in close contact with Auburn defensive back coach Travaris Robinson.

"I stay in touch with Coach T-Rob all the time," Warrior said. "It's a pretty good relationship because we keep it real with each other. Auburn is a good school. They're building up on defense and getting better every day. The offense is already good."

Warrior is the son of former Tennessee standout Dale Carter.

GARNER MAKING INROADS: Forsyth (Ga.) Mary Persons four-star 2017 defensive end Malik Herring has already developed a close relationship with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner.

"He's recruiting me very hard. He's the best," Herring said. "He's a great coach. Every time we talk, we get closer and closer. I didn't know he was real laid back and I went to Big Cat and he was a real cool person. I like the way he coaches and I like the way he acts."

Herring, 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds, attended Auburn's Big Cat last weekend.

"It was great," he said. "From the minute I first stepped foot in the door to the minute I left, I loved it. The coaches showed me great love and showed me they really want me there."

Herring said Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Tennessee are also recruiting him hard. He doesn't list any current favorites.

"I'm going to wait until I visit some more schools and I'm going to narrow it to my top five, maybe top six during football season," Herring said.

He is one of a handful of 2017 prospects competing at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge this weekend.

"It means a lot. It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm going to go out there and work hard and hopefully not lose to anybody in 1-on-1's."

From Allie Davison...

NICE PICKUP FOR AU: Five-star wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers wanted to know which 2016 quarterback would commit to Auburn. On Wednesday, he got his answer in three-star Winter Garden, Fla., Woody Barrett.

"I know he is a great player," Craig-Myers said. "It shakes a lot of things up because now I know that I would have a quarterback my entire career there. That's a big deal."

The No. 1 wide receiver de-committed from the Tigers in May, but they continue to be at the top of his leader board. He attended Big Cat Weekend with his brother three-star cornerback Jayvaughn Myers last weekend. Ohio State and Florida State are also in the mix.

MAKING A CONNECTION: Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown no longer has a favorite, but Auburn gained some ground on long-time leader Georgia last weekend due to strong work by Garner.

"He is an awesome guy," Brown said. "He has always been one of my favorites. It was nice to hangout with my family and friends in a relaxing environment. It wasn't all about recruiting and serious stuff. It made me think a lot."

Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee continue to be the four schools recruiting him the hardest. He has no plans on making a final decision any time soon.