5-Star DTs Julian Rochester, Derrick Brown Praise UGA: 'It Feels Like Home'

On the heels of landing 5-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson in the 2015 class, Georgia head coach Mark Richt and his staff have positioned themselves well with two more prized in-state defensive linemen in 2016 5-star standouts Derrick Brown and Julian Rochester.

The two Atlanta-area stars were both on hand at the Nike Opening Atlanta Regional, with Brown participating and Rochester sitting out due to an arm injury.

However, when both players took the time to break down their recruitments, it became clear that Richt and his staff built a strong bond that will be tough for each of them to overcome.

“I love the atmosphere there,” Brown told Bleacher Report. “When I go there, it feels like home.”

For his part, Rochester agreed with his good friend.

“I like Coach Rocker, Coach Pruitt and Coach Richt,” Rochester said. “All of them, Coach Sherrer too. They just treat me like family, and they have since I was a youngster. It’s been cool to go through this process and have them build that relationship with me.”

Aside from Georgia, both players have similar schools who are chasing them.

Auburn, in particular, along with Alabama, lead the pack of schools who are pushing for the Peach State defenders. Both players mentioned Auburn as a school that has done a good job in recruiting them.

However, considering that Georgia has been aggressive in trying to keep its top homegrown talent from heading to Athens, it will be tough to pull them from their home state.

Rochester notes that he and Brown, along with Antwuan Jackson—who took home the MVP honors for the defensive line at the camp—have discussed the idea of playing together at the next level.

“Me and Antwuan [Jackson] talk about that every day,” Rochester said. “That’s like my brother. We talk about it. We always go through it together and we’re looking at some of the same schools. We look at it individually too, for the schemes and how we fit too. But it would be cool though if it worked out.”

Brown acknowledged that he’s brainstormed about the possibility. But, he also said it wouldn’t be a determining factor for his recruitment.

“I mean if it happens, it happens,” Brown said. “It would be cool because we’d be a pretty dominant team.”

Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker were able to land one of the nation’s top defensive line classes in 2015, with Thompson being the headliner.

If they can close the deal on elite prospects such as Brown and Rochester, the Bulldogs defensive front has the potential to develop into one of the nation’s most talented units.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.