Julian Rochester Reveals Top 5: Which Team Is Best Fit for 5-Star DT?

Mammoth Georgia defender Julian Rochester isn't nearing a collegiate commitment quite yet, but the 5-star prospect is primarily focused on five programs at this point.

"In order, it'd probably be Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU and then Georgia," he told Kipp Adams of 247Sports.

Rochester, a 6'5.5", 300-pound junior at McEachern High School, is the latest top-tier recruit to emerge at the perennial Peach State powerhouse. Offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (USC) and running back Taj Griffin (Oregon) headlined the team's 2014 class, opting to head west for the next phase of their football careers.

Rochester's recruitment has a far more local feel to it so far. He appears intent on staying put in the Southeast based on his list of top contenders. 

The process began early for Rochester, who collected offers from Auburn, Clemson, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Miami, Georgia and Alabama before the end of his sophomore year. 

Rated fourth nationally among defensive tackles in 247Sports' composite rankings, Rochester is considered a top-20 overall prospect in the 2016 class.

He earned all-state honors in 2014. His junior campaign included 116 tackles—featuring 25 for loss—and 12 sacks. 

Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani scouted Rochester as part of B/R's CFB 100 Future Series. He gave the lineman significant praise and pointed out his versatility:

"

I saw Rochester live twice last season and was blown away by his athleticism and power. I viewed Rochester one week after I saw [top-rated 2015 defensive tackle] Trent Thompson and came away with similar impressions of both players.

Rochester may not be as big or powerful as Thompson, but his athleticism and ability to play multiple spots on the line makes him one of the elite prospects in this cycle. At one of the games I attended, coaches from Auburn and Florida State were paying close attention to Rochester all night.

"

Auburn currently sits ahead of the pack in this pursuit, based on comments he made to Adams.

"[Auburn] jumped on me first," Rochester said. "They still talk to me as much as possible, keep in touch and make sure they see me every time they come up there. They make me feel at home when I go there."

The Tigers did an excellent job in Georgia during the 2015 recruiting cycle and continued to push hard late trying to flip eventual 5-star Bulldogs signees Thompson and Terry Godwin. Head coach Gus Malzahn ultimately landed nine players (one-third of his 2015 class) from the Peach State.

The team did an excellent job addressing needs along the defensive front on national signing day earlier this month, landing top-rated pass-rusher Byron Cowart and promising 6'8" prospect Prince Tega Wanogho.

Auburn is off to a solid start in the 2016 cycle, highlighted by a pledge from 5-star wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers. The staff's solid relationship with Rochester is apparent, as he was willing to pronounce the program as his primary leader.

"(They tell me) how great the place is, what type of player I am and how much of an impact I could make," he said. "Just getting there and jumping into the system, it would be a fun, humbling experience."

Rochester traveled to campus twice during the 2014 season. Consider him a lock to return for an official visit weekend next autumn.

Mark Richt is once again battling with Malzahn for the top defensive prospect in his home state. Thompson will arrive in Athens with All-American expectations after flirting with Alabama, Auburn and others during his recruitment.

The potential to pair him with a talent like Rochester in 2016 should have Georgia fighting hard for his commitment through next signing day. He's a top target for a class that already features fellow 5-stars Jacob Eason (quarterback) and Ben Cleveland (offensive tackle). 

Clemson claimed a pair of premier defensive tackles during the 2015 cycle, securing signatures from 5-star Christian Wilkins and 4-star Albert Huggins. Dabo Swinney is working to deliver his program into playoff contention on perennial basis, and enhancements on defense are key for a team typically known for its high-flying offensive attack.

Clemson welcomed Rochester to campus for camp last summer. The program will look to set up a return trip as soon as possible, as he could take a strong 2016 Tigers class to even greater heights. 

Swinney picked up commitments from 5-star running back Tavien Feaster and 4-star wide receiver Cornell Powell earlier this month. However, Clemson currently holds just one defensive pledge in a class that carries seven players and rates sixth nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Florida State is also off to a strong start on the 2016 recruiting trail. The Seminoles already hold commitments from 5-star quarterback Malik Henry, top-rated tight end Isaac Nauta and a trio of 4-star defensive linemen (Cedric Wood, Janarius Robinson and Josh Brown).

Jimbo Fisher continues to stockpile elite talent along the defensive front, highlighted by 5-star defensive end and 2015 early enrollee Josh Sweat. The team whiffed on a few key tackle targets during the past cycle, so expect that position to be a point of emphasis in Tallahassee during the year ahead. 

Credit: 247Sports

LSU is one of three SEC squads sitting among Rochester's favorites, and you can be sure he sits near the top of defensive line coach Ed Orgeron's 2016 "wish list." The recent staff addition is recognized as an ace recruiter and one of the most respect assistant coaches at his position of focus.

Les Miles was the latest to extend an offer on Rochester's list of top suitors, extending the scholarship last June. Late, of course, is a relative term when discussing a recruitment that began heating up back in 2013. 

A campus visit is key for establishing greater rapport between Rochester and the staff in Baton Rouge, so expect LSU to work ardently to schedule something within in the next few months. The team failed to add significant beef to its defensive interior during the 2015 recruiting cycle and has yet to land a 2016 defensive tackle, so look for that spot to be addressed with multiple additions. 

Rochester brings a level of talent and physical frame that should result in immediate collegiate reps if he arrives on campus ready to work. He identified "playing time, chances of going to the league, education and coaches" as crucial components of the decision, though he expects to wait until signing day for an official announcement. 

Given the amount of time that separates now and then, there are ample opportunities for Rochester to deeply research and consider each contender. Other programs could also end up making a push and enter the equation.

As things stand now, a role at the center of Will Muschamp's defensive front in Auburn appears to be the most alluring. He would be bookended by elite pass-rushers in an aggressive scheme, freeing up space for him to wreak havoc inside. 

The situation will change at each school before signing day 2016, especially when the inevitable coaching carousel starts to spin again next winter. For now, we'll give his apparent favorite the edge and anticipate he ends up at Auburn.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.