Derrick Brown Sets Official Visits: Odds on Where 5-Star DT Lands

The SEC is expected to add a premier defensive tackle in Buford, Georgia, 5-star Derrick Brown. Over the weekend, Brown, the nation's No. 9 player overall and No. 3 defensive tackle, tweeted the schools he plans on taking an official visit to this season.

The SEC is expected to be Brown's future home. Which SEC school is the question.

Much of the recruiting world believes Brown is Georgia's to lose, and if the 6'4", 322-pound athlete's April quote still holds true, the Bulldogs should be excited about where they stand. However, the substance of official visits should never be counted out, as they are the perfect opportunities to help an open-minded recruit narrow his choices.

Here are some odds on where Brown ultimately ends up. These can change as he further prepares for his official visits.

Georgia (2-1)

Of the 28 prognosticators who participated in Brown's 247Sports Crystal Ball, all 28 have chosen the Bulldogs to win the recruiting race. It's a safe pick, as Brown is a big fan of head coach Mark Richt, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker and running backs coach Thomas Brown.

Brown once publicly considered Georgia as his favorite, but he backed away from that statement to keep all of his options open. If he chooses the Bulldogs, he'll join a solid class that already includes 5-star defensive tackle Julian Rochester, 4-star defensive end Chauncey Manac and 4-star defensive tackle Tyler Clark.

Proximity also could play a major role in Georgia being a front-runner. Athens, Georgia, is less than an hour away from Buford. As the state of Georgia's top-ranked player, Brown is a player the Bulldogs want to keep close to home.

Alabama (3-1)

As long as head coach Nick Saban is around, Alabama will be considered by many as a potential landing spot for elite recruits. The Crimson Tide always appear to be in the hunt for a national title, and being a consistent discussion piece in the highly competitive SEC gives them an advantage.

Alabama fans are envisioning a class with Brown and 4-stars Kendell Jones Jr., Raekwon Davis and Khalid Kareem as the foundation of the defensive line of the future. Brown is being recruited to Alabama by defensive line coach Bo Davis.

Alabama fans also will like the fact that during a recent 247Sports interview, Brown chose Bear Bryant when asked who he'd like to meet in history, dead or alive.

Auburn (3-1)

Auburn currently has 12 verbal commitments. Of the 12, five are 4-star players, and of those five, none are linemen.

This is where Auburn is hoping to make its selling pitch count. Brown can be the keystone to the defensive line and, as a 5-star talent, the overall headliner of the 2016 class. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner has spearheaded the charge in attempting to land Brown.

As for a side note, Auburn fans will be happy to know that one of Brown's all-time favorite players, according to a 247Sports interview, is Bo Jackson. He's made a few visits to Auburn, including one last week.

Mississippi State (4-1)

Why wouldn't Mississippi State be considered a school to watch? Both of Brown's parents went to Mississippi State, and he spent the first months of his life in Starkville, Mississippi. If anything, he knows the campus, and he knows the history of the program.

What some are wondering is if Brown will follow his parents' footsteps as a legacy or set his own college path. The Bulldogs are hoping to win him over come national signing day, and head coach Dan Mullen and defensive line coach David Turner have made him a priority of the class.

Brown would be Mississippi State's top-ranked commit if he chose to give his verbal pledge Monday. There's a shot he would be the Bulldogs' top-ranked signee overall when the ink is dry early February.

Tennessee (4-1)

Tennessee has 4-star defensive end Chidi Okonya committed. Adding Brown would give the Volunteers a solid nucleus for the future of the defensive line.

Head coach Butch Jones and defensive line coach Steve Stripling have high expectations for Brown, who visited the campus in June and also took in the school back in April. Collectively, Jones, Stripling and running backs coach Robert Gillespie have done a solid job of recruiting Brown.

The grind of recruiting can take its toll on an athlete. Brown's latest visit to Tennessee, however, was highlighted by a relaxed environment, one where he said he "didn't even talk recruiting," according to 247Sports' Ryan Callahan. Off-the-field camaraderie is key with every recruit.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles