Auburn secured a Top 10 recruiting class for the fourth year in a row. But as a testament to how competitive recruiting in the SEC has become, the Tigers finished fifth in the conference on National Signing Day with the No. 9 class in the nation.

All of Auburn’s commits coming into the day signed a National Letter of Intent, giving the school 21 signees in the 2016 class.

Auburn capped the day by landing its biggest prospect. Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the top-rated prospect from Georgia, announced that he was committing to the Tigers. He had considered Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi State.

The 6-4, 317-pound Brown, a product of Buford, Ga., is considered the ninth-best overall prospect in the country, according to 247sports.com’s composite rankings.

“Defensive line class, I really believe, is best in the country,” coach Gus Malzahn told reporters. “Coach (Rodney) Garner did a wonderful job with that group.”

GOLDEN RECEIVER

Auburn got one of its biggest commits Tampa Catholic wideout Nate Craig-Myers chose the Tigers over North Carolina. Not long after, Craig-Myers’ half-brother, Jayvaughn Myers, a three-star cornerback, also chose Auburn.

John Franklin III, the No. 1 JUCO athlete in the class, is one of nine players already enrolled and on campus. The 6-2, 180-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College is expected to compete with Jeremy Johnson and Sean White for the starting QB spot.

“He’s going to get the chance to win the job,” Malzahn told reporters. “Our quarterback position is wide open.”

SEEING STARS?

Defensive standouts Marlon Davidson and Antwuan Jackson and wideout Kyle Davis – who are all ranked among the top 75 players in the nation – are three of Auburn’s six early enrollees who are also four-star prospects. Joining Davis on offense are fellow four-star receiver Eli Stove and 6-foot-5, 250-pounder Landon Rice, who fills a need at tight end. JUCO defensive end Paul James could also make an immediate impact.

“The wide receiver class is the tops in the country. Coach (Dameyune) Craig deserves a lot of credit,” Malzahn said.

SUNSHINE STATEMENT

Eight signees are from Florida. The rest of the class comes from the following states: Georgia (6), Alabama (5), North Carolina (1), and Ohio (1).

LAST-MINUTE CHANGES

There were several NSD development; as Auburn missed out on five-star linebacker Ben Davis, who picked Alabama. Davis’ father, Wayne, is the Crimson Tide’s career tackle leader.

Also, Auburn target Nigel Warrior committed to Tennessee over the Tigers and other schools. Rated the nation’s No. 4 safety, Warrior said Auburn closed the gap with the Volunteers, but he admitted it was just ‘too late’. In addition, Mack Wilson, the nation’s No. 2 outside linebacker prospect announced his commitment to Alabama over Auburn.

Plus, three-star defensive end David Marshall flipped from Auburn to Georgia.

SIGNEES

  • Derrick Brown, DE, five-star
  • Nate Craig-Myers, WR, four-star
  • Eli Stove, WR, four-star
  • Prince Sammons, DE, four-star
  • Woody Barrett, QB, four-star
  • Nick Coe, DL, four-star
  • Brodarious Hamm, OL  three-star
  • Marlon Character, S, three-star
  • Marquis McClain, WR, three-star
  • Tashawn Manning, DT, three-star
  • Daniel Thomas, S, three-star
  • Jayvaughn Myers, CB, three-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

  • Marlon Davidson, DE, four-star
  • Antwuan Jackson, DT, four-star
  • Kyle Davis, WR, four-star
  • Landon Rice, TE, four-star
  • John Broussard, CB, four-star
  • Paul James, DE, four-star (JUCO)
  • John Franklin, ATH, three-star (JUCO)
  • Tre Threat, OLB, three-star
  • Malik Miller, RB, three-star

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to recruiting rankings are to the 247Sports.com industry composite ranking.