AU makes move for JUCO tight end

AUBURN | Sal Cannella has a tough decision to make, a decision he plans to make within the next few days.

The tight end from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College will announce Wednesday,the first day of the signing period for junior college mid-year transfers, where he will continue his college career.

"I'll sit down, go through my options and figure out my best fit and make a decision from there," Cannella said.

Cannella will choose either Auburn, Maryland or Texas. He visited Maryland last weekend and will trek to Texas on Saturday for a one-night visit.

Cannella visited Auburn for the first time Thursday-Saturday.

"It was great. It was everything I expected," Cannella said of his Auburn visit. "I have a bunch of boys at Scottsdale from the South and they told me what to expect, and it was everything I expected and more."

Cannella and his father toured Auburn's campus and facilities after arriving Thursday. The two also spent an extensive amount of time with tight ends coach Scott Fountain. Cannella said Auburn would use him in the offense as it did with former tight end C.J. Uzomah, who now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

"They compared me to C.J.," Cannella said. "They think I can do a lot of things. I could fit outside, be the No. 2 or 3 or even the 1. They think I'm very versatile."

Auburn fullback Chandler Cox and quarterback Sean White served as Cannella's player hosts during the visit. The three developed a quick friendship.

"They are like my friends back home," Cannella said. "I fit in great. It felt like I had known them forever."

Cannella spent Saturday morning at coach Gus Malzahn's house.

"Coach Malzahn is a great guy," Cannella said. "I went to his house and he has a great family. He's a real personable guy. I love everything he's about. He loves to win. He loves the kids, and that's a big part of it."

Cannella, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 228 pounds, left his visit with several reasons to choose the Tigers on Wednesday.

"The tradition, and (the SEC is) the best competition in the country," Cannella said. "You're playing against the best, and if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. I've always wanted to play in the SEC. That's been one of my things."

Cannella will announce his decision Wednesday via his Twitter account.

"It's really about where I feel best at, where I feel the most comfortable and where I could make the biggest impact," Cannella said.

Cannella, who originally is from Chicago, Ill., is freshman qualifier and will have four years to play three at a four-year school.

Cannella had 29 receptions for 443 yards (15.3 avg.) and seven touchdowns in his only season at Scottsdale.