Wooten's words: AU building something special

AUBURN | North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.) linebacker Chandler Wooten wasn’t able to attend Auburn’s BIG CAT in May, but an overnight visit last weekend gave the commitment a sample of the Tigers’ biggest recruiting event of the year.

Wooten was among a large group of recruits and commitments on Auburn’s campus for a non-football type visit.

“We had a really good time, just fellowshipped with each other and played a lot of games and video games,” Wooten said. “It wasn’t all about football. It was about being around people you enjoy being around.”

Wooten, who committed to the Tigers on May 13, arrived in Auburn Friday and stayed until Saturday evening. He teamed up with fellow commits, linebacker Tadarian Moultry and cornerback Malcolm Askew, to aid in Auburn’s recruitment of the other visitors. For Wooten, his primary target was four-star linebacker Tyler Taylor of Lanier in Sugar Hill, Ga.

“I was with him a big chunk of the day Saturday,” Wooten said. “We went on a tour together. I just let him know what the deal is at Auburn, that we really want him and are building something special.”

Wooten’s message is one he shares with other recruits as well, as do his fellow commitments. They all are working towards one common goal.

“The commitments are doing all we can to help this class be one of the top classes in the country,” Wooten said. “I talk to a lot of different guys that Auburn is recruiting like Tyler, (wide receiver) Jeremiah Holloman and (linebacker) K.J. Britt.

"I’m not pressuring anybody. I just tell them that we are starting something special at Auburn and that we’d love for them to be a part of it.”

Wooten, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 226 pounds, plans to return to Auburn July 23 for the Tigers’ team picnic.