AUBURN, Ala. - When senior linebacker Chandler Wooten began his journey at Auburn in the spring of 2017, he was unaware of the challenges he would face.
A heavily-recruited outside linebacker at North Cobb High in Kennesaw, Georgia, Wooten registered 124 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss as a senior while earning GHSA Class 7A all-state and regional defensive player of the year honors.
The first player from North Cobb to be play in the prestigious Under Armour All-America game, Wooten's prominence resulted in 29 Power Five offers from all over the country, but only one school stood out. Auburn had always been on his radar due to its location and history, so committing to the Plains was a no-brainer.
"Coming to Auburn was a pretty easy decision," Wooten said. "The first time I stepped on campus, it just felt different. I really liked how close it was to home. There was no other school that checked all of the boxes."
When Wooten arrived, he immediately went to work. From practices, film work, classes and studying, his jam-packed schedule was a large deviation from anything he had experienced before. Wooten used his solid work ethic and passion for football to earn a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
'Enjoy the journey': Chandler Wooten records a tackle for loss in 2019
"Enjoy the journey and your college experience," Wooten said. "Don't wait to focus on classwork or hold off on doing things you want to."
As a junior in 2019, Wooten made 27, including 4.5 tackles for loss, and recorded an interception.
Wooten was also named the 2019 Hard-Fighting Soldier by the campus Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a 2020 Wuerffel Trophy nominee. When Wooten graduated from Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts in December 2019 in interdisciplinary studies emphasizing psychology, sports coaching and leadership, he began working on a master's degree in adult education.
For Wooten, 2020 brought change and challenges. Shortly after receiving news that he would be a father, the Covid-19 pandemic shut down much of the world and left Wooten's 2020 season in question. During this time, the death of George Floyd resulted in tension and protests throughout the nation.
Wooten knew that he was created for more than football.
As the first player to opt out of the 2020 season, Wooten announced on Twitter that he would be stepping off the field. In addition to the safety of his family, he used his platform to voice his concerns about racial tensions in America. Wooten utilized his position to inspire change in Auburn, and his teammates backed him up.
"As exciting as it is, it comes with a great deal of responsibility," he said. "As a soon-to-be father, my No. 1 priority was the safety and well-being of my family. Unfortunately, playing the season was ultimately not a risk that I was willing to take.
"I am confident in my decision because I am confident in who holds my future in the palms of his hands. With God I know I can't lose, and after much thought, prayer and consideration I am sure that this is the best move for me at this moment."
Chandler with his son, Chance
While the Auburn Tigers continued their abbreviated 2020 season, Wooten stayed home and helped take care of his newborn son, Chance. It was the first time he was able to focus on academics without balancing the demands of athletics. He was able to be a full-time father.
By using the pandemic as a way to appreciate what being a student-athlete meant to him, Wooten found new ways to use his platform to tackle even bigger issues. Interacting with followers on Twitter, he began sending out tweets supporting Black Lives Matter, and standing in solidarity with protesters.
"Having time to sit down during the pandemic and re-calibrate really made my priorities different and gave me a new perspective," he said. "It was tough because it was the first time since I was a kid that I had ever gone without football. It gave me a newfound respect for the small things."
As a member of the Auburn Athletics task force on inclusion and race, Wooten played a pivotal role in starting the conversation in Auburn.
"Take what you feel and place it into action," he said. "Now that I have a young son, I want to be a good example for him as well, so it's bigger than me. I see that we need change, and I want to be a part of it."
Along with the newfound challenges of being a father, Wooten's return to the program this spring brought new responsibilities as a teammate. His familiar routine of juggling football and academics now needed to accommodate an infant.
"My biggest challenge balancing school work and football responsibilities would have to be trying to be integrated with the team, and also spending time with my family," he said. "At first, it was hard to manage my sleep schedule, since I was always waking up in the middle of the night."
When Wooten steps out on the field this fall, he will be playing as a leader not only for Auburn, but also for his son.
After Wooten graduates with his master's degree in December, he plans to prepare for the NFL draft. As he gets ready for his final season on the Plains, he wants to thank all of the members of the Auburn family for their support during his time on campus.
"To our fans, we missed you, and your energy that you bring day in and day out," he said. "The interaction between fans and players really makes all the difference. I am ready to give this season all I have."
Madison Larson is a student worker in Auburn Athletics media relations