On the Plains with Caleb Wheatland: 'Forever grateful'

Caleb Wheatland wasted no time making an impact in his Jordan-Hare Stadium debut, making tackles on the first two plays of Auburn’s first preseason scrimmage.

“It feels good to be back out there, especially being in Jordan-Hare for the first time,” Wheatland said. “It was really fun to be out there, be ecstatic and make those plays.”

After three seasons at Maryland, the 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker transferred to Auburn for his senior year, adjusting to the heat and humidity of August in Alabama after growing up in Centreville, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C.

“The guys have been very welcoming,” said Wheatland, who’s teaming up on the Plains with fellow Maryland transfer Preston Howard, a tight end.

“I wanted to play in the SEC, get in the big level to get preparation for the league. What made me come here was knowing what DJ Durkin had to offer as a DC, what it’s like to be prepared for that next level. We’ve got a lot of upside coming into this next year.”

Wheatland has adjusted quickly to Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s system.

“It’s fast and aggressive,” Wheatland said. “We play a lot of different styles of defense.

“It’s given me a broader view on what it’s like to be in a different system and adapt to that well because anything can happen at the next level with that, going back and forth between different systems. I think I’ve fit in pretty well. There are always things to improve on every day so I’m grinding at that and trying to stack the days.”

A starter last season for the Terrapins, Wheatland has played in 35 college football games, recording 100 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

“I feel like I can diagnose plays pretty well,” he said,” and communication across the board. That’s all thanks to the experience before.”

Wheatland adds a physical style to complement his mental assets.

“Aggressive,” he said. “Play fast and go downhill. I like to play downhill.”

Wheatland’s football affinity started early.

“Football was always my main sport, ever since I was 6 years old,” he said. “I just stuck with it. It’s been something that I’ve always loved to do.”

Wheatland approaches football the same way now, even amid the demands of playing at college football’s highest level.

“I still treat it like a game,” he said. “Even though there’s a lot of pressure and outside noise that comes with it. Knowing what made me love the game in the first place. It was something I was able to go outside and play in the street with my friends.

“God blessed me with it to be able to come to college and have a scholarship and the opportunity to play in the Big Ten and the SEC. I’m forever grateful for that.”

Grounded in his faith, Wheatland’s spiritual life deepened at Maryland.

“My freshman year of college was when I decided to sit down and say, ‘God, I truly want to follow you. I really want you to show me the way and what it’s like to have a relationship with you,’” he said. “Since then, it’s been something I’ve always kept with me. Referring back to what my roots are and who my foundation is, which is Jesus Christ.”

Since his grandfather passed away in 2020, Wheatland’s tight-knit family includes his mother Dawn and his grandmother.

“It’s really been just us three,” said Caleb. “I’m going to try to get them down as much as possible.”

From Dawn Wheatland, Caleb learned a lesson in transportation that explains why even in the NIL and revenue share era, he drives a modest used sedan.

“There are certain purchases you can make later on in life that I think I will wait on,” he said. “My mom always taught me, whatever gets you from Point A to Point B, that’s all you need.”

After signing with Auburn in April, Wheatland is enjoying his new surroundings.

“It’s a lot more active,” he said. “Being around so many people who support and love Auburn. I’ve had somebody tell me if you love Auburn, then Auburn will love you back.”

As he did in his first Auburn scrimmage, Caleb Wheatland hopes for a similar instant impact in Auburn’s season opener Aug. 29 at Baylor.

“I expect a lot of great things,” he said. “Try not to worry about tomorrow, try to focus on what we have now. I’m very excited to see what we have as a team, especially going through camp and seeing how we can grow.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer

 

“I like to play downhill.”

In 3 seasons at Maryland, LB @CalebWheatland made 💯 tackles with 7.5 sacks & 14.5 TFL in 35 games.

Caleb on…

🏈 Fitting in w/ @AuburnFootball
🏈 His strengths (diagnosing plays)
🏈 His style (“aggressive”)#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/2UrB5PJ4kE

— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) August 5, 2025