Georgia linebacker has Vols in top five after visit
Tennessee had one of it's biggest and most talented junior days ever on Saturday with high profile players from throughout the South spending the afternoon in Knoxville.
One of those was Kennesaw, Ga. linebacker Chandler Wooten who made the first of what he expects to be two trips in the next six weeks to see the Vols.
“Today was great,” the 6-3, 229-pound Wooten offered. “It was great to finally get on campus see the facilities and meet with the coaches. My family really enjoyed ourselves.
“It exceeded all my expectations. It was great to finally see everything in person that I have seen online. It was great to see it in person and to visit with the coaches.”
Even though Tennessee had a lot of prospects on campus, Wooten said he got to spend a lot of time with the coaching staff, including starting his day off with the head coach.
“I definitely got to spend a lot of time with the coaches," Wooten said. "As soon as I got here I went straight up to coach (Butch) Jones' office along with my family. I definitely got to spend time with the coaches I wanted to talk to.
“We talked a lot about academics because that is very important to me. We talked a lot about what they offer academically. And of course after this year, they will need a couple of linebackers come to come in. They were just expressing their need for linebackers.”
Wooten, who will be a mid-term enrollee, has interest in being a broadcaster, a program he was impressed with on Saturday.
Wooten currently has plenty of options with 29 offers. Tennessee offered a year ago, but Saturday was Wooten's first chance to be on campus and it was a trip he was looking forward to.
“They offered me last April. I was supposed to come last November but something came up so I have been eyeing making this trip for a while," Wooten explained. “It was more than what I expected. It definitely opened my eyes a little bit.”
The Vols are currently in Wooten's top five joining Auburn, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. Wooten had hoped to make a decision next month, but he doesn't see that as a realistic option as he wants to see more of his top five.
“I have been to Florida, Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina," Wooten said. "Tennessee was my last junior day right now, I'm just going to sit back and weigh all my options. After that, I will make a list of where all I'm going for spring practices.
“I had planned on doing it April 25, which is my birthday, but I don't think I will be able to meet that deadline so I will just push it back. This is not a decision you can rush.
“I will be back here for spring practice during my spring break.”
As for the football part, Wooten liked what he heard from defensive coordinator Bob Shoop in terms of how he would be used if he wore the orange and white.
“Basically his message to me was they don't really have a particular scheme," Wooten said. "Their scheme fits around the players they recruit. They feel like I can play inside and outside so they definitely see me coming in and being very active in their defense.”
Whenever Wooten's decision is made, it will center around one word and that is fit. Fit schematically, academically and socially.
“Really just where I feel most comfortable at,” Wooten said. “Every school has great facilities and coaches. So it's wherever I feel best at. Wherever I fit in best.“This is a decision I definitely don't want to rush. I definitely want to take my time with it so it might drag out a little bit.”