We talk with captains Chandler Wooten and Owen Pappoe today. Click refresh, will continue to update...
CHANDLER WOOTEN
** it was awesome to be told by Harsin he was voted a permanent captain. To go from opting out to returning and earning my teammate's respect is a blessing and honor.
** Talked to Harsin about 45 minutes in first meeting. Talked a lot about life and goals. Walking out, he knew that was the kind of coach he wants to play for. Told Harsin he was a leader in that first meeting.
** Says he would have had the same questions has Harsin, questioning his commitment, if he was in Harsin's place. He's glad they had that conversation.
** Nehemiah Pritchett has a different level of focus. He's more confident and locked in more. He's a quiet guy but gets after it when he's on the field. Can play inside and outside, a great player.
** Yet to be proven how this LB group stacks up against previous units. Got to prove it on the field.
** Zakoby is very passionate, quick twitch, has a lot of big hits. Owen is smart, humble and a physical freak.
** The DL had a great camp. They're trending up. Colby Wooden has been big as well as Marcus Harris, Tony Fair and Zeke Walker. Looking forward to a great season from them.
** Harris has speed off the ball. Can rush passer, stop the run. Nothing he can't do. Has a lot to prove coming from Kansas. Came in ready to work.
** His son will be at all home games and comes to practice all the time. He may not remember it but I'll remember it for sure.
** Young LBs are going to be huge. Steiner, Riley, Tisdol have stepped up and improved a lot. Those three will be big on special teams. All three have stepped up big-time this camp.
** Used to playing a tough schedule. We prepared in the offseason for it. Being able to push through mentally when you're tired is a key.
OWEN PAPPOE
** Had that next-man mentality when Derek Mason was out. Glad to have him out. Schmedding stepped in for the defense and did a very good job.
** Have a package when all three LBs (Wooten, Pappoe, Zakoby) are on field together. Wooten looks like he never left.
** Harris is a dawg. He's motivated and ready for a huge year.
** Steiner is probably the leader of the young LBs. Tisdol has really come on this fall. If he leaves after this year, Pappoe will be comfortable handing off the torch to those guys.
** We have the best LB room in the country. We're versatile. All of us can rush the passer, cover, run sideline to sideline. We can do it all.
** Donovan Kaufman is a playmaker. You can see how hungry he is. Also meeting with Mason, studying.
** Amazing being named captain. Auburn was 2nd offer in 8th grade. Remembers seeing the captain's bricks on the ground and thinking how cool that would be one day. Amazing feeling, ready to lead.
** Colby Wooden has had the best camp for the DL, all over the place, TFL. All the guys up front including TD and Hall making plays.
** Ro Torrence knows how to finish. Stripped the ball in the end zone and took it back for a TD in one scrimmage. Going to make a lot of plays for us this year.
** Key to playing against a tough schedule is to not let the moment be too big. It's a physical game. You've got to take care of your body during season.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
CHANDLER WOOTEN
** it was awesome to be told by Harsin he was voted a permanent captain. To go from opting out to returning and earning my teammate's respect is a blessing and honor.
** Talked to Harsin about 45 minutes in first meeting. Talked a lot about life and goals. Walking out, he knew that was the kind of coach he wants to play for. Told Harsin he was a leader in that first meeting.
** Says he would have had the same questions has Harsin, questioning his commitment, if he was in Harsin's place. He's glad they had that conversation.
** Nehemiah Pritchett has a different level of focus. He's more confident and locked in more. He's a quiet guy but gets after it when he's on the field. Can play inside and outside, a great player.
** Yet to be proven how this LB group stacks up against previous units. Got to prove it on the field.
** Zakoby is very passionate, quick twitch, has a lot of big hits. Owen is smart, humble and a physical freak.
** The DL had a great camp. They're trending up. Colby Wooden has been big as well as Marcus Harris, Tony Fair and Zeke Walker. Looking forward to a great season from them.
** Harris has speed off the ball. Can rush passer, stop the run. Nothing he can't do. Has a lot to prove coming from Kansas. Came in ready to work.
** His son will be at all home games and comes to practice all the time. He may not remember it but I'll remember it for sure.
** Young LBs are going to be huge. Steiner, Riley, Tisdol have stepped up and improved a lot. Those three will be big on special teams. All three have stepped up big-time this camp.
** Used to playing a tough schedule. We prepared in the offseason for it. Being able to push through mentally when you're tired is a key.
OWEN PAPPOE
** Had that next-man mentality when Derek Mason was out. Glad to have him out. Schmedding stepped in for the defense and did a very good job.
** Have a package when all three LBs (Wooten, Pappoe, Zakoby) are on field together. Wooten looks like he never left.
** Harris is a dawg. He's motivated and ready for a huge year.
** Steiner is probably the leader of the young LBs. Tisdol has really come on this fall. If he leaves after this year, Pappoe will be comfortable handing off the torch to those guys.
** We have the best LB room in the country. We're versatile. All of us can rush the passer, cover, run sideline to sideline. We can do it all.
** Donovan Kaufman is a playmaker. You can see how hungry he is. Also meeting with Mason, studying.
** Amazing being named captain. Auburn was 2nd offer in 8th grade. Remembers seeing the captain's bricks on the ground and thinking how cool that would be one day. Amazing feeling, ready to lead.
** Colby Wooden has had the best camp for the DL, all over the place, TFL. All the guys up front including TD and Hall making plays.
** Ro Torrence knows how to finish. Stripped the ball in the end zone and took it back for a TD in one scrimmage. Going to make a lot of plays for us this year.
** Key to playing against a tough schedule is to not let the moment be too big. It's a physical game. You've got to take care of your body during season.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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