Standout linebacker to see USC
In building the recently signed 2016 class, Will Muschamp and his staff relied heavily on past prospect relationships. There will be cases of that in 2017 as well, with one example being Georgia’s Chandler Wooten.
The Kennesaw (Georgia) North Cobb linebacker has familiarity with a few of USC’s coaches from a prior stop at Auburn. He’s also gotten to know another staffer quite well. The Gamecocks extended an offer recently.
“Ever since the end of December, me and Coach Hutzler have built a great relationship,” Wooten told GamecockCentral.com. “I spoke with the whole staff and Coach Muschamp let me know that I had an offer and that they couldn’t wait to get me up there on February 13. I’m very interested, especially having a good relationship with Coach Hutzler, Muschamp, and Coach Thompson. I know coach Robinson. I have a history with some of those guys and I know what they bring to the table. I look forward to building relationships with those guys.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder is already confident in what Muschamp will do do defensively at USC, but he hopes to learn more about the Gamecock experience when he hits campus.
“They’re great coaches. They know what they're doing especially on the defensive side of the ball. I can’t wait to see what South Carolina has not only with football but also academically. I can’t wait to get on campus.”
23 other programs have offered Wooten, including the likes of Clemson, Florida, Michigan State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Following his junior day visit to USC, he will take in Auburn on February 20 and then Tennessee on March 5.
“Slowly but surely I’m narrowing it down in my head but at the same time I’m still wide open,” Wooten said. “I don’t want to limit my opportunities because other schools can come on in the near future.”
Ideally, Wooten hopes to have a decision finalized prior to his senior season as he plans on enrolling early at the school of his choice.
"I feel like whenever I know, I know. I don’t feel like I should stretch it out,” he explained. “I have my schedule set up to where I graduate in December. I kind of want to be done with it before football season starts in August. That’s my target, but it’s not a big deal if I don’t hit that target.”