Former Auburn linebackers Chandler Wooten, Zakoby McClain make undrafted free agency decisions

A pair of former Auburn linebackers, Chandler Wooten and Zakoby McClain, chose which teams they would be joining in free agency after going undrafted. Wooten will be signing with the Arizona Cardinals, while McClain will begin his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens.

Auburn linebackers choose free agency destinations

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed the free agency decisions made by the pair of Auburn linebackers as both begin their NFL careers as undrafted players. Wooten joined the Tigers’ defense in 2017 and played five seasons, while McClain joined him and the linebacker unit in 2018.

Wooten will bring five years of college experience with him to the Cardinals, who drafted Penn State linebacker Jesse Luketa in the seventh round. Wooten did not play in the 2020 season, but finished his college career with 137 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

McClain will join the Ravens, a team that used one of their 11 draft picks to select linebacker David Ojabo in the second round. McClain didn’t see major playing time until his sophomore season, where he developed as a threat to SEC offensive lines. He finished his career with Auburn recording 267 tackles, including 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss.

The pair combined last season for 189 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Smoke Monday finds NFL team

McClain and Wooten weren’t the only Auburn players to quickly make free agency decisions after going undrafted on Saturday.

“Former Auburn safety Smoke Monday is signing with the Saints,” stated NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero after the draft concluded.

Monday played all four seasons of his college career with Auburn, appearing in 44 games for the Tigers. He finished his career with five interceptions — three of which he returned for touchdowns — and a forced fumble, alongside six sacks and 17 tackles for a loss.