Despite the many challenges of running the Auburn football program in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and COVID-19 constraints, first-year head coach Bryan Harsin and the Tigers are gearing up for a grueling 2021 schedule.
As September 4 draws closer, Harsin has named a duo of defenders as the 2021 team captains, who were voted into the position by their teammates. Junior Owen Pappoe and senior Chandler Wooten earned the honors this year.
The fact that Pappoe was named team captain should hardly surprise anyone. The linebacker has been one of the main faces of Auburn football this offseason, representing the team at SEC media days and at the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the new football facility, set to open in 2022.
Congratulations to our 2021 season long Captains @TheFreak and @ItsMeWootang.
— Bryan Harsin (@CoachHarsin) August 25, 2021
The ultimate honor, being selected by their teammates.#WarEagle | #AuburnMade pic.twitter.com/ttUSsnYuZ8
Pappoe’s defensive stats in 2020 were second only to his positional partner in crime, Zakoby McClain. Pappoe racked up 93 tackles with six tackles for loss and four sacks. He’s projected to be one of the top linebackers in the SEC this season alongside McClain.
Chandler Wooten, on the other hand, is just returning to the Plains after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 related concerns and the impending birth of his son. Being named a 2021 team captain speaks volumes about Wooten’s leadership and his value to his teammates.
Over three seasons and 30 games played at Auburn, Wooten has recorded 45 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and one interception.
Both Pappoe and Wooten have been named Iron Men of the Week by Bryan Harsin at least once, and they could both be leaving the Plains after this season and declaring for the NFL draft. Before they go, they’re absolutely going to make sure that Auburn football has the #1 linebacking corps on the field in 2021.