Chandler Wooten

Chandler Wooten Bio

Chandler Wooten (born April 25, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. Wooten has developed into a reliable depth player at the linebacker position, contributing on special teams and in defensive packages throughout his early professional career. He currently wears number 57 for the Panthers.

Early Life and Background

Chandler Wooten was born on April 25, 1999, to Kelvin Wooten and Sandra Wooten in Acworth, Georgia, USA. He attended North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he established himself as a standout football player. During his high school career, Wooten was nominated as an all-region and all-state player for Georgia, demonstrating the athletic ability that would later carry him to the collegiate level. His exceptional performance at the high school level earned him an invitation to participate in the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game, a national showcase for the top high school football prospects in the country.

Path to Professional Football

Rated as the forty-fifth best college football player in Georgia coming out of high school, Wooten had several scholarship offers from major programs. He ultimately chose to attend Auburn University over other suitors, including the University of Tennessee. His decision to join the Auburn Tigers represented a commitment to developing his skills at one of the SEC’s most storied football programs, where he would have the opportunity to compete against some of the nation’s top talent week in and week out.

Chandler Wooten Career

College Career (2017–2021)

During his freshman season at Auburn, Wooten served in a backup role, recording sporadic tackles throughout the year while learning the college game and adjusting to the increased speed and physicality of SEC competition. The following year, while he did not win the starting job, Wooten saw his role expand as he moved up the depth chart and recorded more tackles than his freshman campaign. His progression showed promise, and coaches began to take notice of his potential as a future contributor on defense.

In his junior year, Wooten finally earned the starting linebacker position and solidified himself as a consistent presence on the field for the Auburn defense. However, what would have been his senior season was disrupted when he sat out the entire 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA subsequently granted players an extra year of eligibility, and Wooten made the decision to return to Auburn for a fifth season. He made the most of his additional year, delivering his best statistical performances and earning the respect of his teammates by being voted team captain. His outstanding final season was recognized with the Shug Jordan Award, which honors Auburn’s top senior player or player who has made significant contributions to the football program.

Arizona Cardinals (2022)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wooten signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, continuing his professional football journey despite not hearing his name called during the draft. He impressed coaches enough during rookie minicamp and organized team activities to earn a contract, though he did not make the initial 53-man active roster. The Cardinals signed him to their practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within their defensive system while remaining close to the active roster in case of injuries or roster changes.

Carolina Panthers First Stint (2022–2024)

On October 18, 2022, Wooten’s career took a significant turn when the Carolina Panthers signed him to their active roster from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. The opportunity arose after the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, creating a roster vacancy. Wooten provided linebacker depth for the Panthers for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Throughout the 2023 season, Wooten’s role with the Panthers remained fluid as the team adjusted their roster. On August 30, 2023, he was waived by the Panthers but re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. He was promoted back to the active roster on September 8, 2023, but his season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 7. Wooten continued to work his way back during the 2024 preseason, but on August 27, 2024, he was again waived and re-signed to the practice squad. He received another promotion to the active roster on October 2, was released and re-signed to the practice squad on October 23, and ultimately released on November 7, ending his first extended stint with the organization.

San Francisco 49ers (2024)

Wooten continued his professional journey by joining the San Francisco 49ers organization. On December 17, 2024, he was signed to the 49ers practice squad, giving him the opportunity to learn a new defensive scheme and compete for a roster spot with another NFL franchise. His tenure with the 49ers was brief but provided valuable experience in a different organizational environment.

Carolina Panthers Second Stint (2024–Present)

Wooten’s career came full circle when he returned to the Carolina Panthers organization. On December 24, 2024, he was signed by the Panthers off the 49ers practice squad, rejoining the team he had spent significant time with during the previous two seasons. This second stint with the Panthers demonstrated the organization’s continued interest in Wooten’s development and potential contributions to their linebacker corps as they evaluated their roster for the 2025 season and beyond.

Playing Style and Strengths

Wooten plays the linebacker position with instincts and football intelligence developed through his extensive college career at Auburn. His experience as a team captain at a major college program speaks to his leadership qualities and understanding of defensive concepts. He has shown the ability to contribute on special teams units, which has been essential to his ability to remain on NFL rosters. His height of 6 feet 3 inches and weight of 230 pounds provide him with the size needed to engage blockers and fill running lanes effectively at the NFL level.

Chandler Wooten Career Statistics

Through his first three seasons in the NFL, Wooten has accumulated meaningful statistical contributions while serving primarily as a depth player and special teams contributor. His career totals reflect his role as a role player who has seen action in limited defensive snaps while making his biggest impact on special teams.

Chandler Wooten Family

Family Background

Chandler Wooten was raised in Acworth, Georgia, by his parents, Kelvin Wooten and Sandra Wooten. His family provided support and encouragement throughout his journey from high school standout to college captain to professional athlete. The values instilled by his parents contributed to his perseverance through the challenges of pursuing a career in professional football, including going undrafted and bouncing between practice squads and active rosters.

2025 Season Outlook

As Chandler Wooten enters the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers, he will look to establish himself more firmly within the team’s linebacker rotation. His second stint with the organization provides him with familiarity in the defensive scheme and relationships with coaching staff that could translate into expanded opportunities. The Panthers will be evaluating their linebacker corps during the offseason and training camp, and Wooten’s special teams abilities and experience make him a candidate for a depth role on the 53-man roster. His career path has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, qualities that will serve him well as he competes for a more permanent spot on the Panthers’ roster during the 2025 campaign.