AUBURN — Two of Auburn’s top players are taking their talents to the NFL. Defensive linemen Colby Wooden and Derick Hall both declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in separate videos on Tuesday morning.
“This time here has been great. You know, from the fans to the people, to the city to the environment, if I had to pick Auburn all over again, I would do it a thousand times over,” Hall said. “One thing about Auburn is, if you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back. So I know I’ll always be able to come home.”
As a senior and a captain, Derick Hall led this team through a tumultuous season, including the second coaching change since Hall arrived on the Plains, but he continued to have success on the field. In 12 games, Hall finished with a career-high 60 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and his first interception.
As Hall’s partner in crime on the defensive line, Colby Wooden was a standout for this Auburn defense, especially as injuries along the defensive front forced Wooden to play out of position, including significant time at the EDGE spot.
Wooden flourished in the new spot, tallying up 45 tackles, and career-highs in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (6), pass deflections (3), fumble recoveries (2) and forced fumbles (3).
“I want to say thank you to everybody who's been with me these last four years. I want to thank coach Malzahn for believing in me, coach Garner for, you know, giving me a chance,” Wooden said. “I want to thank coach Lac for, you know, bringing us together and teaching us what it really means to be an Auburn brotherhood.”
Wooden leaves Auburn as a redshirt junior, but he did participate in Senior Day activities during the Tigers’ last home game of the season.
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