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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s Hunter Ousley officially accepted a preferred walk-on position at Auburn University and signed his letter of intent on Feb. 7 to play football on the plains.

Ousley said Auburn was very clear in their message that they wanted him in their program throughout his recruiting process. While he had looks from other schools, Ousley took Auburn’s clear interest as a great sign to join the No. 10 ranked recruiting class in the country by 247Sports.

“Auburn is the only school where I went there, they saw me play and it was no question they wanted me on their team,” Ousley said. “It is just a family atmosphere like everybody says about Auburn. Talking to coach Ben (Aigamaua) the tight ends coach and coach (Josh) Aldridge the recruiting coordinator for our area, you could tell they knew in the upcoming years they were going to have a big group, and now this is the best group they have had in a long time.”

Ousley made 26 catches for 314 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year at CCHS, being a reliable target at tight end for the Tigers’ offense throughout the season. His strengths are as a run-blocking tight end, and going into college Ousley knew he needed to be a more well-rounded tight end so coaches could use him how they wanted in different spots.

Former CCHS head football coach Marvin Morton, who coached Ousley throughout his high school career, said the senior came in before and stayed after practice last season to work on his route running and improving his speed and agility. The 7-on-7 scrimmages CCHS participated in during Ousley’s time at CCHS were also beneficial in helping him grow in the passing game at tight end.

“Auburn is getting a versatile player that not only is a good run blocker, but he will be able to help out in the passing game as well,” Morton said. “With his work ethic and his support system, I think he will come in, earn a spot and he will do good things at Auburn.”

Morton added that Ousley’s toughness he developed during his high school career, fighting through setbacks and adversity, will do him well going to Auburn as a preferred walk-on.

At CCHS, Ousley will be remembered for his willingness to do anything for the team, and being a team first type of player, according to Morton. He said he will remember Ousley as a leader at CCHS who led with his actions and vocally, and a player who took pride in his work on the field and in the classroom, which will help him be successful at Auburn.

“I am very confident in my ability, and I understand it will be difficult and I will not get the same treatment as everyone else, but I look at that as a challenge and I will be better because of it,” Ousley said. “I would not be here without all my teammates and coaches throughout the years, and they really showed me how to grow up, be the leader on the team and those skills will help a lot going to the next level.”

Ousley will complete his final semester at CCHS before graduating in May and getting to Auburn to start his freshman year in the program.