In a refreshened Arkansas secondary full of newcomers, one who hasn’t been talked about enough is former Auburn transfer Caleb Wooden.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was a six-game starter for the Tigers at free safety during the 2024 season. In 10 games, he totaled 17 tackles, two defended passes, a tackle for loss (TFL) and an interception. He also managed a 67.7 Pro Football Focus (PFF) defensive grade in 305 snaps, which included a 70.7 coverage mark.
Wooden saved his best junior performance (73.9 game grade) for Auburn’s Iron Bowl matchup against Alabama in the regular-season finale, when he notched three tackles, a defended pass, his only tackle for loss and lone interception. Wooden credited his experience in big games as something that’s helped him transition with the Razorbacks.
“The level of experience playing in this conference,” Wooden said Wednesday. “Playing in the Iron Bowl, the deep south, the oldest rivalry. Like I said, this is the SEC and there’s competition everywhere. Every week you got to bring your A-game because any given week, you can get beaten. So, playing at Auburn and the experience I have definitely helps.”
Across three collegiate seasons, the former three-star prospect has made 41 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, four defended passes, two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble.
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Where Caleb Wooden fits in the defense
Primarily a free safety at Auburn, Wooden did play some strong safety, per PFF, and was likely recruited to Arkansas with some versatility in mind. Wooden said Wednesday that he’ll play whatever position he must to get on the field.
“(Caleb’s) primary right now is free safety to the field,” co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson said Wednesday. “Caleb comes from Auburn and he’s brought a lot of experience with him as well. He’s a guy that continues to grow into a leader. I’ve been really impressed with his energy at practice, his consistency and his communication skills as well.”
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Wooden’s ties to Williams, Woodson
Wooden isn’t the only Auburn transplant on the team, as defensive coordinator (DC) Travis Williams played for the Tigers from 2001-05 and coached there from 2014-20 in multiple roles, including DC.
Co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson was also Auburn’s defensive backs coach from 2018-19. The coaching duo was on staff when Wooden’s brother, Colby, went through the program (2019-22).
When recollecting on the past, Wooden said he felt a strong family connection to Williams and Woodson at Auburn and felt it again when he was recruited this offseason.
“It comes back to relationships,” Woodson said. “When Coach T-Will and I worked at Auburn, (Caleb’s) brother played defensive end for us and within that process, Caleb would be on campus quite a bit. So with time, we recruited him there. Obviously he signed with Auburn, Coach T-Will stayed there for a year with him. I ended up leaving, going to Florida State, but man, it started there.
“It went back to his production on video at Auburn, once we got a chance to go into the transfer portal. It was a no-brainer for us. Man, he’s exceeded the expectations that we had for him as a staff since he’s been here. He’s been a phenomenal addition to the room.”
