Auburn 'at the top' for Whitlow

AUBURN | Jatarvious Whitlow’s got jokes. And one of his favorite targets is his mom, who he likes to tease about going far away to play college football.

“I tell my mother I want to be far away but I really don't. I just do that to make her mad,” joked Whitlow, with his smiling mother within earshot. “I really want to be close enough to home where I know my family can come and come see me on a Saturday.”

In fact, Whitlow is hoping to choose a school within four hours drive from LaFayette, a small town in Chambers County 24 miles north of Auburn.

“I don't want her to drive seven or 12 (hours) or across the country to come see me. I ain't going to have her doing that,” Whitlow said.

Whitlow and his mother were in Auburn Saturday to attend the War Damn BBQ. He left with the Tigers at the top of his list.

“They’re at the top,” he said. “It’s just the atmosphere here (at Auburn) and the people here. I feel very comfortable when I'm around here. When I come here I feel like I'm home and it's meant for me to be here.”

Whitlow also has offers from Georgia State, Jacksonville State and UAB, and interest from Alabama, Penn State, Mississippi State, Troy, Austin Peay, Southern Miss and Chattanooga.

He plans to take his time making a decision.

“I tell my mother Signing Day in February. I told her that's when I'll make my decision,” he said. “I'm really just weighing my options and all that and seeing what's more to come.”

A three-sport start at LaFayette, Whitlow completed 95-of-175 passes for 1,896 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,339 yards and 15 touchdowns on 118 carries as a junior. He also caught two touchdown passes, returned three punts for touchdowns, returned one kickoff for a touchdown and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Auburn is recruiting Whitlow as a defensive back.