By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Former Shelby Academy and Cornerstone Christian School football standout Colton Wingard earned a spot on the Auburn University football team as a walk-on following a successful tryout Aug. 17.

Wingard was one of seven players out of 33 who participated in the morning tryout session to earn a spot on the Tigers’ 105-man roster. Wingard received a phone call shortly after the session to let him know he made the team.

“I felt good about (the tryout),” Wingard said. “I was nervous.”

Wingard was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball at both Shelby Academy and Cornerstone Christian. Wingard transferred to Cornerstone Christian after Shelby Academy closed in Aug. 2009.

Wingard said he’s excited to be back on the playing field.

“I’m glad I get to play again,” Wingard said.

Wingard, who played offensive tackle and also lined up at fullback on occasion during his senior season at Cornerstone Christian, didn’t play football while attending a community college in his first year following high school graduation.

Cornerstone Christian coach Tim Smith said Wingard spent the summer working out in Columbiana along with current players and serving as a mentor.

“It’s always good to get those guys to come back and help out,” Smith said. “I think it helps them as well with maturity. We’re all excited for him. He knows there’s a lot of hard work in the future for him.”

Wingard is the second former Cornerstone Christian player to walk-on at Auburn. Former Charger Jeremy Walden was a member of the Tigers’ undefeated team in 2004.

Wingard is the second Shelby County high school football standout to earn a spot as a walk-on on a defending national championship team in consecutive years. Former Briarwood Christian standout Caleb Castille earned a spot on the University of Alabama team as a walk-on before the start of the 2010 season.