What many have known for a while, became official Wednesday.

Jawara White is now an Auburn Tiger.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 217 pounder from Charles Henderson signed his letter of intent to play at Auburn sent it to the school before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, joining a recruiting class that is in the top five in the nation.

Even though White verbally announced his commitment to the school in June of last year, he is happy this part of his collegiate career is over.

“It is a sigh of relief to finally be finished [with recruiting],” White said Wednesday morning after signing and turning in his papers. “It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

This marks the third CHHS football player to join a South Eastern Conference team, with the other two being Zac Etheridge, who is also at Auburn, and Justin Green, who is at Vanderbilt.

The high school had a ceremony honoring White’s achievement.

White thanked all that were in attendance including family members, coaches and former teammates and schoolmates.

“This is a huge day for Jawara,” CHHS head coach Hugh Fountain said.

“He has worked hard ever since he got here and is now he is getting ready to play in the best conference in the country.

“We are all very proud of what he has accomplished,” the coach added.

White, who is a three-star recruit and ranked No. 30 in the nation at the linebacker position according to Scout.com, said he was excited about going to the next level.

“Nothing is ever given to you in line,” White said. “This is a blessing to be a part of it.”

“I have talked to coach [Gene Chizik] a lot and he has told me the same thing – just be yourself.

“I love [Chizik] as a coach and I love him as a person,” White added.

When asked about the pressures of playing in the SEC, White said he is not nervous because of the competition he has played against for the past four years.

“I have had some of the best competition in the world. All the guys on this team always gave it their all and each of them were great players.

“They are the reasons I will be prepared for Auburn,” he said.

At Auburn, White will be playing as an outside linebacker, a position the former Trojan has dominated the past several seasons.

In 2008, White was named an 5A Honorable Mention Athlete by ASWA, after he finished with 88 tackles, one interception, six caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four sacks and one scored defensive touchdown.

He also rushed for 410 yards and had 375 receiving yards along with seven offensive touchdowns.

Though White was injured during much of the 2009 season, the senior still finished with 65 tackles, 40 of which were solo, one interception and three fumble recoveries.

He was also a participant in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game.

While White said he was unsure if he would be playing next fall in Jordan-Hare Stadium, he did say he would be ready if given the opportunity.

“The linebacker situation is pretty thin – I will be ready to go if they need me. I want to be become a better leader and a better person.

“I am going to have to work hard up there – and that is what I am planning on doing.”