Cam Newton has a message to potential college football recruits.

The former Auburn star and Heisman Trophy winner’s passionate plea to high school players went viral in which he mentioned Alabama’s Nick Saban and Georgia’s Kirby Smart. He also made reference to Auburn as well.

“You think Kirby Smart needs you?” Newton said. “You think Nick Saban needs you? You stupid. You going to Tennessee — half of y’all are going to schools that don’t even offer you.

“If you’re good, it don’t matter where you go — they gonna find you. I promise you. A lot of you want to go to the Alabamas, the North Carolinas, the North Carolina States. Y’all are going to be there four years and not have a meaningful game. ‘But I got a catch, though.’ It was Senior Day. It was a slant. Relax, bro. 

“You better go somewhere where you gotta put yourself first because when you play for that G, when you play for that A, or you play for that T, when you play for that AU, bro, they’re putting themselves first. They’re bulletproof. Nothing will ever mess up their situation. … Those schools are bulletproof. They don’t need you.”

Newton, a former five-star prospect, started his career at Florida (2007-08) before a detour to Brenham (Texas) Blinn College (2009) and Auburn (2010).

At Auburn, Newton accounted for 50 touchdowns and more than 4,300 yards of total offense in leading the Tigers to the national championship.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.