BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Cassanova McKinzy says he's a fan of Chick-fil-A.

He also says his much-publicized words involving the fast-food chain were blown out of proportion.

After signing with Auburn University on Wednesday, the Woodlawn High linebacker was filmed talking about his decision. When asked why he didn't switch his commitment following a Jan. 21 visit to Clemson, McKinzy offered an answer that went viral (scroll ahead to the 1:30 mark of the video).

"(It was) kind of the environment and plus they had no Chick-fil-A on campus," McKinzy said. "You had to go probably like 15 minutes off campus to go to a real restaurant. Their cafe was kind of small."

McKinzy's response promptly made headlines in USA Today, Yahoo! Sports and media outlets around the country, with readers displaying a mix of amusement and disdain. Many mocked the four-star recruit for supposedly allowing his stomach to guide his college choice.

McKinzy himself scanned the reactions. He said he doesn't understand the fuss.

"That's not the reason I chose Auburn or why I didn't choose Clemson," McKinzy said Thursday. "I actually wanted to give Clemson a shot, but it (his decision) didn't have anything to do with Chick-fil-A."

Chick-fil-A, in fact, has a location on Clemson's campus. But McKinzy said he didn't see one on his visit. Even if he had, he said, it wouldn't have affected his decision.

"I was just being funny," McKinzy said. "I gave all the reasons why I chose Auburn."

McKinzy reiterated those reasons Thursday.

"I've always been an Auburn fan," he said. "I always told myself if they offered me, I would take it."

McKinzy mentioned Auburn cornerback Chris Davis. The two played together when Davis starred at Woodlawn.

With McKinzy's signing, they're set to reunite as teammates.

"I gained a relationship with the coaches and the players," McKinzy said. "That was the big part."

Did McKinzy, Auburn's first commitment in its 2012 signing class, ever seriously consider Clemson?

"I really tried to," said McKinzy, who committed to Auburn last March. "It was just that I've been hooked with Auburn for so long, it was hard to just up and change my mind.

"Clemson is a great place. I didn't mean it like that. When I went, I actually enjoyed myself. (But) I don't think it was a place for me to be. I couldn't picture myself there. It would be great for somebody."