Jaquez Wilkes actually qualifies as an elite EDGE recruit, and for the Auburn Tigers, he was a prime precedence.
In-state recruiting is vital for each program, nevertheless it’s seemingly much more important for Auburn contemplating the truth that the Alabama Crimson Tide are at all times lurking simply over 150 miles away.
As such, the dedication of Wilkes to Auburn on Monday was a large second. Wilkes, a 4-star EDGE from Wadley, Alabama, dedicated to this system that he stated felt like residence from the get-go.
“I simply wished to remain residence,” he informed informed Rivals. “After I took my official go to to Auburn, I went to Texas A&M for my official go to … After that, I went again to Auburn two extra occasions in June and I simply knew it. It was a unique feeling at Auburn than at Texas A&M or anyplace else.”
That was a message that Hugh Freeze, defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and the remainder of the Auburn workers was parroting again to Wilkes as nicely, and it labored for the Tigers.
“All they’d inform me is that Auburn is residence for me,” Wilkes stated. “The relationships and the love at Auburn are actual for me. Coach Durkin has been texting me nearly on daily basis to examine in on me. He let me know I may go to at any time and he wished me in his protection. I really like how calm he’s off the sphere, how intense he’s on the sphere and the way he desires to make use of me at linebacker.”
Freeze is just 11-14 in two seasons at Auburn, however he is a assured recruiter and he is had success within the SEC prior to now. He went 39-25 with a 3-1 Bowl file at Ole Miss earlier than he resigned in 2017 after it was came upon that he made a name from a college cellphone “to a quantity related to a feminine escort service.”
Auburn is coming off a 5-7 season that noticed the Tigers go 2-6 in SEC play, so the standard normal shouldn’t be being met on the Plains. With that stated, Wilkes does have perception in Freeze.
“Auburn is about to have a giant turnaround below coach Freeze and I get to be part of it in entrance of my household and pals,” the 4-star stated.
It is “residence” in any case, and there is not any place higher than residence.
Wilkes is Auburn’s eleventh 2026 dedication. 247sports ranks him because the No. 10 EDGE recruit within the nation.
