Struggling SEC Program Gets Much-Needed Recruiting Win on Monday

Struggling SEC Program Gets Much-Needed Recruiting Win on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

On Monday, reports surfaced that the Auburn Tigers were in the driver's seat regarding the services of a star pass rusher in the 2026 recruiting class. Hours later, Auburn made good on the speculation, earning a verbal pledge from one of the best high school defenders.

According to Hayes Fawcett on On3, four-star edge rusher Jacquez Wilkes has verbally committed to the Auburn Tigers.

A 6-foot-4, 240-pound first-level defender, Wilkes also holds offers from the Texas A&M Aggies, Alabama Crimson Tide, Arkansas Razorbacks, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Missouri Tigers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Purdue Boilermakers, Oregon Ducks, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers, and the USC Trojans, among others.

Last season, Wadley High School went 13-0, with Wilkes playing a star defensive role. With the commitment, Wilkes becomes the highest-rated player to commit to Auburn, according to the On3 database. Their second-ranked recruit, Hezekiah Harris, is also an edge rusher.

The addition of Wilkes and Harris will undoubtedly play a significant role in Auburn's turnaround, as the Tigers allowed 69 points in their last two games of 2025. Head coach Hugh Freeze is likely counting down the days until their arrival, as Auburn has posted an 11-14 record during his tenure.

Until then, Auburn will rely on Malik Blocton and Keldric Faulk on the edge of the defensive line. Faulk posted seven sacks last year, while Blocton added 1.5 sacks. Freeze will also welcome Sam Houston State Bearkats transfer Chris Murray after he recorded 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 2024.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.