Jaquez Wilkes, a consensus Top-100 national prospect and one of the top linebacker recruits in the country, has committed to the Auburn Tigers. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound four-star defender chose Auburn over an elite list of finalists that included Florida State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Miami, and others. For head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, Wilkes’ decision is nothing short of a breakthrough moment as they continue to build a nationally competitive roster on the Plains.
Wilkes, a Georgia native, made his announcement on Wednesday afternoon via social media, donning an Auburn cap and declaring his allegiance to the “AUFAMILY.” He becomes the highest-rated linebacker in Auburn’s class and one of the most significant defensive commitments in recent program memory.
“First off, I want to thank God for blessing me with the talent and opportunity to play this game,” Wilkes wrote in his announcement. “To my family, coaches, and teammates — thank you for pushing me. After a lot of prayer and consideration, I’m staying in the SEC and I’m committed to Auburn University. War Eagle!”
This commitment hits on multiple levels. Wilkes is not only a highly regarded national recruit — ranked as high as No. 73 overall by 247Sports and the No. 6 linebacker in the nation — but he also represents a recruiting win over Auburn’s SEC rivals and perennial powers across the region. Auburn beat out Alabama and Texas A&M in head-to-head recruiting battles, while holding off a major push from Florida State, where Wilkes made an official visit in June.
Auburn’s staff had been relentless in their pursuit, led primarily by linebackers coach Josh Aldridge. The coaching staff made Wilkes a top priority from the moment they extended a scholarship offer in early 2024. He visited Auburn multiple times, including for Big Cat Weekend and the Tigers’ spring game, and it was during those visits that the bond with the program and its culture began to take root.
Wilkes’ recruitment was full of twists and turns. Early in his high school career, he was heavily linked to Florida State and Texas A&M. His physicality, elite closing speed, and sideline-to-sideline range drew attention from defensive-minded programs across the country. But over time, Auburn began to separate from the pack.
According to sources close to his recruitment, Wilkes felt a different kind of energy on the Plains. “The family atmosphere at Auburn really stood out to him,” one source said. “He wanted to go somewhere where he wasn’t just another player. Auburn made him feel like he was already part of the team before he even committed.”
That sense of belonging turned the tide in Auburn’s favor.
From a schematic standpoint, Wilkes is an ideal fit in Ron Roberts’ aggressive defensive system. He plays with a natural instinct for the ball, a trait that allows him to anticipate plays before they develop. He’s also versatile — capable of playing inside or outside, with enough athleticism to drop into coverage and enough strength to set the edge or rush the passer.
“He’s got that NFL makeup already,” one regional scout noted. “Long arms, fast-twitch burst, and he brings violence to every tackle. He’s going to be a menace in the SEC.”
Wilkes has also made a name for himself as a vocal leader and a relentless worker — traits Auburn coaches believe will help shape the culture of their defense for years to come. At his high school, he’s known for organizing player-led film sessions and setting the tone in the weight room.
His commitment signals Auburn’s aggressive rise in the recruiting landscape under Hugh Freeze. The Tigers are now trending toward a Top-10 national class and are picking up momentum on the trail after a summer full of key visits and silent commitments. Wilkes’ pledge may also influence other top defenders to follow suit. Auburn is in the hunt for several more four- and five-star defensive players, many of whom have spoken highly of Wilkes as a peer recruiter.
“He’s the kind of guy that can rally other big-time players to join him,” a source close to Auburn’s recruiting operation said. “When you get a leader like Jaquez this early in the cycle, it gives your class a whole new energy.”
In a recruiting world increasingly shaped by NIL and high-profile transfer movement, Wilkes’ decision comes across as a genuine belief in the direction of Auburn’s program. While other schools attempted to sway him with aggressive NIL pitches, Auburn leaned into authenticity and long-term development — and it worked.
“We never tried to sell him on flash,” a member of Auburn’s staff said. “We sold him on family, on trust, and on what we’re building. He bought in.”
His addition could prove to be one of the defining moments in Freeze’s second full recruiting class. It’s also an indicator that Auburn, long seen as a sleeping giant in the SEC, is stirring again — with a rising stock on the field and the trail alike.
With Wilkes now in the fold, the Tigers can turn their attention toward adding complementary pieces around him. Auburn’s current linebacker depth chart features experienced names, but Wilkes has the tools to make an immediate impact as a freshman. His ability to read keys, shoot gaps, and cover tight ends will make him a valuable chess piece for a defense seeking playmakers.
“We’re not going to hand anything to him,” a defensive coach said. “But if he shows up ready, he’ll have every opportunity to be a difference-maker from day one.”
As for Wilkes, the message after his commitment was clear: this was never just a football decision — it was about finding a home.
“I felt like Auburn was where I was supposed to be,” he said. “It’s different over there. They believe in me. I believe in them.”
Now officially a part of the Auburn family, Jaquez Wilkes will arrive on campus in January as an early enrollee. Until then, he plans to keep improving and become an even better version of himself before his first spring practice in orange and blue.
One of the most sought-after linebackers in the country just made his choice. He’s heading to the Plains. And the rest of the SEC has been put on notice.
Welcome to Auburn, Jaquez Wilkes. War Eagle.
