4-star edge Wilky Denaud commits to Auburn over Florida State, Tennessee
John Carroll (Fort Pierce, Fla.) four-star edge Wilky Denaud has committed to Auburn.
Denaud, one of the top defensive linemen in the 2023 class, announced his decision Wednesday during a ceremony at his school. He chose Auburn over Florida State, Tennessee, Indiana and others.
“Auburn is the school that me and my family really like,” Denaud told AuburnLiveOn3. “I felt a good vibe at every place I visited, but there was just something different about the vibe at Auburn.”
Denaud is familiar with Auburn having visited each of the past two summers. He also communicates regularly with Auburn first-year edge coach Roc Bellantoni.
“Me and Coach Roc have a good relationship,” Denaud said. “Coach Roc has a plan and a platform to get me to where I want to be. He has the capability to get kids in the league and performing, and he has the staff to help guide the players, too.
“I’m very big on Coach Roc and the relationship with have. He keeps it straightforward with you with what he sees and how he sees it. He’s one of those guys that will keep it real no matter the circumstances. And he’s just a big family guy.”
Familiarity with Auburn, relationships big for Denaud
Denaud last visited Auburn on June 14. It was then that the Tigers began to make a serious surge.
“I got to see all the new stuff, talk to the coaches and understand what their vision is for me,” he said. “I saw all the plans for the new facility and all the different things they have to offer.”
[ Auburn’s 2023 Commitment List ]
He also saw the depth chart at edge and the opportunity for early playing time.
“That was one of the things, too, that really stood out to me,” Denaud said. “They have a lot of seniors coming out this year. I just feel like I’ll be able to come in and be able to get on the field and play.”
Denaud admits he has the frame and abilities to slide inside at some point in his college career, but he’ll start out at edge.
“That’s something I take pride in, my speed off the edge,” Denaud said. “I feel like I can also slide in, do a mixture of both. It all depends on where they want me.”
Denaud will take other visits, but ‘Auburn is the place for me’
Denaud is set to return to Auburn Sept. 16-18 for an official visit. The Tigers host Penn State that weekend.
Although committed, he does plan to take other visits.
“I’ll still visit,” Denaud said. “I just want to see game day experiences.”
Denaud is set to visit Tennessee Sept. 23-25, Indiana Oct. 7-9 and Florida State Oct. 14-16.
“But I feel very good about Auburn,” he said. “I feel like Auburn is the place for me. They have everything I need to get to the next level.”
Denaud, who is an early enrollee, is the Tigers’ fifth commitment in the 2023 class. All five are On3 Consensus four-star recruits. He joins four-star running back Jeremiah Cobb, four-star wide receiver Karmello English, four-star interior offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner and four-star defensive back Terrance Love.
Denaud, who is 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, is the No. 362 overall recruit in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally-weighted, industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks the No. 39 edge in the country and No. 68 recruit in Florida.
