The Auburn Tigers have a Keldric Faulk-sized hole at the EDGE spot after he was drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. Perhaps outside linebacker recruit Jaquez Wilkes could step in immediately and help fill that void.
That's CBS Sports' Brad Crawford's thinking, anyway. Crawford listed Wilkes as an SEC freshman to watch during the 2026 season. Wilkes was Auburn's lone representative in what is a very portal-heavy roster that also retained plenty of talent under DJ Durkin defensively.
"The Tigers have the experience to ease Wilkes into the lineup, but his talent could shorten the process. The rangy freshman possesses the sideline-to-sideline speed and instincts that are musts for first-year contributors in this league. Coaches have been impressed with his maturity and ability to process the game, traits that often determine whether young pass rush-linebacker hybrids see the field early. Wilkes also has the versatility to help on special teams while earning defensive snaps. By the second half of the season, he could be one of Auburn's most dependable young defenders," Crawford wrote.
Ole Miss Rebels transfer Da'Shawn Womack and sophomore Jared Smith are likely the two starters, but if Wilkes could make big plays, perhaps the coaching staff could give him a look. Wilkes is aggressive in bursting through the line from various entry points, but that was against Class 1A, Region 6 competition. Not to downplay Wadley's opponents, but Class 1A competition doesn't stack up to the level of talent he's about to face in the SEC.
Clearly, Crawford isn't worried about that. Wilkes' eye test is enough to believe he's going to be special sooner rather than later. Of course, it'll be on Durkin and Co. to develop him, though Durkin does his best work with LBs. So there's that.
Jaquez Wilkes could have an Arvell Reese-type ascension if used right
Follow me here for a second. New York Giants EDGE Arvell Reese was one of the most physically gifted players to ever suit up in the Scarlet and Gray. With that said, maybe it's not crazy to think Wilkes could turn out like the former Ohio State Buckeye if enough things break right.
Stylistically, they're both sideline-to-sideline menaces. Both excel against the run, probably more so than the pass rush. Their size is nearly identical, and that's before Wilkes has had a full season in the weight room at the Woltosz Football Performance Center.
Where the comparison is tested is the 40-yard dash. Reese's 4.46 is something Wilkes needs to strive for. He's slightly behind that (4.61). Again, though, this is someone who didn't have access to the kind of facilities he's about to have.
Wilkes has serious potential to become a standout on the Plains, but patience will be needed. Unlike those coming from powerhouses like Thompson or Central, Wilkes has to catch up to speed. If he embraces the opportunity he now has, it's not absurd to think Reese's is an attainable profile for Wilkes in the coming years.
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