Top-100 EDGE Jaquez Wilkes maps out spring visit plans

There’s a Southeastern flavor to the recruitment of Wadley (Ala.) four-star EDGE Jaquez Wilkes. That’s set to continue this spring.

As the 6-foot-4, 218-pounder continues to find his top schools, he’s locked in six visits across the next two months. He tells On3 that trips to Miami (March 22), Florida State (March 29), Texas A&M (April 1), Georgia (April 3), Auburn (April 5) and Alabama (April 12) are now on the docket.

Wilkes is the No. 80 overall prospect and No. 11 EDGE in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 6 player in Alabama.

Wilkes is coming off a January that saw coaches from Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU and Vandy stop by to visit him at his school. When speaking with On3’s Steve Wiltfong last month, Wilkes tabbed Tennessee and Texas A&M as two programs that were at the top of his recruitment early on.

“I love everything about them,” Wilkes said of the Vols. “Coaches, the atmosphere. I feel like I can fit in and thrive there.”

A two-way star for Wadley High, Wilkes rushed for 312 yards and five touchdowns and also had 10 tackles and an interception in a state title victory last season. He finished his junior campaign with 2,582 yards on the ground and 37 touchdowns. Wadley went undefeated, claiming the Alabama 1A crown.

Wilkes has been on the scene since he was an eighth grader, where he notched more than 60 tackles and nine sacks playing up to the high school level. He moved over to linebacker the next three years, and also doubles as one of the state’s best running backs. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he amassed more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns.

He’ll now get back on the road next month and continue to look at some of the top programs in the nation. Auburn and Alabama will do it can to keep Wilkes in-state, but the blue-chipper is giving plenty of big-time schools a look.