FORT PIERCE – Wilky Denaud wasted no time in making his final college decision on Wednesday afternoon (July 27) at the John Carroll High School gymnasium.
Flanked by some of his family members, his coaches, his teammates, and some media outlets, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end had four schools in mind: Auburn, Florida State, Indiana, and Tennessee.
When Denaud opened up his jacket, it was clear where his next destination would be at.
The John Carroll senior defensive end is Auburn bound.
“I was thinking to myself that Auburn was the place for me just because they have the plans and the new state-of-the-art facilities,” Denaud said. “They have everything I need to get to the next level, and they’re doing it at a fast pace. I just feel like I could go in and contribute to the team right away.”
Relationships matter in the college recruiting circuit. This is how Denaud’s level of trust over time with Auburn edge linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Roc Bellantoni comes in.
“Coach Roc played a big role in my decision,” Denaud said. “He’s been there. He came to watch me practice. He came to have meetings with me at school. I felt like he was the one that set it over the top with them just because of the relationship me and him have built. He kept it straightforward with me. He told me how I can perfect my game and be better at it.”
Denaud had more to say about Bellantoni.
“He’s a great dude,” Denaud said. “He’s more like a father figure to me. He’s a family figure in a way just because family is down here in Florida. He’s gonna be able to look out for me with my family being here.”
The 247Sports.com four-star defensive end made sure to credit John Carroll head coach Mickey Groody for his success.
“Coach Groody, he’s always been there,” Denaud said. “He’s been helping me since my freshman year. He’s always been able to break things down for my family just because I’m the first and my parents didn’t have a big idea on it.”
Groody spoke on Denaud’s commitment to Auburn.
“That decision was a tough one on him,” Groody said. “All the schools that recruited him, he built some great relationships with them. But I’m happy with his decision and I’m excited for him.”
