Auburn is bolstering its No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class with senior safety Wayne Henry announcing his commitment to the Tigers on Monday.
The St. Francis College (Baltimore, Md.) standout has become Auburn’s sixth player in the 2026 cycle and the first defensive back in that group. He joins four-star defensive end Hezekiah Harris, four-star linebacker Shadarius Tudle, four-star linebacker JaMychal Garrett, four-star wide receiver Denaris ยท Gray and four-star offensive lineman Kyle Ellis.
While he’s still a long way from signing a National Letter of Intent for the 2026 recruits, Henry feels now is the perfect time for him to make his decision to commit. His relationship with the Auburn staff and his belief in the head coach Hugh Freeze Under construction is why Henry felt compelled to commit to the Tigers.
“I chose Auburn because of the culture and the environment,” Henry told Opponent. “It’s a winning culture, a family and a culture that works. As a 26-year-old player, why would I want to commit now? I feel like now is the right time. It’s not too early. , it’s not too late, so I feel like, right now, it’s the right time to commit.
Once on campus, Henry will play under defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Freeze DJ DurkinAssociate Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Charles Kellycornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff and other coaches.
Henry has a close relationship with Kelly, who will be his position coach at Auburn.
“Coach Kelly, that’s my guy,” Henry said. “We talk a lot, so that’s something close to my heart, Coach Kelly.”
Henry isn’t just connected to the coaching staff, though. Two of Henry’s teammates at St. Francis, four-star cornerback Blake Woodby and four-star linebacker Bryce Deese, have committed to Auburn’s top-five class of 2025.
Henry has a close relationship with Woodby and Deese and looks forward to playing with them at the college level in the future.
“That’s my guy,” Henry said of Woodby. “We play on the same (high school) team. We have a good relationship, so we might as well take it to the next level with (Woodby) and Bryce Deese.”
While Henry was primarily recruited by Auburn as a safety and nickelback, he provides versatility in the secondary and can play multiple positions.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Henry may need to gain some weight before reaching the college level, but he is healthy and a willing, strong tackler in run support. He combines his aggressiveness with speed and coverage ability to make plays down the field as a defender.
When asked to describe his game, Henry said: “I’m physical, I’m fast and I’m aggressive. “I’ve got skills too. So, like I can do everything on the pitch – I can play corners. , safety, nickel. I can play man coverage (in coverage), or I can play in the box, I can do anything on the field at a high level.
Henry is ranked No. 6 overall in Maryland and the No. 46 safety in the 2026 cycle.
He also received additional scholarship offers from Boston College, Florida, LSU, Maryland, MSU, Penn State, Tennessee and others.
Interestingly, Henry has yet to visit Auburn, but he plans to do so in the near future. Still, Auburn coaches have visited him in St. Francis, and he’s in regular communication with Kelly.
Henry would also like to express his gratitude to his mother (Katoya), his brothers (Makai, Tuin and Amir), his cousin (codename “X”) and his coaches for helping him during the recruiting process and support him.
