Auburn is bolstering its No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class, as high-three-safety Wayne Henry announced his commitment to the Tigers on Monday.
The Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) standout becomes the sixth commit in Auburn's 2026 cycle already, and the first defensive back in the group. He joins four-star defensive end Hezekiah Harris, four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle, four-star linebacker Jamichael Garrett, four-star wide receiver Denairius Gray and four-star offensive lineman Kail Ellis.
While there is still a long period of time remaining before he would sign his National Letter of Intent as a 2026 recruit, Henry felt like now was the perfect time for him to make a commitment decision. His relationship with Auburn's staff and his belief in what head coach Hugh Freeze is building is why Henry felt compelled to pledge to the Tigers.
"Why I committed to Auburn is because of the culture and the environment," Henry told Rivals. "It's a winning culture, family, and a culture that's going to work. Why I felt like committing now as a '26, I feel like right now is the right time. It wasn't too soon or too late, so I feel like, at this moment, it's just the right time to commit."
Once he reaches campus, Henry will play under Freeze, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach DJ Durkin, co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Charles Kelly, cornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff and the other coaches.
Henry has grown closest with Kelly, who will be his position coach at Auburn.
"Coach Kelly, that's my guy right there," Henry said. "We talk a lot, so that's the main one I'm really close with, Coach Kelly."
It's not just the coaching staff who Henry has a connection with, though. Two of Henry's teammates at Saint Frances Academy, four-star cornerback Blake Woodby and four-star linebacker Bryce Deas, are already committed to Auburn's top-five-ranked 2025 class.
Henry is close with Woodby and Deas and looks forward to playing with them at the college level in the future as well.
"That's my guy," Henry said about Woodby. "We play on the same (high school) team. We've got a good relationship, so we might as well bring it to the next level with (Woodby) and Bryce Deas."
While Henry is primarily being recruited as a safety and nickel back by Auburn, he provides positional versatility in the secondary and can play multiple spots.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Henry will likely need to add some weight before reaching the college level, but he's physical and a willing, hard-hitting tackler in run support. He combines his aggressiveness with his speed and coverage skills to make plays all over the field as a defender.
"I'm physical, fast, and aggressive," Henry said when asked to describe his game. "I've also got finesse. So, it's like I can do everything on the field — I can play corner, safety, nickel. I can guard man-to-man (in coverage), or I can play high. I can come and play in the box. I'm versatile. I can do anything on the field at a high level."
Henry ranks as the No. 6 player in the state of Maryland and the No. 46 safety in the 2026 cycle.
He has additional scholarship offers from Boston College, Florida, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and others.
Interestingly, Henry is yet to take a visit to Auburn, but he plans to do so in the near future. With that said, the Auburn coaches have visited him at Saint Frances, and he keeps in regular communication with Kelly.
Henry also wanted to give shout-outs to his mother (Katoya), his younger brothers (Makai, Twoine and Amir), his cousin (who goes by "X") and his coaches for helping him navigate the recruiting process and supporting him.
