Former Auburn DL, member of 2022 recruiting class, reveals Big Ten transfer destination

One former Auburn defensive lineman from the 2022 recruiting class is moving on via the transfer portal. That player is Enyce Sledge who announced Saturday he is heading to Illinois.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 311 pounds, Sledge was a 3-star prospect out of Louisiana. The 247 Sports Composite had Sledge as the 119th overall DL coming out of high school.

Sledge redshirted as a true freshman with the Tigers and appeared in 2 games during the 2023 season. Now, he’ll head to Champaign and suit up for Bret Bielema’s Illini defense.

I’m Home?same mission new path #kingofiLLi?? #AGTG @IlliniFootball #famILLy pic.twitter.com/OdNBrelon4

— Enyce Sledge (@The_RealAPE) December 9, 2023

While Sledge did not make much of an on-field impact for Auburn, he could have a path to quicker playing time at Illinois.

The Illini defense was led this season by a pair of impact defensive linemen Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. Newton was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year as an interior DL.

Both of those players are headed to the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Illini could turn to Sledge to help replace part of that production.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.