There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

Below is a post I made in July, going to give you some updates on each one afterwards.

*** Starting to get a sense of what the 2025 class could potentially look like for Kentucky.

Braylon Mullins: Feel strongly that Kentucky is in the top three here and they’ll have a very solid shot until the end. If he’s going to leave the state of Indiana I think Kentucky and UConn are the best bets there, with Kentucky being much closer to home and UConn being the top dog in the sport currently.

Malachi Moreno: Kentucky’s right at the top here. Don’t think it’s a lock that he ends up there, but there’s a very good chance. Other teams have and staffs have been recruiting him a long time and are still putting in work for him consistently.

Tounde Yessoufou: Another one Kentucky’s firmly in the mix with. Other schools I’ve heard recent buzz about in conversation are Arizona and Tennessee. Kentucky is getting the last visit.

Jasper Johnson: Don’t think Kentucky is out of it, but I wouldn’t tab them as the leader here. He has a final five but I’d bet on it coming down to Alabama, Kentucky, and North Carolina. ***

Updated:

Mullins is still the same with Duke poking around to join the schools I mentioned.

I agree with all of the crystal balls that have Moreno tabbed to Kentucky.

I’m told Yessoufou mostly comes down to Kentucky and Tennessee

Alabama buzz for Jasper is very justified. He’s their top target and they’ve done a great job in this recruitment.

Blue, blue, white in case anyone wants to know.

Lots to talk about right now when recruiting is front and center.

Announcing his commitment on Friday. Should be one UK fans feel good about going into. Arguably the best center prospect in the country (I don’t see Cenac as a center, some have him listed as that).

Think about it..we not only have a killer roster but we have a competent coach! We not only have talent but we have big time experience! We also have a Pitino guy.

Thats a deadly combo that we really havent had since 1997.

If we pummel South Carolina Saturday. Looking at the slate, Alabama at Wisconsin is the only game that currently looks better. The Badgers looked bad against Western Michigan, so that could change. I don’t think it’s likely, but I also don’t think it’s out of the question.

Animated series on Netflix. 8 episodes, 30 minutes each.

It's pretty good, very bingeable. Someone had a good point in a review I read, in that it was a better story and better written than any Terminator that come out after T2.

Timothy Olyphant voices the Terminator, although I think he only has a handful of lines.

Curious if anyone has seen it yet. Explores a lot of other topics with time paradox, AI, etc.

Before his injury, I thought Jones looked WAY better his 2nd year and was primed to make one of the all SEC teams. Johnson is a huge presence. Just going to be in the right spot and strike fast. I do see issues with he and Jackson on the field together vs the better SEC offenses we will see this year, but we'll see.

I was there and couldn't keep track of how Rayner looked at LB? Afari looked to me to be a star this year.

Get the secondary shored up and we can beat some good teams this year. Pass D in the secodnary looked surprisingly suspect at times, but wonder if we held Waller out on purpose for just this game.

Good morning, HOB. I’m on my way over to campus for today’s practice report. It’s defense day, as per usual on Thursdays, so we’ll be chatting with Brad White and select coaches and players from that side of the ball as we inch closer and closer to the season opener. Practice is slated to end around Noon ET. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…

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BRAD WHITE Q&A:

* On Rayner’s progression… Body comp was big for him in offseason, adding muscle and weight to withstand rigors of SEC playing inside. Understanding of scheme is much better, auto-correcting himself a lot now. Good to see. Flying around, making plays. Feel goood about depth and experience in that room. Gonna lean on that.

* On where they are at this stage of camp… Glad that we have a couple of weeks left, but likes the energy and focus. We are right about where we should be right now.

* Veterans really helping accelerate things for young guys they’re gonna need.

* On Oxendine… You’ve seen the added weight and strength show up to function at a high level. You watch him do some things and say, “That’s the Ox we really need.”

* On improvement areas… 3rd down, obviously, needs a step forward. Being more consistent and level-headed, being able to attack the next series with swagger, even if you just gave something up.

* On Fearbry… Improving, carrying over good stuff from spring. Another guy who needs consistency and to realize every play doesn’t need to be a highlight reel play.

* On Waller… You feel his length out there, even if the positioning isn’t perfect. Broken record, but consistency is big for him.

* Excited about Nichols’ future at CB, but pumping the brakes a bit on getting too hyped about some of the comments from the offense.

*****

DL COACH ANWAR STEWART Q&A:

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* On Kendrick Gilbert... Probably been the best surprise of the DL group. Really working hard. He had a lot of baby fat when he got here, trimmed down a bit, but then lost some more weight after surgery. They've been doing a great job getting good weight back on him. When you look at that body, he looks fantastic.

* DL looks at itself as the engine that makes everything go. Have to play violent. Great teams usually have that great D-Line play.

* DL has great camaraderie off the field. Kahlil Saunders likes to cook. They enjoy eating his meals.

* On keeping Deone Walker level-headed... You have to shut out the noise and stay focused on the work that is required to reach that level expected of him. You can't just read everything and believe it. They'll tear you down as soon as they build you up.

* On keys to Kendrick being productive playing inside despite losing weight... Quickness. And Coach White has a good plan for when to use him in situations where he can take advantage of it.

* Not a lot of people talking about Saunders, but he had a really nice scrimmage on Saturday. Thinks he could be big for them this season.

* Ox is looking like that physical, quick guy we saw a couple of years ago. He's finally back to a consistent weight and eating right. He's locked in and doing some really good things right now.

*****

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DL OCTAVIOUS OXENDINE & KENDRICK GILBERT:

* Ox says he's feeling good about his weight going into this season. Feels like he has more confidence to play his best.

* Praises Farmer for his work on the OL. Also since Mincey has been a good pickup.

* On Kendrick Gilbert... Been showing some flashes of big-time ability. More than just flashes, consistently making plays. Feels like he's going to be a big part of this defense.

* On Saturday's scrimmage... OL is playing well, moving their feet. WRs doing a lot of good things with their routes. Offensive style seems really fun. The offense and defense is taking turns making plays, both looking for more consistency overall. That's the big key for both sides. Defense had a really good day today.

* Gilbert feels like he’s learned a lot from the older guys, following their lead, and is healthy and eager to show what he can do now. He really missed playing football.

* There's a big opportunity with Hayes and Gadsen being down. He's trying to move in there and fill their shoes. Adjusting to move inside despite losing about 20-30 pounds when he was out due to surgery. Back to 270, trying to get to 275. It’s coming back on. Looks amazing.

* Close bond in the D-Line room. Guys pushing each other. No selfishness in that room. Loves playing for Coach Stew.

* Eli Cox is a tough challenge, a big vet in the middle of the OL. Keenum has also been a good battle every day.

Article from Larry Vaught on Otega Oweh.

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From earlier this morning. He’s strongly implying they’ve got Jasper Johnson locked up. If that’s true; next.

Will he still be the coach when we play Florida? He’s not gonna make it through the year.

I thought this was an interesting article by Norlander, with lots of quotes from other coaches.