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DAILY BLAST: 4/16

JRowland

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May 29, 2001
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Along with the visitor thread, also pinned, I'll be providing regular updates on most days. These will focus on Kentucky targets and what's going on with UK and other schools. I'll save analysis and the in-depth stuff for War Rooms, and some of the items mentioned here are worthy of their own threads, so you can always feel free to start one up on something you see here.

April 17, 2015

Florida DB Henry Miller, all 6-feet, 3-inches of him, plans to announce a top ten in the near future. He told me last night that Kentucky is one of the schools he wants to visit, so I think it's a safe bet that the Cats make that top ten. Like this player a lot. Legit 6-foot-3, 195 pound cornerback with hips and fluidity.

Spoke with QB Cole Kelley, recently offered by UK, and he's at Arkansas this weekend. Wouldn't be surprised if he commits to the Razorbacks soon. Kentucky's a bit new to him and he's looking to decide relatively soon.



April 16, 2015

Virginia receiver Eric Kumah lists Kentucky as one of his ten favorites. He canceled his earlier trip but told me he will be trying to reschedule.

Story on Donta Evans on the front page. After his third trip to UK he says the Cats are "definitely" top three on his list.

There's a Kentucky mention in this story on '17 quarterback Hunter Johnson.


April 13, 2015

Tons of content here on the board with reaction/reaction summaries from visitors over the weekend.

UK will go to Gunnar Hoak's school (Dublin Coffman) in the very near future. They will be in touch with him. Not going to threaten him but they will make it clear that he probably will not have until June to make his decision.

Tylin Oden will visit this coming weekend. Maybe going to be there with his 2018 brother, who is also very good. Did not get the impression he's visiting with the intent of committing. Too early and hasn't been talking to UK for long enough. But he is very interested. Also likes ND and Tennessee.


April 6, 2015

As you all know by now Oklahoma leads for Kendall and it's either going to be Oklahoma or Auburn. What does that mean for Kentucky? I've mentioned Messiah deWeaver. I've mentioned Chandler Garrett down in Texas. Of course they offered Logan Byrd.

DB Javon Jackson visited UNC over the weekend. He told me he's still in just about weekly contact with Derrick Ansley. UK, GT, UNC and more recently Louisville are among those most interested.

Armunz Mathews is a Florida DB UK has been in on for a while. Lately Wisconsin has the momentum. Not sure he's a take. He had been planning to OV to UK in September, largely because he's very close with Kendall Randolph. But now he's set to decide soon.

2017 OL Dillan Gibbons committed to Notre Dame. Recently picked up a UK offer.

As reported recently, UK DB commit Davonte Robinson will visit ND.

Here's a primer on DT Rakavian Poydras - probably one of the best names I've come across in many years. He claims UK interest.


April 3, 2015

Tons of conflicting info about Austin Kendall floating around. Waiting to hear more from UK sources but recently they felt good. Oklahoma feels good, supposedly, and Auburn's guys are hearing UK or Auburn. I should be able to provide more later today and I know the recruiting writer with the Auburn site is supposed to talk to Kendall before he leaves for the Plains at noon. That will be soon.

As for the Logan Byrd offer, I think Arkansas is a pretty major player and maybe the leader. We will see, though. The UK offer is interesting because I don't have reason to believe they're a very short list school.

Recently offered linebacker Aaron Hansford is probably leaning to Ohio State.

Schools are still after former Kentucky resident and tight end currently in Georgia, Sam Letton, but I was told a while back he wouldn't be a take for the Cats.


March 31, 2015

Four-star LB Ethan Tucky says Indiana's "definitely up there" after his trip to Bloomington. UK still feels pretty good about their chances here.

Story up on the front page about Marcus "Tank" Jenkins, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound high school freshman who recently picked up his first offer from Kentucky.

Recently offered LB Tyrone Hopper says he has no favorites.

Sources still optimistic on Rivals100 QB Austin Kendall as of this morning.

Here's our story on WR Jacob Robertson from yesterday. He plans to visit UK, Tennessee and Louisville very soon.

March 27, 2015

Alex Gellerstedt is visiting Penn State this weekend. Definitely a school to watch as they're commanding a lot of respect from recruits these days.

Still have not heard much on where Jaylin Bannerman stands with his rumored visit to Michigan State coming up.

As mentioned in another post Mid-Atlantic analyst Adam Friedman still predicts Austin Kendall to Kentucky even post-OU offer. We'll obviously have to continue monitoring that situation closely because people close to the Sooners' program are optimistic.

Rahshaun Smith committed to Clemson this week. The five-star linebacker is very close with Kobie Walker and had visited UK in the past calling that one of his best visits.

OG Jack Wohlabaugh is someone Kentucky has been on for a while. Haven't heard much lately and it seems they may be leaning towards taking a tackle with both Drake Jackson and Luke Fortner as likely interior linemen. Ohio State is among the other schools starting to turn it up with him.


March 23, 2015

UK is the clear No. 1 for near five-star QB Austin Kendall. Auburn's No. 2.

Fresh off an offer from Kentucky, elite Michigan 2017 prospect Corey Malone-Hatcher has added ND.


March 20, 2015

Rivals.com's analysts break down the 2016 players ranked the Rivals100 range of No. 21-40. Austin Kendall (No. 27) is part of that breakdown. Their prediction: Kendall to Kentucky.

Speaking of Kendall, here's a preview of the RCS QB challenge in Atlanta he'll be at.

Four-star cornerback John Broussard visits Kentucky on April 25. Will be tough to sway him from Auburn but ... we'll see. I'm not sure if Markail Benton and Jamal Couch will visit with him. They've been to Kentucky before. They're teammates of his at Phenix (Ala.) Central.

Dee Walker was one of several players from Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County that visited UK last week. He claims an offer from UK, as do a couple of his teammates that visited. Kiel Pollard visited with him as well. Sihiem King, UK's 2015 RB/slot signee, is their older teammate.

Walker says Louisville is his favorite. I've said I think Tucky, Jones and Simms are probably at the top of UK's board.


March 19, 2015

As posted yesterday UK offered the big-time defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher from Michigan largely because of his family ties to Kentucky.

Pretty sure UK has moved on completely from Quinton Baker. He seems to be acknowledging that and turning the page.

Reported yesterday that Stone Forsythe does favor UK but that might change if he gets an offer or two in particular. So that's a situation to be careful about IMO.

Also as reported yesterday I believe the top linebacker targets are Keith Simms, Ethan Tucky and Jonathan Jones. Possibly Brock Miller and Griffin Grady. I think they would absolutely take two of the three first liners and maybe two period.

Linebacker Donta Evans' stock is rising and we reported on him after he visited UK recently. Here's a story on his visit to Clemson a little while back. NC State is up next as a visit destination.

Believe Austin Kendall is visiting this weekend and hearing good things.

Here's a story on Michigan OT Alaric Jackson, who is being recruited by Vince Marrow. Josh Helmholdt gives a great report with a UK mention.

Here's the latest on UK's pursuit of Ohio DB Anthony Johnson. Kind of a slow-moving holding pattern for now.


March 16, 2015

Kayaune Ross opened up and gave a great interview for this piece right here on Cats Illustrated.

And ICYMI, here's an in-depth story on fellow 2016 commit Asim Rose.

Should have a great story coming soon on Tavin Richardson. I had a long talk with him this weekend. He says he's actually about 6-foot-3 1/2 and 210 right now. Talked about his offseason workout plan, his relationships at Kentucky, his expectations coming in, and his development as a player.

Four-star ATH Rontavius Groves is someone UK would love to land but it's getting a little harder. Penn State's his latest offer.

March 15, 2015

You may remember hearing about Deuce Wallace as a secondary QB target of sorts. Neal Brown was watching him and he visited UK. Did not have an offer. Northwestern offered and he's committed now to them.

Four-star RB Kentrail Moran visited UK earlier in the process but Kentucky never offered. He committed to Illinois.

Four-star corner John Broussard announces May 7. Kentucky is a finalist but it's looking increasingly likely as though Auburn will be the choice.


March 13, 2015

Not worth linking something a little old but I wanted to note something interesting in a recent story about Russ Yeast, Craig's son. The 2017 receiver has been offered by Mike Leach and WSU as well as Kentucky. He actually said he's not really a burner, so he's unlike his father in that regard. He is, however, a real technician on his routes and is very fundamentally sound.

On a related note, I really don't know how much interest there is in Keion Wakefield now. UK has three receiver commits. Have to wonder whether two early apparent no brainers -- Wakefield and Baker -- misplayed their hand in waiting and in Baker's case decommitting.

Messiah deWeaver says UK is still in the mix. Michigan State is probably the front runner.


March 10, 2015

On the front page there's a video of Jonathan Jones talking about Kentucky. He's got ties to the state.

Here read the latest on Russ Yeast, son of Craig Yeast and an impressive 2017 receiver.

The Class of 2017's first list of rankings are out for Rivals.com and you can check up on it here.


March 9, 2015

Check the board for an update on commit Jordan Griffin. Says he's solid and has a great visit. Other schools are coming hard after him. Davonte Robinson, Drake Jackson and others visited, too.

Believe Eric Kumah, a receiver from Virginia, visited over the weekend. Was not able to reach him so not 100-percent sure.

What We Learned from the Rivals Camp Series event in Miami. UK target Baveon Johnson was very good. So was Johnny Huntley.

Linebacker Erroll Thompson visited Auburn over the weekend. Another linebacker and fellow UK target, Donta Evans, visited UNC for the Duke game. Louisville offered him the next day.

March 7, 2015

Three-star Virginia receiver Eric Kumah should be visiting today.

We report here on Caleb Rozar, a 2017 prospect from Clarksville, Tenn., whose sister attends Kentucky. His first offer is from UK. Those ties mean UK should be a major player even if other major SEC schools offer.

Andrew Bone of the Alabama site here on Rivals.com reported yesterday that Kentucky offered P.J. Blue, a four-star linebacker from Montgomery (Ala.) Park Crossing.

We recently reported on linebacker Jonathan Jones, who has Kentucky in his top five largely because of a significant family presence in the area. Here's an update on his recruitment from a distinct Miami angle.

I've spoken with some sources. There are a few folks here that have wondered about some of the early "takes". I can personally say that I am very impressed with Kentucky's '16 class so far. Whether you like the ranking or not, I would advise you to look at each player on his own merit. One person told me recently, "Most of these guys (the UK staff has) seen in camp. They're the best guys (they've) seen in person."

So they aren't taking guys blind. Especially for the Ohio guys they've taken, they've watched them against other players. Dakota Holtzclaw would be an example. He's a receiver, BTW. Just to reiterate, got confirmation on that.


March 6, 2015

According to this report three-star Virginia receiver Eric Kumah will unofficially visit Kentucky this weekend. Good timing, as he will trim his list soon.

Linebacker Brock Miller with some very positive quotes for UK in this story from the NC State site. This is basically what he told me. What he means by the "differences" between the SEC school he saw (Kentucky) and the ACC schools he saw (Duke, NC State, Wake) is Kentucky's facilities and plans for investments are more impressive.

I spoke with Detroit offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, who Marrow offered yesterday. Has some interest in Kentucky. Michigan State's a major player there. Could visit down the road.


March 4, 2015

Defensive tackle Keyshon Camp gave me a top five in a recent interview. When CaneSport.com caught up with him he gave a top four, which was what he told me minus Louisville.

From the Alabama high school site here's a recap of Erroll Thompson's recent visits to Lexington and Tuscaloosa.

As I posted yesterday, I'm hearing some chatter that news could be coming on Austin Kendall very soon. Not sure how long it would take to trickle out and I'm not even sure if the news would be good or bad. Just stayed tuned. I don't think we're in "refresh" obsessive mode yet, though.

March 3, 2015

Read about Jack Wohlabaugh's trip to Kentucky here.

Couple of new offers reported on the board yesterday. Just skim below this for that.

Four-star DE Jordan Woods lists Kentucky as one of the schools he's in the most contact with.


March 2, 2015

UPDATE: Four-star corner John Broussard visited Georgia and here's the review.

Lots of front page content up with features on Dakota Holtzclaw (new commit), Griffin Grady (new offer) and Gentry Bonds (new offer).

Both Derek and I are hearing very good vibes on Austin Kendall and UK's chances.

Nothing immediately of note has come of Kendall's trip to Tennessee. Then again, we didn't expect him to immediately rule out UK or flip out of the visit anyways.

6-foot-4 DB Henry Miller visited Miami over the weekend. He's got a UK offer.

Drake Jackson's friend Trent Maynard talks about Northwestern visit - read here. He visited Kentucky recently and has an overnight set up at Tennessee in mid-March.

Top 2017 quarterback Hunter Johnson was the top overall performer at Pylon on Sunday. This kid's a beast behind center and Kentucky's a serious option.

March 1, 2015

Junior Day in the books and Kentucky got another commitment out of it. Seems like UK's junior days have been a little smaller this year and that seems to be a trend nationally. Certainly working giving the commitments of late.

Kentucky's up to a dozen commitments with just nine or ten remaining. Still lots of drama left as they jockey guys on the board, gear up for more visitors, the spring evaluation, the QB needs, camps, etc.

Here's the junior day reaction thread. Will have more today. Bannerman told me via DM (his phone's broke) that the coaches and all the other recruits made him feel right at home, hence the commitment. He's a 'Jack' OLB for the Cats.

Three ILB offerees attended yesterday -- Ethan Tucky, Erroll Thompson and Donta Evans. That was one of the main story lines. It's an obvious focus in this year's class and I think they'll get one of those guys. If you're looking for other 'guys to watch' coming out of yesterday keep an eye out for Brock Miller, Tommy Carnifax, TJ London and Dakota Holtzclaw.

2017 UK quarterback target Hunter Johnson was one of the top performers at the Pylon 7-on-7. In the 'Recruiting Notebook' section Kentucky is not mentioned. He did say Tennessee and Penn State are recruiting him the hardest. However, we know Kentucky is very much involved. Johnson's visited multiple times and his teamate Toks Akinribade told me that UK, UNC and Michigan State were the three schools they were both very interested in.

February 28, 2015

If you're wondering who some of Kentucky's visitors will be you can check the VISITOR THREAD pinned at the top of the board. Some of the visitors include Anthony Johnson, Jaylin Bannerman, Donta Evans, Erroll Thompson, Ty Chandler ('17), Griffin Grady, Brendan Scales, Ethan Tucky, Brock Miller, T.J. London, likely several of the commitments, Austin Conrad (C.J.'s brother),

Here's our Q & A with new commit Justin Rigg in case you missed it.

Florida running back Tony Jones, who plans to visit Kentucky, talks about Notre Dame's offer.

February 27, 2015

Not sure how much of this is just who he's talking to but receiver Johnny Huntley didn't mention plans to visit Kentucky. He did mention WVU, Louisville and TCU in this story.

JUCO defensive tackle Tyrell Chavis claims an early offer from Kentucky. I talked to Chavis several times when he was a high school recruit out of Virginia a couple of years back. Not a bad player. We know Brumbaugh is inclined towards JUCO defensive linemen because of his recruiting connections there.

Just a note: Justin Rigg said one main reason for his early commitment to Kentucky was his understanding that the 'Cats will only take one tight end this year. We shall see. Brendan Scales has been planning to visit this weekend and he's got an offer. Other recent offers to Zach Williams (from Florida), Noah Davis and Brandon Chapman (Ohio), etc. .... We'll see if they factor in at all. They might just be happy with Rigg. He would give them four scholarship TE's in 2016.

February 26, 2015

Midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt reports on Missouri tight end Brendan Scales, who shares his thoughts on Kentucky's recent offer as well as an interesting nugget on his brother.

Right here on CI we reported on Tyler Simmons, who made last minute plans to visit Kentucky this past weekend. He picked up an offer while he was in town.

UK is not currently in defensive lineman Mykelle McDaniels' top five, though the 'Cats have offered.

Kentucky recently offered four-star Potomac (Md.) Bullis linebacker Cameron Brown -- that's a Navy prep school. I spoke with him and no plans to visit UK as of now. An aside, he's got an offer-worthy teammate in Patrick Johnson, but I'm sure the UK coaches are aware of him. The news is better on four-star receiver Tino Ellis, who does expect to visit Kentucky at some point.

Jordan Wells of the Notre Dame site here on Rivals.com tells me that Missouri defensive back Roderick Campbell considers Kentucky one of his top choices. It's commonly believed that the Irish are at the top of his list.



This post was edited on 4/17 5:49 AM by JRowland
 
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