Rock, have you heard if UK brought in any recruits to visit practice this week while in FLA? Saw where a few ex-players visited as well as the Auburn OL transfer Manning but haven't heard about recruits. UK seems to have scaled back FL recruiting of late, expanding in other areas such as Mid-TN/Up East. Just curious, TIA.
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No. Don't think it had been a huge focal point just yet with Sumrall still coaching through the bowl game and the December signing period wrapped up. I'm sure Stoops has privately been doing research and/or having conversations, but the December signing period, Christmas holiday, bowl prep, etc has taken precedent. If I had to guess, I think a hire would be made by mid January.
Not sure he really has a defined area at this time. He was big, along with Coen in getting Barion Brown. You are correct though that he would seemingly have contacts in the NE part of the country.
I read where Goodwin said he could not get off the phone with Michigan St. coach Mel Tucker to make his announcement. He said he was on the phone with Tucker for hours leading up to his press conference. He didn’t even have time to let Stoops know he was announcing for UK because Tucker would not hang up . Seems like the ncaa should make signing day a “dead period “ . I always just assumed it was. Sure would take a lot of stress off of these kids .
Hey Rock…Do you have any insight on Dort? Was there a reason he decided to enter the portal and transfer? Did the staff try to get him to return? From the outside looking in, it seemed like he was an experienced guy that would have got his PT.
19 high school signees plus 4 transfers is 23. Would normally be 2 spots, but with the transfer rule this year allowing for 7 additional spots, would make 9 spots I believe. So more than plenty.
But I believe you have to count returning super seniors against the 85 man limit this year. And isn’t there 5 of those? And Goodfellow was promised a scholarship for this year too.
Goodfellow is a SS and did receive a scholarship, but we also had 8 Sr's leave for the draft or transfer out, plus around 10 underclassmen portal out. UK will likely not release the roster until after NSD/Spring practice.
Rock_Cat78, do you know whether or not UK made Wolford a counteroffer? Also, how quickly do you think Stoops moves on a replacement for Wolford? Clearly he wants somebody by spring, 6 weeks or so, but will he move quickly to get his guy in place? TIA.
Do not know, but don't think it would have matter either way. Don't think Stoops will move quickly on a new hire. This is a hugely important hire and must be gotten right. Also, Stoops typically takes his time with new hires and recruiting is entering a dead period from today through the entire month of February.
Right about what? Understand that assistant coaches in the college/pro game are nomads. Continuity is fun to talk about, we'd all like to have it with good coaches but it seldom happens. Wolford had a chance to work for a HOF coach, probable GOAT, and he took it. Why not?
Thanks Rock. I just hope UK's ready to hit the recruiting ground running, '23 is a very, very important year.
Rock, I've noticed on Twitter over the past few days that Coach Stoops has made several offers in TN mainly to '24s/'25s. I'm guessing he's wanting to get the UK product out there in guys minds prior to moving in whomever will be the lead recruiter for the area. To me this is unprecedented for the HC to be this active this early in the process but shows how much he views the importance of TN to UK's future. Glad to see it. You have an opinion on these early offers by the HC? TIA.
My guess is he is doing some of the recruiting there until he figures out who will recruit the area.
Have not at this time, but would imagine that we'll learn more as Yenser gets started with the guys during spring practice.
Saw your mention of a Top 250 OL visiting, any news on Luke Brown/Joe Crocker?
Yeah that was an updated post from last fall on Brycen Sanders from Tennessee who had visited a couple of times before. Kentucky is out on that one per Josh Edwards due to OL coaching change. Nothing new on Brown or Crocker at the moment.
Thanks, disappointing news re Sanders. Maybe an indication Wolford will really be missed at least as a recruiter. Got to keep the mid-TN focus going. Maybe taking Wood's commit is a signal that adjustments are coming.
Wolford is a big time recruiter and will definitely be missed in that regard.
That was an old thread about him that I bumped instead of starting a new thread. Why I added updated info in the thread title.
No. That thread was created last fall when he was visiting for the Florida game. He has no plans to visit UK again after the coaching change. I simply bumped an old thread about him with the updated info instead of starting a new thread about him.
OK, thanks for the explanation. Losing 5 coaches, including some of the better recruiters, in 8-10 months is a lot to overcome. UK seems to be trying to regain traction and it's been slow.
They're apparently moving Eli Cox to C and he should do well there. His backup will be Quinton Wilson, he's played a lot but mostly at OG. Both those guys are upper classmen, that's why we should expect them to find a young guy to groom for the future, thinking it may be Burton and will now have Drake Jackson to work with him.
Which TF DB do you think could start like Westry and Valentine at Cornerback?
Sleeper OL this year like Cox?
Sleeper OL this year like Cox?
