ROBINSON BACK FROM NEBRASKA
Back in July, four-star Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills athlete/offensive skill position star Wandale Robinson narrowed his list to Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Purdue. Of all of those schools Nebraska was probably the longest of long shots, but now that Robinson has followed through on plans to officially visit Lincoln, where do things stand?
First, the circumstances of the trip turned out to be unique. It was supposed to be Scott Frost's great homecoming, that season opener that's always sold out in Nebraska. But weather actually caused the game to be cancelled. So Robinson didn't get to experience the game day atmosphere at the Big Ten school, although he did get a taste for the passion of that fan base.
Robinson told HuskerOnline.com, "I did not expect the trip to go as well as it did. I was kind of expecting Nebraska to be a place where there really wasn't much to do and Lincoln wasn't going to be as exciting as it was. I was extremely blown away by the whole visit, by all the coaches and everybody I met, and it was just a very, very good visit overall."
Each of the schools on Robinson's list offers something a little different. Nebraska's offense under Scott Frost and the passion of that fan base are probably what attract him to the Cornhuskers, but Cats Illustrated sources have not said anything that would lead us to believe that NU is Kentucky's main competition.
Michigan's anemic offensive showing against Notre Dame hurts the Wolverines' cause. Robinson plans to officially visit Alabama the weekend of September 22nd before making a decision in October, so where he fits into the Tide's recruiting plans will be significant, too.
If Kentucky struggles a lot between now and October that could complicate things but for now we're still hearing optimism. The schedule is not easy, however, so that will be interesting to watch.
GIBSON NARROWS LIST TO THREE
Fresh off his official visit to Kentucky, three-star Springfield (Ohio) defensive tackle Isaiah Gibson has narrowed his list to Kentucky, Purdue and Wisconsin. That those three schools would make Gibson's list of finalists was not a surprise. While Florida and Georgia had entered the picture in recent weeks, it seemed like Big Ten schools were going to stick around as Kentucky's most serious competition for the Ohioan. That held true.
Wisconsin has been involved for a long time and Purdue has probably made up a little ground recently, but everything Cats Illustrated is hearing points towards UK as the school Gibson is likely to pick when his September 19th decision rolls around.
SEVERAL LOUISVILLE PROSPECTS ATTENDED UK'S OPENER
Class of 2019 Louisville prospects J.J. Weaver, Jared Casey and UK commitment Demontae Crumes all attended Kentucky's opener against Central Michigan and here's the vibe we're getting.
Crumes is solid with Kentucky. Casey is someone UK has felt good about for a while, though there has always been a sense that it will be a fight. The fact that he showed up for a visit was important, but if he decides to follow through with an official to UK that would be even better news. As for Weaver, Purdue has long been a top option for him but the longer this goes on, there's a hope, from some, that the Boilermakers might fade. Purdue, UK and UofL do seem to be the main options, still.
TUNE IN TO NW MISSISSIPPI TONIGHT
While the start of the NFL regular season has pushed Thursday night college football back a week, UK fans can watch Northwest Mississippi C.C. online (nwccrangers.com/watch at 7 p.m. CST).
Why?
Because UK defensive line commitment Taures Payne will be playing for the Rangers. Offensive lineman Lavante Epson is planning to officially visit Kentucky. He'll be playing as well. And then Ranger defensive back Brandin Echols, who just told Cats Illustrated he will be officially visiting UK for the Cats' game against Mississippi State, will be in action as well.
UK could land all three players and smart money says they'll get at least two.
Back in July, four-star Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills athlete/offensive skill position star Wandale Robinson narrowed his list to Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Purdue. Of all of those schools Nebraska was probably the longest of long shots, but now that Robinson has followed through on plans to officially visit Lincoln, where do things stand?
First, the circumstances of the trip turned out to be unique. It was supposed to be Scott Frost's great homecoming, that season opener that's always sold out in Nebraska. But weather actually caused the game to be cancelled. So Robinson didn't get to experience the game day atmosphere at the Big Ten school, although he did get a taste for the passion of that fan base.
Robinson told HuskerOnline.com, "I did not expect the trip to go as well as it did. I was kind of expecting Nebraska to be a place where there really wasn't much to do and Lincoln wasn't going to be as exciting as it was. I was extremely blown away by the whole visit, by all the coaches and everybody I met, and it was just a very, very good visit overall."
Each of the schools on Robinson's list offers something a little different. Nebraska's offense under Scott Frost and the passion of that fan base are probably what attract him to the Cornhuskers, but Cats Illustrated sources have not said anything that would lead us to believe that NU is Kentucky's main competition.
Michigan's anemic offensive showing against Notre Dame hurts the Wolverines' cause. Robinson plans to officially visit Alabama the weekend of September 22nd before making a decision in October, so where he fits into the Tide's recruiting plans will be significant, too.
If Kentucky struggles a lot between now and October that could complicate things but for now we're still hearing optimism. The schedule is not easy, however, so that will be interesting to watch.
GIBSON NARROWS LIST TO THREE
Fresh off his official visit to Kentucky, three-star Springfield (Ohio) defensive tackle Isaiah Gibson has narrowed his list to Kentucky, Purdue and Wisconsin. That those three schools would make Gibson's list of finalists was not a surprise. While Florida and Georgia had entered the picture in recent weeks, it seemed like Big Ten schools were going to stick around as Kentucky's most serious competition for the Ohioan. That held true.
Wisconsin has been involved for a long time and Purdue has probably made up a little ground recently, but everything Cats Illustrated is hearing points towards UK as the school Gibson is likely to pick when his September 19th decision rolls around.
SEVERAL LOUISVILLE PROSPECTS ATTENDED UK'S OPENER
Class of 2019 Louisville prospects J.J. Weaver, Jared Casey and UK commitment Demontae Crumes all attended Kentucky's opener against Central Michigan and here's the vibe we're getting.
Crumes is solid with Kentucky. Casey is someone UK has felt good about for a while, though there has always been a sense that it will be a fight. The fact that he showed up for a visit was important, but if he decides to follow through with an official to UK that would be even better news. As for Weaver, Purdue has long been a top option for him but the longer this goes on, there's a hope, from some, that the Boilermakers might fade. Purdue, UK and UofL do seem to be the main options, still.
TUNE IN TO NW MISSISSIPPI TONIGHT
While the start of the NFL regular season has pushed Thursday night college football back a week, UK fans can watch Northwest Mississippi C.C. online (nwccrangers.com/watch at 7 p.m. CST).
Why?
Because UK defensive line commitment Taures Payne will be playing for the Rangers. Offensive lineman Lavante Epson is planning to officially visit Kentucky. He'll be playing as well. And then Ranger defensive back Brandin Echols, who just told Cats Illustrated he will be officially visiting UK for the Cats' game against Mississippi State, will be in action as well.
UK could land all three players and smart money says they'll get at least two.
