In yesterday's War Room we tried to provide an up to date picture of where things stand with the top 2023 player in the state but also to explain Kentucky's interest level in each.
Michigan State, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisville, Pitt, Tennessee, and West Virginia are among the Power Five schools that have offered Columbus (Ohio) St Charles offensive lineman Ryan Carretta, who has emerged as a top 2023 offensive line target for the Cats. He visited Pitt, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Louisville, and Illinois during the fall. My understanding is Carretta began the recruiting process with a pretty wide open mind. Kentucky offered a few days days ago while Vince Marrow was on the road in the state. They will have to prioritize getting him on campus soon in the spring to make a strong impression because he is someone they seem to like.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods is a place where UK has recruited a lot in the past and the school is home to not one but two major Kentucky defensive back targets in Cameron Calhoun and Jermaine Mathews. Those two helped lead Winton Woods to a state championship.
Boston College, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky are Calhoun's early Power Five offers and he has a lot of G5 as well. At 6'2, 180 he has the kind of size you love. Calhoun has visited Kentucky three times and told me not too long ago, "It's a great program. They're phenomenal. They take care of their boys. They show love to their boys and they make you feel at home. At Kentucky they take that dog inside of you and make it come out. I just love that about them. And then the fans are crazy. I love the love from Kentucky fans. BBN is just amazing."
Calhoun's decision is going to largely be driven by his comfort level with the relationship he's got with the assistant coaches that are recruiting him. In that context his history with Kentucky and all those visits plus the Marrow angle makes this look interesting.
Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia have offered Matthews so he's got the same offers as Calhoun and a few more. Those offers have largely come in just the last couple of months so the word has only been out for a short while. His junior season had a lot to do with that. He's got some good film and put together a lot of big plays last year. Knack for being around the ball and good instincts plus the athleticism. Matthews did visit Kentucky for a game this year and that gives them a bit of leg up over some of the other schools that have offered but he hasn't visited.
Not calling UK an obvious favorite here but they're in good shape at this juncture.
The Winton Woods duo just mentioned is not the only pair of 2023 teammates from an Ohio school to hear from Kentucky. The Wildcats have also been pursuing a pair of wide receivers from Springfield, another very familiar location.
Anthony Brown is a four-star prospect ranked the No. 5 player in the state and he has been committed to Minnesota since right at the start of the last college and high school football season. However, there have been some rumblings that he could have an open mind and it wouldn't shock a lot of people if he ultimately reopened his recruitment. Not speaking to that with any kind of confidence but that's been some of the talk.
Minnesota had some significant turnover on the offensive coaching staff this offseason. They're bringing in a new OC who Brown already knew from West Virginia and I think he's going to want to feel like their passing game will be in good hands. In the meantime he just visited Penn State and will be visiting Michigan next weekend. So he definitely has an open mind and is still thinking but Kentucky will want to get in that game, too.
UK is definitely also involved with teammate Shawn Thigpen. Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse, and several G5s are schools that have offered the long, rangy and thin 6'4, 170-pound receiver. Thigpen had a really nice season with close to 800 yards but will require more S&C development to fill out his body. But he plays bigger than he is and is a vertical threat who can make competitive catches. There's a big catch radius not just because of his size but his receiving ability. Moe Douglass had a hand in jump starting Thigpen's recruitment and that relationship will remain for Kentucky even with Moses transferring out, I would imagine.
Kentucky has not yet offered 6'7, 300-pound Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier offensive lineman Rob Fogler but the Wildcats have some interest. He does have early offers from Indiana and several Group of Five schools. I know he has been willing to visit some schools that haven't offered yet so UK might want to get him on campus to see how that goes.
Breeon Ishmail of Hamilton is one of Kentucky's top defensive targets in the Buckeye State early in the 2023 class. He has offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, Pitt, Purdue, Tennessee, and West Virginia and is the No. 7 player in the state so no secret. I really like his tape. His teammate, Gabe Verdon, is a 6'2, 220-pound ILB with an offer from Purdue but I have not heard about Kentucky being interested.
Ishmail has been thought of alternately as an outside linebacker or a wide receiver. Every school loves that 6'5, 204-pound frame and it's got to fill out but I'm pretty sure UK sees him as an outside linebacker.
Kentucky's going to push hard here and the spring will tell us a lot, not only in terms of where he decides to visit but what schools will ultimately offer. Could he eventually be a guy that Michigan and Michigan State go hard after, or maybe even Ohio State? We shall see...
Kentucky and Cincinnati had emerged as the finalists for Washington, Ohio tight end Tanner LeMaster, who really looks the part at 6'6, 235. The best comp I've heard for LeMaster and agree with for sure on the surface is Justin Rigg. They look like very similar prospects in terms of build and how they move at similar stages in their development. Considering the number of snaps Rigg played for Kentucky that alone makes him intriguing. If I recall LeMaster would go on to say that he doesn't have any favorites. He's been around UK quite a bit. We'll see how the tight end board shakes out but LeMaster is somebody to watch.
Although 6'3, 205-pound three-star ATH Trevor Carter is verbally committed to Cincinnati and has been since November he's someone on the radar and don't be surprised if you hear about him more in the future. It's complicated with him being committed to UC and really not even sure about the interest level on his end at this point but I've heard that UK likes him.
He was a big recruiting win for the Bearcats. Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have also offered.
I spoke with Carter for the first time about 10 months ago right when he was coming into focus for the Cats.
Carter has been in contact with Kentucky for a long time.
"I'm from way southern Ohio right on the border with Kentucky, about five minutes away from Ashland, so the University of Kentucky is not that far from where I live," he said. "Just a couple of hours, so definitely not far. I know it's a great, great tradition with that football team and overall in terms of the school I know they have some great career choices. They also have some great facilities, so I'm definitely very interested."
Marrow will be assigned the task of trying to flip him or at least to keep the lines of communication open. Sumrall had made the case that the SEC was the right place for Carter to develop but it seems like watching UC's season which eventually culminated in the playoffs might have been tough to contend with in the moment. For UK to still be interested there may be some openness here.
Heard Nigel Glover's name mentioned recently for the first time. Has offers from Boston College, Illinois, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt. Rivals has Glover listed as a 6'3, 200 pound safety but he could develop into a linebacker as well. Could be a versatile hybrid kind of guy who can cover, blitz, and play the run.
He has been to West Virginia and Cincinnati lately with a desire to visit more schools. I wouldn't be surprised if Kentucky eventually moves on him, then we'd see his interest level.
Kentucky is very excited about Alex Afari. I think he's one of the most underappreciated (don't want to say underrated, he's four-stars, just in terms of the focus) players in UK's 2022 signing class and the Cats also seem to really like his younger teammate and fellow defensive back at Lakota West - Malik Hartford.
The three-star (5.7) prospect is No. 6 overall in Ohio, which means he's a very strong candidate for a fourth star eventually. He has offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.
Hartford has carried a GPA that is well over 4.0 and coaches everywhere fell in love with his early season film from 2021. He camped at Cincinnati and did attend a game at Kentucky this year. During the season Hartford told me that Cincinnati was his closest relationship.
** Note this isn't an exhaustive list, just an overview at this moment of the Ohio players I've heard the most about in reference to Kentucky.
Michigan State, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisville, Pitt, Tennessee, and West Virginia are among the Power Five schools that have offered Columbus (Ohio) St Charles offensive lineman Ryan Carretta, who has emerged as a top 2023 offensive line target for the Cats. He visited Pitt, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Louisville, and Illinois during the fall. My understanding is Carretta began the recruiting process with a pretty wide open mind. Kentucky offered a few days days ago while Vince Marrow was on the road in the state. They will have to prioritize getting him on campus soon in the spring to make a strong impression because he is someone they seem to like.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods is a place where UK has recruited a lot in the past and the school is home to not one but two major Kentucky defensive back targets in Cameron Calhoun and Jermaine Mathews. Those two helped lead Winton Woods to a state championship.
Boston College, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky are Calhoun's early Power Five offers and he has a lot of G5 as well. At 6'2, 180 he has the kind of size you love. Calhoun has visited Kentucky three times and told me not too long ago, "It's a great program. They're phenomenal. They take care of their boys. They show love to their boys and they make you feel at home. At Kentucky they take that dog inside of you and make it come out. I just love that about them. And then the fans are crazy. I love the love from Kentucky fans. BBN is just amazing."
Calhoun's decision is going to largely be driven by his comfort level with the relationship he's got with the assistant coaches that are recruiting him. In that context his history with Kentucky and all those visits plus the Marrow angle makes this look interesting.
Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia have offered Matthews so he's got the same offers as Calhoun and a few more. Those offers have largely come in just the last couple of months so the word has only been out for a short while. His junior season had a lot to do with that. He's got some good film and put together a lot of big plays last year. Knack for being around the ball and good instincts plus the athleticism. Matthews did visit Kentucky for a game this year and that gives them a bit of leg up over some of the other schools that have offered but he hasn't visited.
Not calling UK an obvious favorite here but they're in good shape at this juncture.
The Winton Woods duo just mentioned is not the only pair of 2023 teammates from an Ohio school to hear from Kentucky. The Wildcats have also been pursuing a pair of wide receivers from Springfield, another very familiar location.
Anthony Brown is a four-star prospect ranked the No. 5 player in the state and he has been committed to Minnesota since right at the start of the last college and high school football season. However, there have been some rumblings that he could have an open mind and it wouldn't shock a lot of people if he ultimately reopened his recruitment. Not speaking to that with any kind of confidence but that's been some of the talk.
Minnesota had some significant turnover on the offensive coaching staff this offseason. They're bringing in a new OC who Brown already knew from West Virginia and I think he's going to want to feel like their passing game will be in good hands. In the meantime he just visited Penn State and will be visiting Michigan next weekend. So he definitely has an open mind and is still thinking but Kentucky will want to get in that game, too.
UK is definitely also involved with teammate Shawn Thigpen. Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse, and several G5s are schools that have offered the long, rangy and thin 6'4, 170-pound receiver. Thigpen had a really nice season with close to 800 yards but will require more S&C development to fill out his body. But he plays bigger than he is and is a vertical threat who can make competitive catches. There's a big catch radius not just because of his size but his receiving ability. Moe Douglass had a hand in jump starting Thigpen's recruitment and that relationship will remain for Kentucky even with Moses transferring out, I would imagine.
Kentucky has not yet offered 6'7, 300-pound Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier offensive lineman Rob Fogler but the Wildcats have some interest. He does have early offers from Indiana and several Group of Five schools. I know he has been willing to visit some schools that haven't offered yet so UK might want to get him on campus to see how that goes.
Breeon Ishmail of Hamilton is one of Kentucky's top defensive targets in the Buckeye State early in the 2023 class. He has offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, Pitt, Purdue, Tennessee, and West Virginia and is the No. 7 player in the state so no secret. I really like his tape. His teammate, Gabe Verdon, is a 6'2, 220-pound ILB with an offer from Purdue but I have not heard about Kentucky being interested.
Ishmail has been thought of alternately as an outside linebacker or a wide receiver. Every school loves that 6'5, 204-pound frame and it's got to fill out but I'm pretty sure UK sees him as an outside linebacker.
Kentucky's going to push hard here and the spring will tell us a lot, not only in terms of where he decides to visit but what schools will ultimately offer. Could he eventually be a guy that Michigan and Michigan State go hard after, or maybe even Ohio State? We shall see...
Kentucky and Cincinnati had emerged as the finalists for Washington, Ohio tight end Tanner LeMaster, who really looks the part at 6'6, 235. The best comp I've heard for LeMaster and agree with for sure on the surface is Justin Rigg. They look like very similar prospects in terms of build and how they move at similar stages in their development. Considering the number of snaps Rigg played for Kentucky that alone makes him intriguing. If I recall LeMaster would go on to say that he doesn't have any favorites. He's been around UK quite a bit. We'll see how the tight end board shakes out but LeMaster is somebody to watch.
Although 6'3, 205-pound three-star ATH Trevor Carter is verbally committed to Cincinnati and has been since November he's someone on the radar and don't be surprised if you hear about him more in the future. It's complicated with him being committed to UC and really not even sure about the interest level on his end at this point but I've heard that UK likes him.
He was a big recruiting win for the Bearcats. Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have also offered.
I spoke with Carter for the first time about 10 months ago right when he was coming into focus for the Cats.
Carter has been in contact with Kentucky for a long time.
"I'm from way southern Ohio right on the border with Kentucky, about five minutes away from Ashland, so the University of Kentucky is not that far from where I live," he said. "Just a couple of hours, so definitely not far. I know it's a great, great tradition with that football team and overall in terms of the school I know they have some great career choices. They also have some great facilities, so I'm definitely very interested."
Marrow will be assigned the task of trying to flip him or at least to keep the lines of communication open. Sumrall had made the case that the SEC was the right place for Carter to develop but it seems like watching UC's season which eventually culminated in the playoffs might have been tough to contend with in the moment. For UK to still be interested there may be some openness here.
Heard Nigel Glover's name mentioned recently for the first time. Has offers from Boston College, Illinois, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt. Rivals has Glover listed as a 6'3, 200 pound safety but he could develop into a linebacker as well. Could be a versatile hybrid kind of guy who can cover, blitz, and play the run.
He has been to West Virginia and Cincinnati lately with a desire to visit more schools. I wouldn't be surprised if Kentucky eventually moves on him, then we'd see his interest level.
Kentucky is very excited about Alex Afari. I think he's one of the most underappreciated (don't want to say underrated, he's four-stars, just in terms of the focus) players in UK's 2022 signing class and the Cats also seem to really like his younger teammate and fellow defensive back at Lakota West - Malik Hartford.
The three-star (5.7) prospect is No. 6 overall in Ohio, which means he's a very strong candidate for a fourth star eventually. He has offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.
Hartford has carried a GPA that is well over 4.0 and coaches everywhere fell in love with his early season film from 2021. He camped at Cincinnati and did attend a game at Kentucky this year. During the season Hartford told me that Cincinnati was his closest relationship.
** Note this isn't an exhaustive list, just an overview at this moment of the Ohio players I've heard the most about in reference to Kentucky.
