WR Kalil Branham
Has OV'ed to Kentucky. Heard rumblings he might OV to Indiana after that but very high confidence he ends up with Kentucky. No single program is currently a threat. He's sold on UK and after decommitting from Michigan had a very level-headed approach to what he wanted.
WR Izayah Cummings
Seemed open with interest in UK, UofL, Purdue and several others but over the last couple of weeks the Kentucky chatter has heated up and I'm hearing it as are others. Not the confidence level of Branham, but UK is the clear favorite. Asked Lackford about Purdue because of their success recruiting KY WRs and he didn't think it was a concern.
WR Jordan Watkins
Little tougher to call than the previous two WRs mentioned. Will OV to Kentucky on June 21st. Camped at Louisville after thinking he wouldn't. He visited many schools (NW, WVU, UK, UofL, etc) in the spring. Cincinnati and Tennessee are also involved. My pick is Kentucky with a reasonable degree of confidence.
WR Michael Drennen
UK, Arizona State, Tennessee, Ohio State are some of the top schools in Drennen's recruitment. He has not set an OV to Kentucky. Cats are selling him on being a WR as are some others, with variations. Likes ASU's offensive case. Tennessee has been involved for a while just not as long as Kentucky. Ohio State has always been a factor here but remains to be seen where exactly he rates on their board. No question he is at the top of UK's WR board with these others. No prediction at this time.
OL Deondre Buford
Same situation as Kalil Branham. Has a date, in October, for a decision announcement but high confidence he ends up with the Cats and tough to see that changing barring a huge entry from a recruiting power I don't foresee. He finishes the tackle class.
OL Joshua Jones
Like Romello Height and Dallas Walker, is finishing up his OV in Lexington today. According to Chad Simmons, Kentucky may have the inside track and I trust him so that would be my prediction as well. Tennessee has been involved with Jones for a long time but UK is pushing harder, per Simmons. We'll see if they wrap him up in the very near future.
OL Richie Leonard
Final seven is GT, UK, UT, UF, FSU, Miami and UCF. Has taken officials to UK and GT with Tennessee up next before a decision. Outlined situation in yesterday's notes. Was picking UK but will be swapping to UF and not writing off FSU either. Not out of play for the Cats, just lower confidence than before although he will not OV the in-states.
OL Chris Mayo
West Virginia made a strong impression on him recently. UK got a very early official and has stayed in contact but not a lot of chatter about him and the Cats lately. Probably ends up elsewhere but still on the board. Not as plugged in with UK's other commits as some other top targets.
DL Tre'vonn Rybka
Heard through Woody Wommack that he "loves" Kentucky and he confirmed he enjoyed his trip when I caught up with him this week. Doesn't say a whole lot. Will tentatively call Kentucky a very short list school but not sure if they lead. Tennessee got him to work out recently and pushed for him to commit, but he didn't. He will take an OV to Cincinnati and may visit UT again this month. Likely to OV to Oregon and others like LSU and Oklahoma are in play. Interestingly, last month Rybka told me UK was not pushing for him to OV but it was a short conversation that's tough to interpret.
DL Octavious Oxendine
Kentucky got him on campus in recent days and he has a rapport with Vince Marrow, clearly. UK does have two elite DT's on board but are still aggressively recruiting Oxendine. Tennessee has always had his attention in a significant way. Purdue is up there as well. Not sure where he is leaning but based on longevity of involvement and intensity of interest UK is probably in decent shape. Has not taken his OV to UK or scheduled it.
DL Dallas Walker
Currently wrapping up his OV to Kentucky. Auburn was the perceived favorite but Texas A&M may have jumped out into the lead after his OV to College Station. Interested in seeing if UK gets a similar post-visit bump when I talk to him probably today. Three-horse race for now.
LB Romello Height
Also finishing up his OV to Kentucky today. UK, GT and UF are the three main schools in play here. GT was the lead school for a long time but it's very close right now. Was thinking July decision, now leaning September so room for developments.
LB Jaheim Thomas
Thomas hasn't narrowed it down too much. Coming off an OV to Cincinnati but hard to see the Bearcats getting him based on history and competition. Thomas interestingly declined to include Ohio State in his top seven recently, even though the Buckeyes wanted him to camp. Source recently told Cats Illustrated that UK, MSU and UT are probably the top three schools. For some reason still would not totally write off OSU. But would pick UK right now.
DB Vito Tisdale
As with Cummings, only for longer, Tisdale has been trending towards Kentucky. Oklahoma and Tennessee were factors for a while but that has not been the story lately. Probably about as confident in saying Tisdale-UK as saying Watkins-UK. Not Branham/Buford, not quite Cummings, but he will OV later in the process and seems like a fairly safe bet.
DB Rickey Hyatt
Source not long ago said UK, Michigan State or Penn State and North Carolina are probably at the top of his list. UK has made him a priority for a very long time and he knows some of the Cats' commitments. Currently has a top eight. Ohio State is hanging around but has Makari Paige ahead on their board. Slightly less confident in calling Hyatt to UK than calling Jaheim Thomas to UK so on the low end of the confidence spectrum but sources seem to think they have a good shot.
DB Marco Domio
LSU, Kentucky and Auburn are the main players for now with Ed Orgeron's program leading the pack. OV to Kentucky was pushed back to June 21st and as long as he takes that and doesn't go public for LSU the Cats can make up some ground.
DB Joel Williams
Decommitted from Florida and is still considering the Gators but also Kentucky and several others. Too early to say where he might be leaning. Would not project him to Kentucky right now but will OV later this month and should know more then.
DB Brian George
Vince Marrow made a trip down to see George the JUCO not long ago but the best we can say is Kentucky is one of many schools involved. Would not be surprised if UK gets an OV at some point.
DB Enzo Jennings
Have long said it's probably Kentucky and Penn State, the latter Jennings has been to more than probably any other school. Fresh off an OV to Kentucky, he OV's to Pitt this coming weekend and then Penn State.
DB Makari Paige
Definitely likes Ohio State and the Buckeyes like him but hear UK may have made up some ground overall in the big picture with a good OV.
UK is done at the following positions, barring decommitments:
Quarterback
Running Back
Tight End
Inside Linebacker
Leaving roughly this number of targeted spots at other positions:
Wide Receiver: 4
OT: 1 (Buford - but could take an OT/OG)
OG: 2
DE: 2
DT: 1-2
OLB: 2
CB: 2
S: 2
Rough estimates only. Some flexibility/best available.
Has OV'ed to Kentucky. Heard rumblings he might OV to Indiana after that but very high confidence he ends up with Kentucky. No single program is currently a threat. He's sold on UK and after decommitting from Michigan had a very level-headed approach to what he wanted.
WR Izayah Cummings
Seemed open with interest in UK, UofL, Purdue and several others but over the last couple of weeks the Kentucky chatter has heated up and I'm hearing it as are others. Not the confidence level of Branham, but UK is the clear favorite. Asked Lackford about Purdue because of their success recruiting KY WRs and he didn't think it was a concern.
WR Jordan Watkins
Little tougher to call than the previous two WRs mentioned. Will OV to Kentucky on June 21st. Camped at Louisville after thinking he wouldn't. He visited many schools (NW, WVU, UK, UofL, etc) in the spring. Cincinnati and Tennessee are also involved. My pick is Kentucky with a reasonable degree of confidence.
WR Michael Drennen
UK, Arizona State, Tennessee, Ohio State are some of the top schools in Drennen's recruitment. He has not set an OV to Kentucky. Cats are selling him on being a WR as are some others, with variations. Likes ASU's offensive case. Tennessee has been involved for a while just not as long as Kentucky. Ohio State has always been a factor here but remains to be seen where exactly he rates on their board. No question he is at the top of UK's WR board with these others. No prediction at this time.
OL Deondre Buford
Same situation as Kalil Branham. Has a date, in October, for a decision announcement but high confidence he ends up with the Cats and tough to see that changing barring a huge entry from a recruiting power I don't foresee. He finishes the tackle class.
OL Joshua Jones
Like Romello Height and Dallas Walker, is finishing up his OV in Lexington today. According to Chad Simmons, Kentucky may have the inside track and I trust him so that would be my prediction as well. Tennessee has been involved with Jones for a long time but UK is pushing harder, per Simmons. We'll see if they wrap him up in the very near future.
OL Richie Leonard
Final seven is GT, UK, UT, UF, FSU, Miami and UCF. Has taken officials to UK and GT with Tennessee up next before a decision. Outlined situation in yesterday's notes. Was picking UK but will be swapping to UF and not writing off FSU either. Not out of play for the Cats, just lower confidence than before although he will not OV the in-states.
OL Chris Mayo
West Virginia made a strong impression on him recently. UK got a very early official and has stayed in contact but not a lot of chatter about him and the Cats lately. Probably ends up elsewhere but still on the board. Not as plugged in with UK's other commits as some other top targets.
DL Tre'vonn Rybka
Heard through Woody Wommack that he "loves" Kentucky and he confirmed he enjoyed his trip when I caught up with him this week. Doesn't say a whole lot. Will tentatively call Kentucky a very short list school but not sure if they lead. Tennessee got him to work out recently and pushed for him to commit, but he didn't. He will take an OV to Cincinnati and may visit UT again this month. Likely to OV to Oregon and others like LSU and Oklahoma are in play. Interestingly, last month Rybka told me UK was not pushing for him to OV but it was a short conversation that's tough to interpret.
DL Octavious Oxendine
Kentucky got him on campus in recent days and he has a rapport with Vince Marrow, clearly. UK does have two elite DT's on board but are still aggressively recruiting Oxendine. Tennessee has always had his attention in a significant way. Purdue is up there as well. Not sure where he is leaning but based on longevity of involvement and intensity of interest UK is probably in decent shape. Has not taken his OV to UK or scheduled it.
DL Dallas Walker
Currently wrapping up his OV to Kentucky. Auburn was the perceived favorite but Texas A&M may have jumped out into the lead after his OV to College Station. Interested in seeing if UK gets a similar post-visit bump when I talk to him probably today. Three-horse race for now.
LB Romello Height
Also finishing up his OV to Kentucky today. UK, GT and UF are the three main schools in play here. GT was the lead school for a long time but it's very close right now. Was thinking July decision, now leaning September so room for developments.
LB Jaheim Thomas
Thomas hasn't narrowed it down too much. Coming off an OV to Cincinnati but hard to see the Bearcats getting him based on history and competition. Thomas interestingly declined to include Ohio State in his top seven recently, even though the Buckeyes wanted him to camp. Source recently told Cats Illustrated that UK, MSU and UT are probably the top three schools. For some reason still would not totally write off OSU. But would pick UK right now.
DB Vito Tisdale
As with Cummings, only for longer, Tisdale has been trending towards Kentucky. Oklahoma and Tennessee were factors for a while but that has not been the story lately. Probably about as confident in saying Tisdale-UK as saying Watkins-UK. Not Branham/Buford, not quite Cummings, but he will OV later in the process and seems like a fairly safe bet.
DB Rickey Hyatt
Source not long ago said UK, Michigan State or Penn State and North Carolina are probably at the top of his list. UK has made him a priority for a very long time and he knows some of the Cats' commitments. Currently has a top eight. Ohio State is hanging around but has Makari Paige ahead on their board. Slightly less confident in calling Hyatt to UK than calling Jaheim Thomas to UK so on the low end of the confidence spectrum but sources seem to think they have a good shot.
DB Marco Domio
LSU, Kentucky and Auburn are the main players for now with Ed Orgeron's program leading the pack. OV to Kentucky was pushed back to June 21st and as long as he takes that and doesn't go public for LSU the Cats can make up some ground.
DB Joel Williams
Decommitted from Florida and is still considering the Gators but also Kentucky and several others. Too early to say where he might be leaning. Would not project him to Kentucky right now but will OV later this month and should know more then.
DB Brian George
Vince Marrow made a trip down to see George the JUCO not long ago but the best we can say is Kentucky is one of many schools involved. Would not be surprised if UK gets an OV at some point.
DB Enzo Jennings
Have long said it's probably Kentucky and Penn State, the latter Jennings has been to more than probably any other school. Fresh off an OV to Kentucky, he OV's to Pitt this coming weekend and then Penn State.
DB Makari Paige
Definitely likes Ohio State and the Buckeyes like him but hear UK may have made up some ground overall in the big picture with a good OV.
UK is done at the following positions, barring decommitments:
Quarterback
Running Back
Tight End
Inside Linebacker
Leaving roughly this number of targeted spots at other positions:
Wide Receiver: 4
OT: 1 (Buford - but could take an OT/OG)
OG: 2
DE: 2
DT: 1-2
OLB: 2
CB: 2
S: 2
Rough estimates only. Some flexibility/best available.
