There has been some increase in recent buzz about five uncommitted prospects who appear to be primary UK recruiting targets. Let's discuss.
Damon Payne, DL, Belleville, MI. Two out of the last three years, Steve Clinkscale has successfully recruited the #1 football prospect in the state of MI. This year, Payne is Coach Clinkscale's top target. All credible sources consider Payne one of the top defensive linemen in the entire national class. Payne visited UK last September, and has had UK near the top of his list ever since. He is a friend of incoming UK freshman Justin Rogers. Early on, the buzz was that it would be a UK-OH St battle. But OH St appears to have targeted their DL scholarships toward more signable prospects, and the battle for Payne now seems to be coming down to UK and Bama. A year ago, UK beat out Bama and just about every other major program for Rogers. It might happen again, but don't expect this competition to get settled in the next several weeks.
Rayshsun Benny, OL/DL, Oak Park, MI. Benny is a friend and former teammate of current UK NT Marquan McCall. Like Payne, Benny is being recruited by Coach Clinkscale. He is the #6 overall prospect in the state of MI. Most schools are recruiting Benny as an OT, and he is considered one of the better uncommitted OT prospects in the midwest. But Coach Clinkscale is reportedly offering Benny his choice of OL or DL. Benny's finalist list appears to be MI, IA, and UK. The IA football program is currently navigating through a scandal. MI is the home state school, but I still like UK's chances for a fall commitment from Benny. As with Payne, this one will probably not get settled in the next several weeks.
Jager Burton, OL, Lexington, KY. After another upgrade, Burton is now considered one of the top 100 prospects in the national class. As a Lexingtonian, Burton is thought of as a likely UK signee by many UK fans. But Burton's offer sheet reads like the national top 20 poll. This is coming down to a four-way battle involving Clemson, Bama, OH St, and UK. Recent buzz suggests Burton remains wide open and won't announce before August. UK Recruiting Coordinator Vince Marrow has made Burton's recruitment his #1 personal mission for this class, and John Schlarman has been in Burton's ear whenever the NCAA has allowed coach-to-prospect communications. This will be a tough decision for Burton. It is getting more complicated as Bama and Clemson have stepped up their level of interest. Jedrick Wills' recent success as a first-round NFL draft choice coming out of Bama and Walker Parks' decision to sign with Clemson won't make this process any simpler for Burton. But Burton has a mind of his own. COVID-related interruptions in recruiting activity have given Burton an opportunity to slow down his decision process a little bit, and it will be interesting to see how he assesses his opportunities this summer.
Patrick Tukes, DL, McRae, GA. The #60 overall hs football prospect in the state of GA has not gotten much attention from our fans. While he has not yet received an offer from Kirby Smart, he does hold at least five SEC offers including TN and Ole Miss. Tukes has the body and athletic tools of an SEC defensive lineman. Unless GA offers this summer, his recruitment may come down to UK and SC. Tukes is being recruited by Jon Sumrall.
Martez Thrower, LB, Rochelle, GA. The #59 overall prospect in the state of GA might become UK's next 2021 verbal commitment. Thrower has played on the defensive edge at Wilcox Co. hs. But he would become a Will or Mike LB in UK's 3-4 system. Thrower already holds at least four SEC offers and is also getting interest from several B10 programs. In the last week, there has been a good deal of circumstantial evidence that Thrower may be about to give UK a verbal commitment. He is being recruited by Jon Sumrall.
