State of 2022 Recruiting

[Grumpyolddawg]

The new transfer rule cuts both ways. It becomes easier to get incoming transfers, but it also becomes inevitable that each SEC team will lose more every year by attrition as some players leave to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Every time an SEC program receives a commitment or takes a transfer, that development potentially displaces one or more players already on their roster.

It has now become more difficult than ever for coaches to foresee how many scholarships will be available the following year.

Since players primarily transfer to seek more playing time, and since more playing time can often be found in a less competitive conference, it is inevitable that SEC teams will lose more players than they gain as transfer rules become easier and quicker to satisfy. For that reason, I actually think most SEC teams may have to sign more hs players. I am not commenting about GA per se, since this is a UK recruiting thread. In UK's case, there have been more undergrad departures than incoming transfers. I suspect that will be true for almost every SEC program.

But the numbers wont allow schools to sign more unless that rule also changes. You are correct about most SEC teams likely losing a few players after every spring practice, same probably for teams that have good players that cant get into the 2 deep after the 3rd year.

I dont have a solution to the numbers under our current rules. This is just an example of my interpretation of the rules. UK had a bigtime player transfer in, if they had filled up on HS kids and were not able to take him this pushing him elsewhere. That's why I feel teams will leave room in their signing classes for players of his caliber.

 

[sieken]

But the numbers wont allow schools to sign more unless that rule also changes. You are correct about most SEC teams likely losing a few players after every spring practice, same probably for teams that have good players that cant get into the 2 deep after the 3rd year.

I dont have a solution to the numbers under our current rules. This is just an example of my interpretation of the rules. UK had a bigtime player transfer in, if they had filled up on HS kids and were not able to take him this pushing him elsewhere. That's why I feel teams will leave room in their signing classes for players of his caliber.

Agreed, and we did that this year. Stoops even told everyone that's what he was doing at his signing day presser.

 

[sieken]

I hate the rule personally. I mean, I get it...We live in an age of instant gratification, but I feel like there's something to be said about sticking it out and overcoming adversity.

How many have you said when a guy left your program, I understand it, he wasn't going to get much playing time here? Coaches don't really gut it out with a kid or stick with them, they recruit over them if they get the chance. I'm like you in that I hope it doesn't ruin the game, I only see the rule as giving players more options in what was an unfair process.

 

[-COUNTRY-CLUB-JOE-]

How many have you said when a guy left your program, I understand it, he wasn't going to get much playing time here? Coaches don't really gut it out with a kid or stick with them, they recruit over them if they get the chance. I'm like you in that I hope it doesn't ruin the game, I only see the rule as giving players more options in what was an unfair process.

Yeah, but it's not like kids weren't allowed to transfer, most just had to sit out a year, unless they were graduates. I'm not sure how that was really unfair. To me, it made a commitment more meaningful. Now, it's basically like free agency from one year to the next.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Agreed, and we did that this year. Stoops even told everyone that's what he was doing at his signing day presser.

UGA only signed 20 this class too, Kirby's other classes were maxed out, so we have room in this class for 4 and have 82 on scholarship. I think we will lose some after our spring game today. 3-4 3rd year guys been passed by Jan EE.

This will change how teams handle recruiting, not sure if it will be good or bad.

 

[vhcat70]

But the numbers wont allow schools to sign more unless that rule also changes. You are correct about most SEC teams likely losing a few players after every spring practice, same probably for teams that have good players that cant get into the 2 deep after the 3rd year.

I dont have a solution to the numbers under our current rules. This is just an example of my interpretation of the rules. UK had a bigtime player transfer in, if they had filled up on HS kids and were not able to take him this pushing him elsewhere. That's why I feel teams will leave room in their signing classes for players of his caliber.

Don't see why schools would need to sign more than 25. If too many leave, that's on the schools & their recruiting/playing time choices. Tuff & deal with it. Sure, they'd like to sign 50. But in the interest of more even competition, 25 is plenty.

 

[sieken]

Yeah, but it's not like kids weren't allowed to transfer, most just had to sit out a year, unless they were graduates. I'm not sure how that was really unfair. To me, it made a commitment more meaningful. Now, it's basically like free agency from one year to the next.

That's all they did was remove the year, and it's a one time transfer rule. Coaches who are under contract freely move, not sure why we want to hold the kids, who actually provide the entertainment, to a different standard. I do worry about it, just think it is the right thing to do for the kids.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Don't see why schools would need to sign more than 25. If too many leave, that's on the schools & their recruiting/playing time choices. Tuff & deal with it. Sure, they'd like to sign 50. But in the interest of more even competition, 25 is plenty.

Not what I am saying. I am saying if a school signs 25 HS kids during the signing periods, unless I misunderstand the rules they can't add any transfers. According to the Rivals page, UK signed 18 in the 21 class, which would allow them to take 7 transfers if it keeps them under 85. I have no idea about that number. But if they had taken 25, there wouldn't have been room to take any transfers, unless I don't understand the rules which is entirely possible.

I think 25 is plenty to bring in each year, signees and transfers. But if a team gets caught tampering, they better make an example out of them or you will have to recruit you best players 365 days a year.

 

[UKfan215]

We just landed a borderline 5 star offensive tackle today that everyone had offered to join the weekend commitments of two other highly regarded 4 star Tennessee prospects. When you add those 3 fellas to the already impressive list of early commits, I'd say the state of our 2022 recruiting is mighty damn fine! Whoooo hoooooooo! I'm so excited I'm ready to break something, even if it is some of my own bones.

 

[germuk]

Anybody have that picture of Goodwin next to Burton? Reminds me of how Yao was the only guy to make Shaq look small in pictures

 

[Rembrandt90]

As anticipated and discussed previously, heavily recruited OT prospect Kiyaunta Goodwin has committed to UK within the last hour. Goodwin is being recruited by Vince Marrow and Eric Wolford. Coach Marrow is his primary recruiter. Looks like this will be a special OL class for Coach Wolford.

Goodwin holds scholarship offers from 14 SEC football programs as well as OH St, OK, and Clemson. Basically, every significant college football program wants to sign him.

It has been a great weekend for Coach Stoops, and we can expect more UK commitments over the next 6-8 weeks including Alex Afari.

UK's current 2022 recruiting class-

Grant Bingham, OL, Paintsville, KY
Jeremiah Caldwell, ATH, Belleville, MI
Kiyaunta Goodwin, OL, Charlestown, IN
Treyveon Longmire, DB, Corbin, KY
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY
Andre Stewart, DB, Snellville, GA
Destin Wade, QB, Spring Hill, TN
Keaton Wade, LB, Spring Hill, TN

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Soak it in ... UK ranked 10th in recruiting and above Bama. Enjoy it while it lasts!

 

[Bereacat420]

Soak it in ... UK ranked 10th in recruiting and above Bama. Enjoy it while it lasts!

It's funny UK is still 21 on 247. I know Jackson isn't rated, but UGA is #1 and they moved ahead with the commitment of a 3 star aussie punter. Their punter is ranked as the #1 punter in their rankings, also only punter ranked.

 

[-COUNTRY-CLUB-JOE-]

It's funny UK is still 21 on 247. I know Jackson isn't rated, but UGA is #1 and they moved ahead with the commitment of a 3 star aussie punter. Their punter is ranked as the #1 punter in their rankings, also only punter ranked.

The total score has not been updated to include Goodwin. He's listed, but you have 8 commits and four 4-stars, not seven commits and three 4-stars. Should be 15th.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Afari knows where he is going, will he announce this week?

 

[Rock_Cat78]

Afari knows where he is going, will he announce this week?

May 7th

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

May 7th

Thanks Rock.

 

[-COUNTRY-CLUB-JOE-]

It's funny UK is still 21 on 247. I know Jackson isn't rated, but UGA is #1 and they moved ahead with the commitment of a 3 star aussie punter. Their punter is ranked as the #1 punter in their rankings, also only punter ranked.

Updated to 15th.

 

[TuckyFB]

Popeye Williams just got a CB from Wiltfong to U6

I would hate for such a awesome name to be in that ugly red and white.

 

[Bereacat420]

The total score has not been updated to include Goodwin. He's listed, but you have 8 commits and four 4-stars, not seven commits and three 4-stars. Should be 15th.

Well my main point was Jackson, according to the kicking sites the #1 P/K in the class. Those guys most likely haven't seen the Aussie punter UGA has committed. Yet 247 has him at a 3 star and the #1 punter, though they haven't ranked Jackson. If Jackson had the rating of the other punter it would change that. I will add it is April they sign in Dec so team ranking don't mean anything. Especially when most prospects haven't committed and alot will flip b4 signing day.

 

[-COUNTRY-CLUB-JOE-]

Well my main point was Jackson, according to the kicking sites the #1 P/K in the class. Those guys most likely haven't seen the Aussie punter UGA has committed. Yet 247 has him at a 3 star and the #1 punter, though they haven't ranked Jackson. If Jackson had the rating of the other punter it would change that. I will add it is April they sign in Dec so team ranking don't mean anything. Especially when most prospects haven't committed and alot will flip b4 signing day.

Yeah, it would add another 7.8 points to your team score, and bump you up to the top 10. But like you said, it's early. I'm sure Jackson will be ranked.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Today UK has received a commitment from TE Josh Kattus of Archbishop Moeller hs in Cincinnati. This is not unexpected.

Kattus, who is being recruited by Coach Marrow, holds offers from two SEC programs and four B10 programs.

UK’s current 2022 recruiting class-

Grant Bingham, OL, Paintsville, KY
Jeremiah Caldwell, ATH, Belleville, MI
Kiyaunta Goodwin, OL, Charlestown, IN
Josh Kattus, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Treyveon Longmire, DB, Corbin, KY
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY
Andre Stewart, DB, Snellville, GA
Destin Wade, QB, Spring Hill, TN
Keaton Wade, LB, Spring Hill, TN

 

[yoshukai]

Today UK has received a commitment from TE Josh Kattus of Archbishop Moeller hs in Cincinnati. This is not unexpected.

Kattus, who is being recruited by Coach Marrow, holds offers from two SEC programs and four B10 programs.

UK’s current 2022 recruiting class-

Grant Bingham, OL, Paintsville, KY
Jeremiah Caldwell, ATH, Belleville, MI
Kiyaunta Goodwin, OL, Charlestown, IN
Josh Kattus, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Treyveon Longmire, DB, Corbin, KY
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY
Andre Stewart, DB, Snellville, GA
Destin Wade, QB, Spring Hill, TN
Keaton Wade, LB, Spring Hill, TN

Rembrandt90 , Do you know anything about a Reece Jesse kid from Hopkinsville ? Over on the UL board they are claiming he had a scholarship offer from UK but turned us down to take a PWO at Louisville. I find that hard to believe.

 

[Deeeefense]

Rembrandt90 , Do you know anything about a Reece Jesse kid from Hopkinsville ? Over on the UL board they are claiming he had a scholarship offer from UK but turned us down to take a PWO at Louisville. I find that hard to believe.

That must be true, I hear that none of our commits would have been "takes" for UofL. They have higher standards over there that we do. 😁

 

[Rock_Cat78]

Rembrandt90 , Do you know anything about a Reece Jesse kid from Hopkinsville ? Over on the UL board they are claiming he had a scholarship offer from UK but turned us down to take a PWO at Louisville. I find that hard to believe.

Kentucky offered him early on but hadn't recruited him in a long, long time. Sometimes when kid's wait too long, they miss out on their scholarship opportunities.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Rembrandt90 , Do you know anything about a Reece Jesse kid from Hopkinsville ? Over on the UL board they are claiming he had a scholarship offer from UK but turned us down to take a PWO at Louisville. I find that hard to believe.

Sure. I can confidently say this much, based on information that has been publicly reported by multiple services. Reece Jesse is one of at least nine instate prospects from KY, and one of more than 65 WR prospects across the east and the south, who were offered UK football scholarships in the 2021 class. Whether Jesse’s UK offer was ever actually committable has never been discussed publicly as far as I know, but looking between the lines at the construction and evolution of UK’s 2021 WR class tells me that Jesse probably never had a chance to join UK’s class. I doubt Jesse turned down a committable UK offer, but we will never know.

For one thing, Jesse apparently did not push his decision process as hard as many other football prospects did. I never saw a public declaration of a short list of schools or a lean attributed to Jesse. So Jesse missed his window of opportunity by moving slowly on his recruitment. I have heard that academics were involved, but I don’t know if there was anything to that. There just wasn’t much information on Jesse.

UK’s coaches filled four scholarships with high upside WRs Dekel Crowdus, Chauncey Magwood, Armand Scott, and Christian Lewis, all of whom were widely considered to be much better college prospects than Jesse. Eventually, Scott decommitted and his scholarship was given to Devonte Ross, who decommitted from Marshall to join UK’s 2021 class at the very end. Evaluations of Ross differ, but UK’s coaches believe they signed another high upside prospect who was underscouted by other SEC teams. In any case, UK signed one of Stoops’ strongest WR classes.

 

[yoshukai]

Sure. I can confidently say this much, based on information that has been publicly reported by multiple services. Reece Jesse is one of at least nine instate prospects from KY, and one of more than 65 WR prospects across the east and the south, who were offered UK football scholarships in the 2021 class. Whether Jesse’s UK offer was ever actually committable has never been discussed publicly as far as I know, but looking between the lines at the construction and evolution of UK’s 2021 WR class tells me that Jesse probably never had a chance to join UK’s class. I doubt Jesse turned down a committable UK offer, but we will never know.

For one thing, Jesse apparently did not push his decision process as hard as many other football prospects did. I never saw a public declaration of a short list of schools or a lean attributed to Jesse. So Jesse missed his window of opportunity by moving slowly on his recruitment. I have heard that academics were involved, but I don’t know if there was anything to that. There just wasn’t much information on Jesse.

UK’s coaches filled four scholarships with high upside WRs Dekel Crowdus, Chauncey Magwood, Armand Scott, and Christian Lewis, all of whom were widely considered to be much better college prospects than Jesse. Eventually, Scott decommitted and his scholarship was given to Devonte Ross, who decommitted from Marshall to join UK’s 2021 class at the very end. Evaluations of Ross differ, but UK’s coaches believe they signed another high upside prospect who was underscouted by other SEC teams. In any case, UK signed one of Stoops’ strongest WR classes.

Thanks for responding.

 

[Rembrandt90]

We have speculated before on this thread about how many scholarships will be given in UK's 2022 recruiting class. Every time an underclassman leaves our football program, the potential size of the class increases.

Earlier, many of us thought this might not turn out to be a full class, because it didn't look like 25 scholarships would be available under the NCAA's 85 scholarship roster limit. Since then, there has been a fair amount of roster attrition as underclassmen have chosen to leave.

So, now, let's review current numbers. Keep in mind that the NCAA did not dock any players a year of eligibility for playing in 2020 under their COVID rule. The following information is taken from UK's official website. By my current count, our 2021 football roster will include-

88 total scholarship players
6 seniors who were seniors in 2020
12 seniors who were juniors in 2020
10 freshmen arriving this summer
2 transfers arriving this summer

The six returning seniors are Josh Ali, Luke Fortner, Zack Johnson, Quandre Mosely, Justin Rigg, and Davonte Robinson.

Eight true freshmen are attending UK's spring semester and have played in spring practice. The ten other true freshmen arriving this summer are Dekel Crowdus, Jordan Dingle, Jamarius Dinkins, Adrian Huey, Christian Lewis, Paul Rodriguez, Devonte Ross, Kahlil Saunders, Martez Thrower, and Trevin Wallace. They are included in the 88 counted players for 2021.

Three transfers are attending UK's spring semester and have played in spring practice. The two transfers arriving this summer will be Will Levis and TreVon Morgan. They are included in the 88 counted players for 2021.

There are three primary problems this year with predicting the size of our next recruiting class. We don't know how many more underclassmen will leave the program between now and December. We don't know how many of our 2020 juniors will exercise their right under the NCAA's 2020 COVID rule to create an extra year of eligibility for themselves in 2022. We don't know how many more transfers, if any, Mark Stoops will accept from other schools between now and next January.

So, as things currently stand, the smallest our 2022 class would be (with a full 2022 roster) is three new players. That would be the case if every 2020 junior returns in 2022, and if there is no additional underclassmen leave the program. But both are independently unlikely. In fact, since Mark Stoops has already accepted nine public commitments for his 2022 class, we can confidently say there will be more new freshmen in 2022 than nine.

OTOH, given current numbers, the largest the 2022 class can be is 15. That would involve all twelve 2020 juniors leaving after the 2021 season, but with no more underclass attrition or incoming transfers.

So, for every new instance of underclass attrition, the potential size of our 2022 class will increase correspondingly. In order to get to a full 25 player class, we would need all twelve 2020 juniors to leave following the 2021 season, plus at least ten more instances of underclass attrition before the spring, 2022, semester. For every 2020 junior who utilizes the NCAA's COVID rule to create an extra year of eligibility in 2022, we would need another instance of underclass attrition to get to a 25 player 2022 class. And for every additional incoming transfer, we would need another instance of underclass attrition to get to 25.

Every offseason is different, but it is not out of the question that ten more underclassmen could leave before the end of 2021. I doubt it, but it has happened before under Stoops. There will certainly be some more attrition, and Stoops is already factoring future attrition into his strategy for his 2022 recruiting class.

I think it is still possible that Coach Stoops might take another transfer or two besides Levis and Morgan this summer. Don't ask me who they might be, because I don't know. But Stoops has to be looking at his WR, LB, and CB rosters as possible areas for improvement through more quality depth. Losing D'Eryk Jackson, Allen Dailey, Clevan Thomas, and the three outgoing CB transfers was not necessarily expected, and could take a toll next fall.

BTW, two players changed positions this month. Torrance Davis moved from LB to RB. Quandre Mosely moved from S to CB.

To discuss in broad strokes, let's say it is a 25 player class. Could it look like this?

Bingham, Goodwin, + 3 more OLs
D Wade (only QB)
1 RB
4 WRs
Kattus (only TE)
Smith (only K)
3 DLs
K Wade + 3 more LBs
Caldwell, Longmire, Stewart, + 2 more DBs

 

[Rock_Cat78]

I fully expect a full class. They are expected to take six DB's, five OL and a Kicker, so that is basically half a class right there. I see the numbers as:

QB - 1 (Wade)
RB - 1
WR - 2/3
TE - 2 (Kattus)
OL - 5 (Bingham, Goodwin)
DL - 3
LB - 3/4 (Wade)
DB - 6 (Caldwell, Longmire, Stewart)
K - 1 (Smith)

 

[Rock_Cat78]

I'll add a caveat here with regards to the transfer portal. I had assumed that from now on, the most Kentucky would sign in a given year would be 21-22 to leave a few spots open for guys entering the portal. But, I'm not entirely sure how that will work with the numbers that I posted above for prep signees. Regardless of the combination, I expect Kentucky to have 25 new initial counters for 2022.

 

[TuckyFB]

Kentucky got a PWO commitment today from Connor Long

 

[The-Hack]

OTOH, given current numbers, the largest the 2022 class can be is 15.

An in-depth analysis!

Am I remembering incorrectly that there will be a one-year waiver of the 85 scholly limit?

Perhaps my mind has invented a purely sensible and pragmatic means of allowing schools to have “Covid Sixth Year Players,” and still recruit a decent sized class.

“Sensible and pragmatic” might not have crossed the NCAA’s mind in this instance, as it often does not.

 

[satcheluk]

Yeah, but it's not like kids weren't allowed to transfer, most just had to sit out a year, unless they were graduates. I'm not sure how that was really unfair. To me, it made a commitment more meaningful. Now, it's basically like free agency from one year to the next.

Which is how it should be unless they start paying them.

 

[The-Hack]

We were valuing player commitment in a sport where coaches and administrators could jump like a flea on a hot rock.

All need to remember this when comparing it to free agency: it is a ONE TIME transfer rule.

A player such as Wan’ Dale or TTW can transfer once w/o sitting out, unlike the Petrino’s of the world who can sh!t on three programs in four seasons.

 

[sieken]

An in-depth analysis!

Am I remembering incorrectly that there will be a one-year waiver of the 85 scholly limit?

Perhaps my mind has invented a purely sensible and pragmatic means of allowing schools to have “Covid Sixth Year Players,” and still recruit a decent sized class.

“Sensible and pragmatic” might not have crossed the NCAA’s mind in this instance, as it often does not.

So far, I think the exemption to not count against the 85 roster limit, only applies this year. Every player can get a Covid year but they will start counting against the roster limit starting next year.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

So far, I think the exemption to not count against the 85 roster limit, only applies this year. Every player can get a Covid year but they will start counting against the roster limit starting next year.

I didn't think it was so much a waiver as the Sr who decided to return didn't count toward the 85.

 

[sieken]

I didn't think it was so much a waiver as the Sr who decided to return didn't count toward the 85.

Yeah, that was my term, not theirs. Just making the point that after this year, the rosters will need to be back to 85 or below.

 

[Deeeefense]

My understanding is anyone on the 2020 rosters that takes the extra year will allow the 85 limit to be stretched to accommodate that player's extra year, but if the player transfers he can still get the extra year but the roster will NOT be stretch to allow for it.

 

[sieken]

 

[gojvc]

Only 10 teams above us with a better average star ranking. I'm sure less than that without Berry in the mix.

We’re going to have to step it up. U6 just beat out Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Kansas, and Middle Tennessee State for a QB.