State of 2022 Recruiting

[Rembrandt90]

Thank you, @Rembrandt90

The loss of Sumrall has me a little down. Didn't like the news about Longmire either. Hopefully there's a bunch of good news in the next few weeks to make me feel better.

Any word on a great LB coach/recruiter to replace Coach Sumrall?

To my knowledge, there is no current public information that would suggest the name of a replacement for Sumrall. It's still a little early. There has already been some speculation by fans, but it is not based on anything other than preferences.

However, the FL, LSU, OK, TCU, MD, VA, WA, and SCal coaching staffs just fell apart because those head coaches left or were fired. The same might be about to happen at Miami and OR. I would include ND, but I suspect that staff will mainly hold together. But a lot of position coaches are suddenly out of work and looking for new jobs. So Stoops has a fairly long list of potential candidates to vet. I think Stoops will probably cover the bowl practices with his current remaining staff and then hire someone in January or February to get ready for spring practice.

Coach Sumrall has been a great recruiter and a very productive inside linebacker coach. He has excelled in player development. His loss means Stoops' staff doesn't have a recruiting connection anymore in the states of AL and MS. Sumrall also had some recruiting successes in GA, which has increasingly become a more important UK recruiting territory. Sumrall can be replaced with an experienced LB coach or with a great recruiter, but it will be tough to get both out of one guy. Plus, Sumrall is a former UK player and a custodian of our football culture. So this hire will be interesting.

It is also possible that Stoops might juggle his staff a little. He could use some SEC experience on his defensive secondary staff, and I think there could be a lot to gain by going out and hiring an experienced special teams coordinator. No knock on Coach Settle, who is as good as they come as a RB coach. But special teams are 1/3 of the game, and our special teams could use a fresh, aggressive approach.

 

[yoshukai]

Longmire was NOT a significant loss to Kentucky's class. He was encouraged to look elsewhere.

That’s my understanding also . Talked to some Corbin people last night at the Boyle game . No way he should be considered a “ significant loss” .

 

[Rembrandt90]

Amazing overview!!!

1. UK has to upgrade the SAM and Jack LBer spots. I think Bogle is an easy spot and I think we go for Craig Young if Jordan Watson were to leave.

Thanks for your kind words. There has been a lot of scuttlebutt that Jordan Wright will return to UK for a supersenior season. That would make sense since Wright missed most of 2021 with an injury. JJ Weaver is coming into his prime. KD McDaniel has some experience now and looks like an SEC player. Keaton Wade and Tyreese Fearbry are very promising OLB recruits.

I agree that Bogle would be a Jack or Sam LB in Stoops' defense. He played some DE at FL, but he isn't thick and physical enough to play DE in our 3-4. At this moment in time, it looks like Bogle might end up at UK. There are some other edge defenders in the transfer portal, but I don't know if UK has contacted them.

Jordan Watson left UK in 2014.

2. I'd love to walk out of this class with 2 more DL...UK is all in Deone Walker...is it reasoanble to think we can get Quentel Jones as well?
3. We all see the need for CB specifically...i thought we'd lose Nicholson to Ole Miss but we're still holding on to him. Does he look like a stick with UK? And is Davison Igbinosun a viable pick for uK?

Nicholson needs to enroll somewhere for the spring semester. If he is going to decommit, we will know soon. So far, UK appears to be hanging onto him. But Nicholson is Chris Collins' first SEC recruit, so sort of a litmus test in that way. UK certainly needs to sign him, and I think Stoops is looking for DBs in the transfer portal too.

Davison Igbinosun and Quentel Jones are scheduled to visit UK this week. Getting an uncommitted player's final visit is almost always a recruiting advantage. So, yes, Stoops could get one or both.

Deone Walker has as impressive offer sheet. He is a huge prospect who can help us. Getting him away from Jim Harbaugh won't be a piece of cake, but there are some indications that UK might be able to sign Walker. I would sure like to see that happen because he is one of the best uncommitted players left on UK's board.

 

[Rembrandt90]

That’s my understanding also . Talked to some Corbin people last night at the Boyle game . No way he should be considered a “ significant loss” .

I saw no need to stomp on a talented Kentucky kid. He was good enough to receive an offer. Perhaps he could have contributed, or perhaps he is better off at Cincinnati. I am not concerned about the impact on our class, but he is still a respectable prospect. Good luck to him. In any case, if Stoops needs that scholarship for a higher-upside player, all of us can agree that is a good thing for UK and a product of a mostly successful season.

 

[yoshukai]

I saw no need to stomp on a talented Kentucky kid. He was good enough to receive an offer. Perhaps he could have contributed, or perhaps he is better off at Cincinnati. I am not concerned about the impact on our class, but he is still a respectable prospect. Good luck to him.

Who’s stomping on him . The fact is he was told there wasn’t going to be room for him . So evidently he’s not a significant loss . Rockcat78 has heard and posted the same thing . Is he “stomping on a talented kid “ .

 

[Rembrandt90]

Who’s stomping on him . The fact is he was told there wasn’t going to be room for him . So evidently he’s not a significant loss . Rockcat78 has heard and posted the same thing . Is he “stomping on a talented kid “ .

It just isn't necessary. If you want to do it, then do it. As you say, you aren't alone.

We can agree on this much. UK's class is apparently going to be very good. When you see this caliber of player visiting campus in December, it bodes very well.

 

[Rock_Cat78]

There's also no point in posting that he was a significant loss to the class when nothing could be further from the truth. I think most folks would rather have the truth here than misinformation.

 

[Rembrandt90]

There's also no point in posting that he was a significant loss to class when nothing could be further from the truth. I think most folks would rather have the truth here than misinformation.

You can certainly post whatever you want. I don't see any point in talking down a Kentucky kid who was good enough at one point to receive an offer. And I don't see any point in starting meaningless conflicts with other UK fans. Accusing another poster of posting "misinformation" is certainly uncalled for, especially when you have made some statements yourself that turned out to be untrue. I believe you will agree with me that recruiting is an interesting topic that deserves a clean discussion. I believe you have agreed with me in the past that we should keep this thread focused on UK's 2022 recruiting class. So let's do that. But if you want a conflict, please find one elsewhere. Not interested.

 

[Rock_Cat78]

You can certainly post whatever you want. I don't see any point in talking down a Kentucky kid who was good enough at one point to receive an offer. And I don't see any point in starting meaningless conflicts with other UK fans. I believe you have agreed with me in the past that we should keep this thread focused on UK's 2022 recruiting class. So let's do that.

I agree about keeping it on topic, but nobody was running the kid down and to suggest otherwise is just not the case. If someone said that he sucks and can't play at the SEC level, okay, that may be a bit harsh. But, giving the facts of what happened so other fans know the real story and are not thinking he was a big loss for Kentucky is important. Now, back to other things.

 

[Fadhi]

Longmire was NOT a significant loss to Kentucky's class. He was encouraged to look elsewhere.

I was not impressed with Longmires film as a defensive player. I think he is offense all the way. Jordan Anthony looked better as a defensive player to be honest.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I agree about keeping it on topic, but nobody was running the kid down and to suggest otherwise is just not the case. If someone said that he sucks and can't play at the SEC level, okay, that may be a bit harsh. But, giving the facts of what happened so other fans know the real story and are not thinking he was a big loss for Kentucky is important. Now, back to other things.

So we are clear, I enjoy reading your posts and almost always find your takes very interesting. In the past, I have tried to give you attribution when you have been correct.

But many fans have contributed information. IMO, that is the most interesting aspect of this thread. It's become a true recruiting forum. Others sometimes deserve credit for having interesting observations. That's only fair. And just so we are especially clear, I have not posted misinformation although (like everyone else) I sometimes turn out wrong about what a player will decide.

I am just a fan who lives in Georgetown and attended UK. I work for a private firm in Lexington and most of my office mates attended UK too. I came over to this website after discovering the hard way that KSR is a bad source. The hardest things to deal with on these websites are the lack of focus, proliferation of false rumors, and open hostility. On these specialized annual recruiting threads, I feel like we have an opportunity to do better than that.

 

[THE_OAK]

 

[Rembrandt90]

Is this a recruiting observation?

 

[yoshukai]

It just isn't necessary. If you want to do it, then do it. As you say, you aren't alone.

We can agree on this much. UK's class is apparently going to be very good. When you see this caliber of player visiting campus in December, it bodes very well.

You still haven’t shown how I stomped on him . But whatever.

 

[THE_OAK]

Is this a recruiting observation?

That's a bickering observation.

 

[Rembrandt90]

That's a bickering observation.

All I have done here is try my best to provide annual UK recruiting news threads. IMO, the best thing about this thread is that so many different posters have contributed interesting UK recruiting information. But the most frustrating aspect is how many other people want to divert the thread for personal attacks and other baggage not related to UK football recruiting. What does your comment contribute to the recruiting forum?

Once again, I ask with all due respect that comments on this thread be focused on UK's 2022 football recruiting class. If we can't accomplish that here, than what is the point of visiting this website? IDK.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Here are this weekend's official visitors-

Quentel Jones, DL, Ft Valley, GA
Davison Igbinosun, DB, Union, NJ
Jordan Anthony, slotR, Tylertown, MS (committed to UK)

Here are next weekend's scheduled official visitors-

Deone Walker, OL/DL, Detroit, MI
Ja'Kobi Albert, slotR, Fairfield, AL (committed to Auburn)
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY (committed to UK)
Andre Stewart, DB, Kennesaw, GA (committed to UK)

 

[lz]

Here are this weekend's official visitors-

Quentel Jones, DL, Ft Valley, GA
Davison Igbinosun, DB, Union, NJ
Jordan Anthony, slotR, Tylertown, MS (committed to UK)

Here are next weekend's scheduled official visitors-

Deone Walker, OL/DL, Detroit, MI
Ja'Kobi Albert, slotR, Fairfield, AL (committed to Auburn)
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY (committed to UK)
Andre Smith, DB, Kennesaw, GA (committed to UK)

Believe you meant Andre Stewart.

 

[THE_OAK]

All I have done here is try my best to provide annual UK recruiting news threads. IMO, the best thing about this thread is that so many different posters have contributed interesting UK recruiting information. But the most frustrating aspect is how many other people want to divert the thread for personal attacks and other baggage not related to UK football recruiting. What does your comment contribute to the recruiting forum?

Once again, I ask with all due respect that comments on this thread be focused on UK's 2022 football recruiting class. If we can't accomplish that here, than what is the point of visiting this website? IDK.

I debated on whether to even reply to you for you are unable to see the irony of your own post. The fact that you have derailed this thread as much as any other poster and are unable to realize that is quite laughable. You have on multiple occasions started bickering with multiple people on here and yet you have the gall to call someone else out for them “getting off topic.” The gif I posted was in reference to you derailing this very thread telling people what they can and cannot say about a recruit which hasn’t been disrespectful in any manner whatsoever. I am done with replying to you as this doesn’t continue the focus of this thread which I wholeheartedly agree should be about the 2021 recruiting class. With that said have a nice day.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Believe you meant Andre Stewart.

Yes. Thanks. I will correct it.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I debated on whether to even reply to you for you are unable to see the irony of your own post. The fact that you have derailed this thread as much as any other poster and are unable to realize that is quite laughable. You have on multiple occasions started bickering with multiple people on here and yet you have the gall to call someone else out for them “getting off topic.” The gif I posted was in reference to you derailing this very thread telling people what they can and cannot say about a recruit which hasn’t been disrespectful in any manner whatsoever. I am done with replying to you as this doesn’t continue the focus of this thread which I wholeheartedly agree should be about the 2021 recruiting class. With that said have a nice day.

Which then begs the question again. What have you contributed to our recruiting forum?

Again, let's please focus this forum on UK's 2022 recruiting class. If anyone wishes to pursue another subject or attack someone, please start a different thread.

 

[lz]

Yes. Thanks. I will correct it.

I just spelled Sumrall as Sumlin in a post…eye roll.

 

[Rembrandt90]

A crystal ball pick has been submitted by Michael Swain, predicting Mason Thomas will sign with UK. Thomas is a LB from Cardinal Gibbons hs in Ft Lauderdale. His uncommitted Cardinal Gibbons teammate Ahmad Moten is also being recruited by UK.

The significance of this pick is that Michael Swain is an IA St insider. Thomas is publicly committed to IA St presently. Thomas and Moten are being recruited by UK DC Brad White. If he flips, Thomas would be the first commitment from the state of FL to UK's 2022 class.

Since I addressed the subject of possible transfers here yesterday, I should mention that Syracuse transfer WR Taj Harris has now decommitted from UK. The scuttlebutt is that Harris may be a couple of academic credits short of being eligible for admission to UK, but I don't know for sure if that is the reason. What we know for sure is that Coach Stoops is actively recruiting other WRs in the transfer portal, including Tayvion Robinson from VA Tech.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I just spelled Sumrall as Sumlin in a post…eye roll.

I try to double check before I post, but sometimes you just miss stuff. Thanks for your help.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Since Mason Thomas may be about to flip to UK, here is a little more information on him.

Thomas played DE at Cardinal Gibbons hs in Ft Lauderdale. He is projected as a college LB. He is being recruited by Brad White. He is currently committed to IA St, but an IA St insider is predicting he will flip to UK. UK and LSU are new offers for Thomas within the last six weeks.

Thomas has been selected first team all state in FL by the Miami Herald and Orlando Sun Sentinel. He also runs track.

 

[Rock_Cat78]

There are currently no crystal ball picks for Thomas to Kentucky. Swain originally put in a UK pick, but changed it back to Iowa State, albeit with a confidence level of one. I do think he eventually flips, but we aren't quite there yet. He will sign in February and I expect him to officially visit Kentucky sometime in January.

 

[trentrobinson9]

will they take both deone walker and quentel jones at DT, just saw rowland put in a pick for jones

 

[tf4fun]

There are currently no crystal ball picks for Thomas to Kentucky. Swain originally put in a UK pick, but changed it back to Iowa State, albeit with a confidence level of one. I do think he eventually flips, but we aren't quite there yet. He will sign in February and I expect him to officially visit Kentucky sometime in January.

I feel like we need to sign between 25-30 this recruiting class! There's those we are expecting to commit soon, but are there names we have not heard about?

I'm expecting more transfer out of the WR room at some point!

 

[tf4fun]

will they take both deone walker and quentel jones at DT, just saw rowland put in a pick for jones

We need both!! You need to give them a year or 2 in the S&C program, before they truly are ready to compete at this level!

 

[downw/ball-lineD]

Here are this weekend's official visitors-

Quentel Jones, DL, Ft Valley, GA
Davison Igbinosun, DB, Union, NJ
Jordan Anthony, slotR, Tylertown, MS (committed to UK)

Here are next weekend's scheduled official visitors-

Deone Walker, OL/DL, Detroit, MI
Ja'Kobi Albert, slotR, Fairfield, AL (committed to Auburn)
Jackson Smith, K, Danville, KY (committed to UK)
Andre Stewart, DB, Kennesaw, GA (committed to UK)

interested to hear your projections for UK finalizing its class. I love the thought of walker, Jones and mason thomas to the class. personally, I’d take a flyer on Moten as well. Steal igbinosun and flip Albert and uk could not have done much better IMo.

address wr and cb n the portal

 

[Uncle Adolph]

Rock do you still feel good about Goodwin ?

 

[Rembrandt90]

will they take both deone walker and quentel jones at DT, just saw rowland put in a pick for jones

With Taj Harris' decommitment, UK currently has 57-60 players scheduled to return in 2022, depending on what Rodriguez, Rosenthal, and Wandale decide about the next NFL draft. The roster limit is normally 85, but that will be waived in 2022 for players recruited to replace superseniors. I think UK used 6 superseniors this year. UK currently has 17 verbal commitments. So Stoops can take a lot more new players (commits and transfers) if he wants to.

Stoops recently said that the DL is still a position of recruiting need.

I don't know if Stoops can pry Deone Walker away from MI, but there are reasons for optimism in some of Walker's statements. Walker is a take for UK regardless of the rest of the class. Aside from the fact that Walker is one of the best remaining uncommitted players on UK's recruiting board, he is projectable as an offensive or defensive lineman. So if Walker wants a scholarship here, he will have one.

Jones just visited. That means our coaches want him. Jones holds at least seven SEC offers, which means he either plays for UK or else probably plays against UK. Besides, there is a good chance that Jones and Walker wouldn't play the same position. So I believe both players are takes.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Rock do you still feel good about Goodwin ?

My thought. Goodwin has a lot of great options. UK, MI, AL, OK, TX A&M among them. The real question here is whether Goodwin himself has completely made his mind up yet. I doubt he has, but who knows? Vince Marrow is a strong closer. Marrow has never had to hold onto a player with Goodwin's options before, but I think we still have a good chance to sign him. Nobody can honestly say for sure though. All any of us can really do now is guess. I know this much. No other coach will outwork Marrow.

 

[Rock_Cat78]

Rock do you still feel good about Goodwin ?

Yes. Also, on Deone Walker, Georgia is more or a threat than Michigan, but I think Wolford and UK closes it out next weekend.

 

[sluggercatfan]

There are currently no crystal ball picks for Thomas to Kentucky. Swain originally put in a UK pick, but changed it back to Iowa State, albeit with a confidence level of one. I do think he eventually flips, but we aren't quite there yet. He will sign in February and I expect him to officially visit Kentucky sometime in January.

RC78...what's your analysis/interest on Daniel Swinney the RB at Male?

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Since Mason Thomas may be about to flip to UK, here is a little more information on him.

Thomas played DE at Cardinal Gibbons hs in Ft Lauderdale. He is projected as a college LB. He is being recruited by Brad White. He is currently committed to IA St, but an IA St insider is predicting he will flip to UK. UK and LSU are new offers for Thomas within the last six weeks.

Thomas has been selected first team all state in FL by the Miami Herald and Orlando Sun Sentinel. He also runs track.

Think he was just elevated to 4 stars. Penn St and SC after him also, the 6-2 215 edge rusher says his speed getting to the backfield is his forte.

 

[Rock_Cat78]

RC78...what's your analysis/interest on Daniel Swinney the RB at Male?

Never know, but would be surprised if UK showed much interest. Things can always change though.

 

[Girthang]

Since Mason Thomas may be about to flip to UK, here is a little more information on him.

Thomas played DE at Cardinal Gibbons hs in Ft Lauderdale. He is projected as a college LB. He is being recruited by Brad White. He is currently committed to IA St, but an IA St insider is predicting he will flip to UK. UK and LSU are new offers for Thomas within the last six weeks.

Thomas has been selected first team all state in FL by the Miami Herald and Orlando Sun Sentinel. He also runs track.

Sweet. Hope all of this interest bears fruit

 

[Rembrandt90]

Sweet. Hope all of this interest bears fruit

This is the time of year for flips of this kind. I don't think he will sign with IA St. Better options. Would be a good addition if Coach White can pull it off. Would also like to sign his hs teammate Ahmad Moten if there is room.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

There are currently no crystal ball picks for Thomas to Kentucky. Swain originally put in a UK pick, but changed it back to Iowa State, albeit with a confidence level of one. I do think he eventually flips, but we aren't quite there yet. He will sign in February and I expect him to officially visit Kentucky sometime in January.

Thanks Rock for your outstanding contributions to this thread.