State of 2023 Recruiting

[Colonial Farm 80]

As I have admitted before, I get most of my recruiting news off these dedicated threads. I have two gripes. First, let the thread stay on the subject, which is 2023 Kentucky recruiting. This is straightforward. It isn't about Georgia football, Tennessee football, beer sales, or putting down other people's point of view.

I am a forensic psychologist, working for our federal security services for more than 30 years. At times, I have been involved in analyzing some of the world's most hateful, dangerous troublemakers, sometimes just from what they post on websites and what they write in letters. One theme always gives manipulative people away. They can't stand for anyone else to be viewed as competition or challengers.

So I would just say this to the commenters. You may know a lot about recruiting, and that is a good thing for people who read this thread for recruiting news. But it does not mean others don't also know something. All contributions give something to the readers. So if you find yourself always trying to second guess others, correct others, put others down, continually assert your superiority, call others adjectives such as imposter or thin-skinned, or feature yourself as the last word, then you might should rethink how you post. You never know when a UK fan might also be a forensic psychologist. These threads are for everyone, not just for legends in their own minds. I wouldn't hardly know a damned thing about our recruiting class if not for this thread, but I would prefer not to read as much Georgia football news and putdowns of the guys who donate their own time to provide the recruiting information. When you try to run off these other guys who follow recruiting so you can be superior, it takes something away for everyone else. IMO.

 

[SECCountry75]

As I have admitted before, I get most of my recruiting news off these dedicated threads. I have two gripes. First, let the thread stay on the subject, which is 2023 Kentucky recruiting. This is straightforward. It isn't about Georgia football, Tennessee football, beer sales, or putting down other people's point of view.

I am a forensic psychologist, working for our federal security services for more than 30 years. At times, I have been involved in analyzing some of the world's most hateful, dangerous troublemakers, sometimes just from what they post on websites and what they write in letters. One theme always gives manipulative people away. They can't stand for anyone else to be viewed as competition or challengers.

So I would just say this to the commenters. You may know a lot about recruiting, and that is a good thing for people who read this thread for recruiting news. But it does not mean others don't also know something. All contributions give something to the readers. So if you find yourself always trying to second guess others, correct others, put others down, continually assert your superiority, call others adjectives such as imposter or thin-skinned, or feature yourself as the last word, then you might should rethink how you post. You never know when a UK fan might also be a forensic psychologist. These threads are for everyone, not just for legends in their own minds. I wouldn't hardly know a damned thing about our recruiting class if not for this thread, but I would prefer not to read as much Georgia football news and putdowns of the guys who donate their own time to provide the recruiting information. When you try to run off these other guys who follow recruiting so you can be superior, it takes something away for everyone else. IMO.

This needed to be said. This thread is stalling. Even the poster who started the thread no longer posts. But get ready for blowback from some of the people you described.

 

[TuckyFB]

We're far away until a 2025 recruiting thread, but likely one of UK's 2025 QB targets Cutter Boley is transferring to LCA

 

[SPECT imaging]

I live on the east coast of Florida. Does anyone know if Kentucky is still recruiting Amare Ferrell, Jaden Robinson, and Andrew Rumph?

 

[SECCountry75]

I think Mike Stoops is recruiting Rumph. Don't know about the other two but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Smashcat]

Lexington (Ky.) Christian 2025 quarterback Cutter Boley earned a couple more offers on Thursday at the Ferris State Megacamp with Tennessee and Missouri jumping into the mix. This was his third time throwing in front of Vols quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle.

2025 QB Cutter Boley earns two SEC offers at Ferris State Mega Camp

The latest here.

247sports.com

 

[Smashcat]

"Top247 defensive back Daeh McCullough, he's going to announce his commitment this weekend, out of South Bend St. Joseph's," Wiltfong said. "His dad's an assistant coach at Notre Dame. I like Cincinnati over Kentucky and Penn State, among others. Cincinnati has the No. 16 class in the country right now..”

Cincinnati football: Top247 recruit Daeh McCullough trending to Bearcats

...

247sports.com

 

[TuckyFB]

Things look bleak right now... Hopefully we get some momentum with the camps starting up soon.

 

[Bereacat420]

James Heard committed to WVU today

 

[sieken]

James Heard committed to WVU today

Damn, I thought we were looking good for his commitment

 

[TuckyFB]

 

[SECCountry75]

Things look bleak right now... Hopefully we get some momentum with the camps starting up soon.

Things do not look bleak. Class rankings in June mean nothing. Each year, commitments speed up once the summer camps open up. You are bound to be proven right about this. Losing Sumrall and Coen caused changes in our recruiting plans, but this will pass. This might be a year when having some open scholarships to offer during the fall might play to Stoops' advantage. If we have a strong season, players will be interested.

Another thing, there are always late risers. Trevin Wallace and Jordan Wright are players who became interested in Kentucky in the fall after being less interested in us over the summer. Kavosiey Smoke and Kenneth Horsey are examples of players that were not near the top of Kentucky's priority sheet over the summer, but improved their stock during the fall and deepened the interest of our coaches. Sometimes it is better to have some flexible scholarships in your back pocket late in the fall, especially during a successful season.

 

[why_not_kentucky]

Lexington (Ky.) Christian 2025 quarterback Cutter Boley earned a couple more offers on Thursday at the Ferris State Megacamp with Tennessee and Missouri jumping into the mix. This was his third time throwing in front of Vols quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle.

2025 QB Cutter Boley earns two SEC offers at Ferris State Mega Camp

The latest here.

247sports.com

Wonder if his family is moving to Lexington as well. Scott has a Dental office in Hodgenville.

 

[knockturnal79]

Malachi Wood currently camping at Bama. I don't know how serious the interest is, but has to be representative of the potential in the kid.

 

[YaketySax]

 

[Bereacat420]

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A good question is how many of those are committable and how many were to get him to camp. I can't believe that they were truly recruiting him and he only took visits to ul and Illinois

 

[Uncle Adolph]

Is this the first in state loss for Marrow ? I am surprised

 

[benstephens]

Is this the first in state loss for Marrow ? I am surprised

Not a loss when the kid didn’t have a commitable offer

 

[BluegrassSportsNet]

A good question is how many of those are committable and how many were to get him to camp. I can't believe that they were truly recruiting him and he only took visits to ul and Illinois

Reading tea leaves only commitable offers were Illinois and maybe Louisville and West Virginia. Some guys just wanna take what they can get now as opposed to waiting and winding up with nothing maybe. Nothing wrong with that, just a choice.

 

[Canned Heat]

No

Is this the first in state loss for Marrow ? I am surprised

No committable offer I believe

 

[Uncle Adolph]

No

No committable offer I believe

OK Thanks for the info

 

[Fadhi]

Malachi Wood currently camping at Bama. I don't know how serious the interest is, but has to be representative of the potential in the kid.

Bama is always interested in the physical freak type recruits so Im not suprised Woods is getting a look from them

 

[TuckyFB]

Cameron Calhoun decommitted from WVU

 

[Dddjdd]

Cameron Calhoun decommitted from WVU

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He was offered by Cincinnati within the last week.

 

[Girthang]

If you are going to tweet back at recruits, don't be this guy. I'm assuming this is the BoulderCat that posts on this board.

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No. This guy's an idiot and a hypocrite.

 

[Dddjdd]

Side note, but UC in the Big 12 seems like a real blow to WVU recruiting. I know we’ve talked a lot about how it’ll affect our recruiting. But WVU is out of the conference footprint, doesn’t have much in state talent and now has UC one state over getting dibs on a lot of that regional talent now that they’re P5. WVU also likes to recruit Pennsylvania wouldn’t surprise me to see Cincy grab some of those kids too.

 

[C.W.S.pipesealer]

Side note, but UC in the Big 12 seems like a real blow to WVU recruiting. I know we’ve talked a lot about how it’ll affect our recruiting. But WVU is out of the conference footprint, doesn’t have much in state talent and now has UC one state over getting dibs on a lot of that regional talent now that they’re P5. WVU also likes to recruit Pennsylvania wouldn’t surprise me to see Cincy grab some of those kids too.

Kentucky and WVU are the biggest losers of Cinci getting a Big 12 bid. As long as Fickle and Kerry Coombs are at UC, it’s gonna be tough for UK to beat them head to head for a guy based on current momentum.

 

[Canned Heat]

Oregon and Kentucky to get official visits from Top247 ATH Robert Stafford​

247 pay article

 

[Canned Heat]

 

[Canned Heat]

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...ng-green-ath-cristian-conyer-decision-july-3/

 

[Canned Heat]

 

[why_not_kentucky]

NIL is here to stay and Kentucky is way behind on this thing. I absolutely hate the fact Mitch has handicapped us on actually competing with the big boys for recruits. Hell Yuvell is kicking azz in recruiting. Wtf man.

 

[yoshukai]

Saw where Kamari Burns committed to Cincinnati.

 

[Dddjdd]

Saw where Kamari Burns committed to Cincinnati.

Ya Cincy is going to greatly hamper any out-of-state team that relies on Ohio recruits. As much as I love dominating in-state recruiting, we might need to figure out a new recruiting area to rely on. I know Mike Stoops is trying to use his connections in Florida but every program is trying to recruit FL. Cincy has really thrown a wrench in a good thing.

 

[jauk11]

NIL is here to stay and Kentucky is way behind on this thing. I absolutely hate the fact Mitch has handicapped us on actually competing with the big boys for recruits. Hell Yuvell is kicking azz in recruiting. Wtf man.

I think you just answered the question in your name.

 

[mrschwump]

NIL is here to stay and Kentucky is way behind on this thing. I absolutely hate the fact Mitch has handicapped us on actually competing with the big boys for recruits. Hell Yuvell is kicking azz in recruiting. Wtf man.

I'm not disputing a thing you say but tell me how UK's losing out on the NLI thing. I understand what NLI is but how is MB hamstringing UK's efforts? TIA.

 

[K_TIME]

Kentucky and WVU are the biggest losers of Cinci getting a Big 12 bid. As long as Fickle and Kerry Coombs are at UC, it’s gonna be tough for UK to beat them head to head for a guy based on current momentum.

It is a blow....but I'd still call it in a minor blow of Cincy to Big 12.

At the end of the day, Ohio kids that UK wants to recruit and Cincy wants to recruit will compare a new BIg 12 of schools like Kansas, Kansas St, Iowa St, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma St, etc...when they can play at UK vs. teams like UGA, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Tenn, etc...

Secondly, they can travel to home and away games within hours in many instances going to UK....go to Cincy you'll damn near traveling halfway across the country.

Now UK needs get off their ass and get this NIL ideology behind us. This is what holding us back IMO and it's 100% Mitch. UK fans probably need to pressure Mitch to change or step down in the end. He appears to be wrecking all that has built up by Stoops/Marrow with his NIL views.

 

[Dddjdd]

It is a blow....but I'd still call it in a minor blow of Cincy to Big 12.

At the end of the day, Ohio kids that UK wants to recruit and Cincy wants to recruit will compare a new BIg 12 of schools like Kansas, Kansas St, Iowa St, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma St, etc...when they can play at UK vs. teams like UGA, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Tenn, etc...

Secondly, they can travel to home and away games within hours in many instances going to UK....go to Cincy you'll damn near traveling halfway across the country.

Now UK needs get off their ass and get this NIL ideology behind us. This is what holding us back IMO and it's 100% Mitch. UK fans probably need to pressure Mitch to change or step down in the end. He appears to be wrecking all that has built up by Stoops/Marrow with his NIL views.

We wanted Burns and he just committed to UC. Maybe he’ll end up flipping and we do have the SEC pitch, but Cincy is a real threat for a lot of these solid three star OH kids now that they’re in a “power” conference even though it’s a watered down one.

 

[K_TIME]

We wanted Burns and he just committed to UC. Maybe he’ll end up flipping and we do have the SEC pitch, but Cincy is a real threat for a lot of these solid three star OH kids now that they’re in a “power” conference even though it’s a watered down one.

And I guess we need to get to more specific to what may be causing our 2023 recruiting to be off and Cincy's to be really good.

1. It could be Cincy going to better conference (that just happened)
2. It could be Cincy improved a ton under FIckell and is in way better bowls (that has been happening for a few years)
3. Or it could be the new NIL stuff (that just happened).

My gut tells me kids Fickell has been at Cincy since 2016....and while the BCS was dang impressive last year (they got manhandled and lost by 3 TDs to Bama). So to me the most rationale argument is UK/Mitch is pussyfooting around with NIL and paying players while recruiting and then once they are UK players...then the NIL can come as it comes. And Cincy (and most other programs in college) are 100% offering NIL to recruits and being way more aggressive than schools like UK.

I just don't think kids care a ton of B12....hell it ain't even going to remain a P5 conference once Texas and Oklahoma leave. I think the NIL is how Cincy is doing so well in recruiting along with Fickell putting some kids in NFL are the main drivers of their surge.

 

[Dddjdd]

And I guess we need to get to more specific to what may be causing our 2023 recruiting to be off and Cincy's to be really good.

1. It could be Cincy going to better conference (that just happened)
2. It could be Cincy improved a ton under FIckell and is in way better bowls (that has been happening for a few years)
3. Or it could be the new NIL stuff (that just happened).

My gut tells me kids Fickell has been at Cincy since 2016....and while the BCS was dang impressive last year (they got manhandled and lost by 3 TDs to Bama). So to me the most rationale argument is UK/Mitch is pussyfooting around with NIL and paying players while recruiting and then once they are UK players...then the NIL can come as it comes. And Cincy (and most other programs in college) are 100% offering NIL to recruits and being way more aggressive than schools like UK.

I just don't think kids care a ton of B12....hell it ain't even going to remain a P5 conference once Texas and Oklahoma leave. I think the NIL is how Cincy is doing so well in recruiting along with Fickell putting some kids in NFL are the main drivers of their surge.

Good point. There’s been a lot of change recently so it’s hard to attribute it to just one thing. I just mean playing for your home or in-state school has an appeal to a lot of recruits, and Cincy with the Big 12 plus playoff appearance has legitimized themselves as an option for good players. Totally buy their NIL is farther ahead than us too which is another huge factor.