I think Rock said that UK wasn’t recruiting him in another thread.
State of 2023 Recruiting
- Thread starter Canned Heat
- Start date
Interesting thing about O’Neil is hypothetically his true freshman year would be Coach Scangarello’s third year at UK. Maybe this implies he sees himself here for longer than a couple years? I know recruiting is his job regardless but still.
So, I've been talking about him in another thread, but my Nephew Kellan McLaughlin is Trinity's kicker and Likely First team All-State this year. He led the state in Field Goals last year, by a pretty wide margin. Kicked four of them against Cincinnati St. X last year including a 54 yarder. He basically won that game for them last year.
Anywho, He's has High interest from Purdue (obvious connections there), UofL, went up to see a spring practice at Notre Dame and came away unimpressed. Wisconsin was in his ear and wanted him to camp there this summer, but I don't think he's interested in them. He had Dukes Special Teams coach (who used to work at UofL) come in to the school specifically to see him. He attended their Special Teams Camp the other day and performed well.
Now for the kicker (pun intended) He has a lot of family who are UK fans. His brother and two of his cousins (my sons) attend UK. Pretty much all of our side of the family are UK fans. His Papaw and Granny (mine and his moms parents) were longtime season ticket holders. I've had season tickets since 1994.
He had signed up for Dukes camp which was on the same day as UK's after hearing through the grapevine that UK wasn't taking a kicker in the 2023 class. However he was able to get a one on one workout with the Special teams coach at UK who put him through all the drills the Campers went through.
He out performed ALL of the Campers and when allowed to set up a couple of his own field goal attempts, he connected from 57 & 60 yards. All of his kickoffs were touchbacks, and he nailed one within the five yard line when asked to do that. The coach told him to set up a visit for any game he wants to attend this fall and that they WILL be taking one High Schooler. So Now I'm a proud uncle and UK now has Kellan high on their list.
He was supposed to attend a Kohl's kicking camp a few weeks ago that was a national ranking camp, but had to miss at the last minute due to Covid. He's scheduled for another in July I think.
Anywho, He's has High interest from Purdue (obvious connections there), UofL, went up to see a spring practice at Notre Dame and came away unimpressed. Wisconsin was in his ear and wanted him to camp there this summer, but I don't think he's interested in them. He had Dukes Special Teams coach (who used to work at UofL) come in to the school specifically to see him. He attended their Special Teams Camp the other day and performed well.
Now for the kicker (pun intended) He has a lot of family who are UK fans. His brother and two of his cousins (my sons) attend UK. Pretty much all of our side of the family are UK fans. His Papaw and Granny (mine and his moms parents) were longtime season ticket holders. I've had season tickets since 1994.
He had signed up for Dukes camp which was on the same day as UK's after hearing through the grapevine that UK wasn't taking a kicker in the 2023 class. However he was able to get a one on one workout with the Special teams coach at UK who put him through all the drills the Campers went through.
He out performed ALL of the Campers and when allowed to set up a couple of his own field goal attempts, he connected from 57 & 60 yards. All of his kickoffs were touchbacks, and he nailed one within the five yard line when asked to do that. The coach told him to set up a visit for any game he wants to attend this fall and that they WILL be taking one High Schooler. So Now I'm a proud uncle and UK now has Kellan high on their list.
He was supposed to attend a Kohl's kicking camp a few weeks ago that was a national ranking camp, but had to miss at the last minute due to Covid. He's scheduled for another in July I think.
Just a gut feeling? Was glad nothing came out after he went to Volapalooza or whatever. They get the last OV though.
Factually untrue about Cincy in 2019:
Murder map: Deadliest U.S. cities
You might be surprised by the murder rates in major cities across the U.S.www.cbsnews.com
Now for 2022, it may be true.
You're correct. They jumped into the top 20 (not top 10) in 2019. I misread the spreadsheet I created. Thanks for catching that.
I don't know what their numbers were for 2022.
Edit- Cincy jumped to 14th in homicide rate in 2020. 2nd only to St Louis for homicides per capita for 2021 https://news.yahoo.com/cincinnati-2nd-highest-homicides-per-225328235.html
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Well he took us directly there once before----and it seems that our dumb fans loved him for it. The ONLY reasons UK football came back is because of money from the OTHER SEC football programs, not a thing that he did. Not only did we have to borrow the money for the no brainer upgrades to CW but Academics extorted another $60M from athletics to get the loan.
I agree that we have a great staff. The only thing that can keep us afloat with UK athletics present
leadership and the NIL situation.
Lets hope we learned something from the inept leadership that resulted in TWO two win seasons and the loss of 20,000 season ticket holders. I often wonder if those same fans are treating our AD like a hero mow, since the flood of money from the OTHER SEC football programs rescued us.
I agree that Stoops and his staff have done a great job against daunting odds. I just hope he sticks around, he could go somewhere where they recognize the value of football.
If you’ve ever heard someone say “the ball sounds different” when kicked by a powerful kicker, watch the brief film, above.
Sounds like a .410 shotgun!
Sounds like a .410 shotgun!
Kellan has a lot of self-discipline. Practices his craft every chance he gets. Arranges for his holder and snapper to work out with him. Has a personal kicking coach, works out in the weight room religiously. And even has a job on top of it all. Plus he’s a good, very respectful young man with a good head on his shoulders. Does well in school too. I know I’m biased, but I really hope it works out he can go to UK. I know that after yesterday he was on cloud 9 knowing he has a chance.
How many of our big games in last decade were w/l based on FG???
I know we signed a good one this year and kicking scholarships are a premium. But, I’d rather have 2 good proven kickers and try to get them separated by 2 years with a RS instead of giving a flyer scholarship on another position that will likely transfer away in a few years.
But … Stoops Has earned my trust regardless of what decision he makes on offering a scholarship. Looks and sounds like your nephew will succeed wherever he goes. Hope he gets his dream!
I know we signed a good one this year and kicking scholarships are a premium. But, I’d rather have 2 good proven kickers and try to get them separated by 2 years with a RS instead of giving a flyer scholarship on another position that will likely transfer away in a few years.
But … Stoops Has earned my trust regardless of what decision he makes on offering a scholarship. Looks and sounds like your nephew will succeed wherever he goes. Hope he gets his dream!
Most have used a field goal or two along the way.
Several at or near the end.
Claiborne said kicking was one-third of the game. He was right!
Here are some examples of the kind of work he puts in. He really wants to be the best.
Would be great to get the recruiting train rolling with the best in state kid and a monster from Philly
I hope that is right. His posts appeared that way, then JR did the writeup on his visit and didn't know. He said he wasn't flipping his UK prediction but was getting less confident yesterday. Would be great
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