Or maybe is planning to recruit him to his next school which may not be P5...
State of 2023 Recruiting
- Thread starter Canned Heat
- Start date
Have you seen that UK/VM has offered at least 2 players in Germany, a QB and a DL? Didn't VM coach in the now defunct NFL Europe? Must be calling in chits.
What has happened to Rockcat? Haven’t seen him in this recruiting thread in a long long time. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.🦃🦃🦃🦃!!!
What the heck happened? I thought he was a lock to UK...Rembrandt?
JR said the contact is Brandon collier. The DL is big and runs a 4.8 forty. They're saying his recruitment is about to explode
Found film, 6'4" 305, runs well, very impressive. This would be a huge pickup.
His Twitter say 6'4 298
Check out Farradj Titikpina on Twitter.
DL|| 6‘4 || 298lbs ||🇩🇪|| class of 2023|| 4.75 40yrd||9‘8 Broad Jump|| https://twitter.com/brown_farri?s=20&t=I1izR5_MzvDc9QsTD4I4fA
Check out Farradj Titikpina on Twitter.
DL|| 6‘4 || 298lbs ||🇩🇪|| class of 2023|| 4.75 40yrd||9‘8 Broad Jump|| https://twitter.com/brown_farri?s=20&t=I1izR5_MzvDc9QsTD4I4fA
You are telling me this guy is not already a 30 y/o 3 time Pro Bowler?
OT: Michigan had a German DE a few years ago I think. He was on Bruce Feldman’s freak list in that preseason. Not sure if he got drafted or what. I remember reading he grew up playing American football during the summer and competitive cross country and downhill skiing in the winter. Sounded cool.
I don't recall anyone saying Lacey was a lock to UK. I recall thinking I would be surprised if he went somewhere else. So I am surprised. I thought being from instate would be enough, but my thinking was influenced by Lacey visiting Lexington twice. But OK is an interesting program.
There were obvious factors that did not entice Lacey here. The biggest one is probably that UK has a deep DL, and none of our key DL performers graduates this year. I don't know how much losing to Vandy at home hurt Stoops' recruiting effort, but it couldn't have helped. But, as a general matter, I think recruitment of defensive players should still be easier than recruiting offensive players, because Coach White has built an excellent defense that is turning heads in the SEC. White's reputation is growing rapidly. So Lacey would have made a good decision by picking UK, but that is not the decision he made.
With regard to our 2023 recruiting class, DL just hasn't been a high priority for obvious reasons. It isn't a simple matter to attract top DL prospects when your returning DL for 2023 is already three-deep with experienced players. We need linebackers and DBs. So far, this is an excellent DB class.
Some 2023 prospects who have recently received new UK offers-
CJ Blocker, DB, New Caney, TX
Jason Hewlett, LB, Youngstown, OH
Jordan Louie, RB, Norcross, GA
Asa Newsom, LB, Waverly, IA
Farradj Titikpina, DL, Dussseldorf, Germany
D'Juan Waller, DB, Youngstown, OH
Taylor Wein, DL, Nolensville, TN
Abram Wright, LB, Oranmge Park, FL
It appears that UK's coaching staff has stepped up their recruitments of DB Cameron Calhoun, slotR Karmello English, and juco RB Robert Henry, all discussed previously on this thread.
CJ Blocker, DB, New Caney, TX
Jason Hewlett, LB, Youngstown, OH
Jordan Louie, RB, Norcross, GA
Asa Newsom, LB, Waverly, IA
Farradj Titikpina, DL, Dussseldorf, Germany
D'Juan Waller, DB, Youngstown, OH
Taylor Wein, DL, Nolensville, TN
Abram Wright, LB, Oranmge Park, FL
It appears that UK's coaching staff has stepped up their recruitments of DB Cameron Calhoun, slotR Karmello English, and juco RB Robert Henry, all discussed previously on this thread.
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Nothjng shocking hwre. I was surprised that UK was initially looked at as the leader. He was not interested in UK at all out of HS and the family aren't UK fans. When he started taking other visits I expected him to go elsewhere. UK is deep as you mentioned so no huge lose. There will be better DL hit the portal in the next couple weeks.
Rembrandt,
What has happened with the WR from Nashville, a decommit from MSU and close friend of Barion Brown?
Thanks in advance.
The name is Demitrius Bell, and he is a very good receiver prospect. As you reviewed, he is a MI St decommit and a friend of Barion Brown, from Nashville. UK is still recruiting him. Scott Woodward is the lead recruiter, and Woodward knows what he is doing. But Bell has received at least 9 SEC scholarship offers this year including AL, GA, TN, and LSU. I could be wrong on this one, and hope I am, but I don't see any current evidence that he will end up at UK. With all the problems on our offense, not the least of which is Rich Scangarello's performance as OC, I just don't think UK currently has the recruiting juice to pull him in. We will be lucky if we don't lose a couple of important playmakers in the portal.
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I am sure Jacob Lacey is a good player. Otherwise, OK would not offer him a scholarship. But UK is already loaded at the interior DL positions, which could be a reason Jacob Lacey picked another school. It is still a debatable question whether Stoops will invest any 2023 scholarships on our DL. Here is the scheduled DL returning roster, with listed classes being next year's-
2023 SENIORS
Josaih Hayes
Octavious Oxendine
Justin Rogers
JUNIORS
Sam Anaele
Darrion Henry-Young
Tre'Vonn Rybka
SOPHOMORES
Jamarius Dinkins
Kahlil Saunders
Deone Walker
REDSHIRT FRESHMEN
Tomiwa Durojaiye
A few of these players may be eligible for additional redshirt seasons for which I may have lost track.
Going forward, it gets a little more complicated if one or more of the above names transfers out. That could happen (to any team), but I expect UK to suffer transfer losses primarily from our offensive unit this year. Our defense is a very good unit, with support for Coach White and broad buy-in from the players. But if players do leave, that would open up scholarships and jobs.
There is still a chance that Quentel Jones might enroll between now and next season. I am not predicting it, but it might happen.
Among the underclassmen, Justin Rogers, Kahlil Saunders, and Deone Walker have had strong seasons. Tre'Vonn Rybka has also been really solid. Octavious Oxendine lost too much weight during the offseason, but that is correctable. All of these players are contributiors or potential contributors. Anaele and Henry-Young are the only ones who may be a little behind right now.
As the roster stands now, if Stoops takes a defensive lineman through the portal, the biggest need would be a pass rusher. If Stoops wants to take another defensive lineman from the portal, he will have that chance although it won't be Jacob Lacey.
Rembrandt in your opinion how bad is Rich S hurting us in recruiting and do you expect him to be the OC next season ?
You hit the nail on the head there. That's the big question right now, isn't it?
As far as I can see, Scangarello has not been an asset in recruitment of any 2023 prospects. I don't think he has a recruiting territory, and I am not even sure if he has been out on the road or taken a recruiting role at all. UK doesn't have a commitment from a QB, and isn't even recruiting a hs QB. There isn't a single 2023 prospect with a UK offer who has Scangarello as his current primary or secondary recruiter. This gives an appearance that Scangarello is so overwhelmed with overseeing UK's offense that he doesn't have time for anything else. It may also imply that Scangarello might have an incoming QB transfer already lined up, but we will have to see about that. IDK.
UK is currently ranked #107 in the nation (and last in the SEC) in total offense. That dog won't hunt. The only way that narrative could possibly help with recruiting would be if UK was recruiting a stubborn QB or playmaker who believes he can turn things around here. Andre Woodson was like that. But things typically don't work that way. Typically, key recruits are attracted to a successful system and a stable, dependable coaching staff. That isn't a mystery. Kids want to succeed and win. They don't want to spend four years being embarrassed by the media and thrown overboard by fans. Nobody wants to live that way, especially when they have other alternatives.
I don't believe everything can be blamed on Scangarello. Levis' injuries are not Scangarello's fault. Even when healthy, Levis is not gifted with great decision making skills or outstanding vision of the field. Scangarello did not hire Zach Yenser, either. From the beginning, I had a concern that Yenser was being hired for the wrong set of reasons. As it turns out, Yenser was not the right hire for the OL. Contrary to popular belief, we are not lacking in OL talent. We are lacking OL development and assignment soundness. That is Yenser's direct responsibility. But Scangarello is the OC. When it comes to fixing the offense, that is the OC's responsibility. I have seen very little progress. This cannot continue.
Scangarello has a multiyear contract with UK. That means his contract would have to be bought out. Stoops makes the personnel decisions, but Barnhart and the Board Committee on Athletics would have to support a buyout. Under these circumstances, they will support Stoops unconditionally if he decides on a change. Barnhart may even push for a change, if necessary.
I could certainly get surprised, but I just cannot see Scangarello or Yenser being brought back in 2023. I can't see how Stoops can afford to bring them back, because this ineffective offensive performance has to be punctuated with changes. Having so many annual changes on the offensive coaching staff is another kind of problem, undoubtedly affecting player development, but Stoops will have to make more effective hiring decisions this time. In my November 20 post on the following link, I discussed some possible coaching replacements that make a lot of sense. Obviously, I cannot predict what Stoops will actually do.
kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/at-2022-seasons-midpoint-selected-issues-to-examine.376047/page-2
And to WV. And to UC. We never had Calhoun, so we could not lose him. But we have Avery Stuart, Jaremiah Anglin, and Ty Bryant. That is a strong DB class, and Stoops is still trying to flip Ja'Keem Jackson. I have seen discussions of Afari moving from nickel to CB.
After the success of Keidron Smith and Kelvin Joseph, I expect Stoops to take another CB from the portal. It is not an absolute necessity, but I think it would be a very good idea.
When I think of how many needs have to be addressed through the portal, it is almost mind boggling. Better get the coaching staff straightened out at the first viable chance.
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Another CB that they're supposedly trying to get in with is amare Snowden. Just decommitted from UC. We may have finished 2nd the 1st go rd
It is too early to make a good guess where Snowden will look next. Fickell will take some of these players with him to WI. But UK has recruited Snowden hard in the past.
UC has to make a hire quickly, and make a splash. Otherwise their 2023 recruiting class will come unglued. I will be surprised if Stoops doesn't get at least 1-2 flips from UC. But it's late in the recruiting season, and I'm sure Stoops and Marrow have very specific ideas now about how to spend their small number of remaining scholarships.
Right. There are 3-4 UC decommits that would be interesting
Jr mentioned 3 today. Snowden, Hewlitt, and Khamari Anderson. Listing the best recruit with biggest need: 1) Burns 2) Snowden 3) Hewlett 4) Anderson. I know during the initial recruitment Vince loved Anderson. I listed him 4 because TE is a lower need. Burns is a big DE would fill a def need Snowden is a good CB and would be a major finish to a good DB class. Hewlett is prob UM bound but is a good OLB recruit similar to Arvell Reese.
Snowden will have several schools interested. Some may be full so we could have a decent chance. Burns was one of UK'S priorities at DE and we prob finished 2nd. He hasn't decommitted yet. The best chance would prob be Anderson if still interested. Burns. Snowden, then Hewlett
It seems like recruits that are really interested in UC are NEVER really interested in UK almost as a rule. I've been baffled by that for years.
I get that people in Ohio generally don't like people or things from Kentucky. I don't know if it's a chip on their shoulder thing or what, but the further from the great lakes you go, the bigger that resentment grows. It's really weird.
We're either on their list early with intense interest or none whatsoever. Might as well be Louisville or Indianapolis.
I get that people in Ohio generally don't like people or things from Kentucky. I don't know if it's a chip on their shoulder thing or what, but the further from the great lakes you go, the bigger that resentment grows. It's really weird.
We're either on their list early with intense interest or none whatsoever. Might as well be Louisville or Indianapolis.
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Will add Gilbert was on campus all weekend and had a great visit. That may play a factor on if they go after Burns. Time will also be a factor. Keenum was on campus this weekend also and it seemed to also go well. UK is in a better place with him and may be able to hold on there, which would be huge
As discussed and predicted here earlier, Rich Scangarello is now out as UK's OC. As I shared, I think Stoops had to do this, and had to do it quickly. I suspect Yenser will be next. Stoops needs to signal change, and he needs to give our players and others who are considering UK a vision of what will happen this spring and next fall. Although getting it right is more important than doing it quickly, it is also time sensitive because of the recruiting class and the transfer portal.
FWIW Demetrius Bell has received two more future casts to UK this week
We need more o linemen in this class, and D linemen it's all about the trenches next year.
They may flip Gilbert he was here last weekend. The only OL they appear to still be recruiting is woo Spencer and he's about to take his OV this month. He will most likely be the only one they add thru HS. They will try to add another thru the portal
Need to add 2 OTs from portal and have Horsey come back to play guard too me.
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