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State of 2023 Recruiting

Rembrandt90 said:
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.
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I really agree with big Ox losing too much weight. The man was a beast before he suffered his injury against LSU and I’m sure he was told to be in better shape, lighter and all that. At times he looked overpowered this year and that had to mess with his confidence just a bit because I doubt thats happened very much in his life. Lol. Even if it’s at the loss of minutes for another guy he needs to get back to the LSU game Ox this season in my opinion, if he can, he could become a first team All American and help our defense be the best we’ve seen in a long time. All my personal opinions of course here but I think if we’re all healthy next season, can stay healthy and have the backfield do a decent job, we’re going to be scary for a lot of programs. Thanks again Rembrandt for taking the time you do buddy. A lot here really do appreciate it
 
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trueblujr2 said:
Update on my nephew Kellan. He had an in-home visit with the Special Teams coach from Miami Ohio. He was a leading candidate for Purdue. They were deciding between him and another kicker after the signing period, but he was the odds on favorite. (Not sure if that was for a PWO or scholarship) With the latest developments, I'm not sure if Purdue will still be an option. He's been recruited by Louisville, but he hasn't expressed an interest in going there. I'm not sure if the Brohm move will change that. UK's interest has been disappointing, despite his best efforts to gain their attention. He's an elite level kicker as good as any P5 kicker out there.

Back to the Miami OH in-home visit. They had already offered him a PWO. They told him they want him to come in and compete t be the kickoff specialist next year. Their current Kicker will be a junior. He's a decent FG kicker but less than 50% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. If Kellan earns the starting kickoff specialist job he would earn a scholarship, with the plan he would take over FG's as well after the other guy graduates. So it's a pretty good offer for a kicker and he really likes the coach from there. Honestly I hope he doesn't rush a decision, I personally think he can land at a bigger fish, but he has to do what's best for him and go where he feels comfortable. Plus there's always the transfer portal if he thinks he can do better.
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I really hope the young man can get to Kentucky if that’s what he really wants. Mostly for you. Lol. Best of luck to him and his future though, no matter where he ends up, he can make it worth wild on the field and do great things. Thanks buddy.
 
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trueblujr2 said:
Update on my nephew Kellan. He had an in-home visit with the Special Teams coach from Miami Ohio. He was a leading candidate for Purdue. They were deciding between him and another kicker after the signing period, but he was the odds on favorite. (Not sure if that was for a PWO or scholarship) With the latest developments, I'm not sure if Purdue will still be an option. He's been recruited by Louisville, but he hasn't expressed an interest in going there. I'm not sure if the Brohm move will change that. UK's interest has been disappointing, despite his best efforts to gain their attention. He's an elite level kicker as good as any P5 kicker out there.

Back to the Miami OH in-home visit. They had already offered him a PWO. They told him they want him to come in and compete t be the kickoff specialist next year. Their current Kicker will be a junior. He's a decent FG kicker but less than 50% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. If Kellan earns the starting kickoff specialist job he would earn a scholarship, with the plan he would take over FG's as well after the other guy graduates. So it's a pretty good offer for a kicker and he really likes the coach from there. Honestly I hope he doesn't rush a decision, I personally think he can land at a bigger fish, but he has to do what's best for him and go where he feels comfortable. Plus there's always the transfer portal if he thinks he can do better.
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Miami OH is an excellent school and beautiful campus. You can get to the league from there as well. No reason to think there's really such a thing as a "bigger fish" as a kicker. I'm guessing he'll get more experience as a FG kicker there than he will at an SEC school. Possibly less risk of injury as well.

Had a friend of a friend that was a kicker in MVC many years ago and loved it. Had a decent shot at the pros, too, but wanted to travel the world instead... he was a little different

Really hope he doesn't waste the scholarship opportunity to prove himself to a coaching staff that doesn't seem to want him. I've been there and it sucks. As we've seen over the past 20 years, some players cannot get out of a coach's doghouse/blindspot once they get put there. Won't matter their talent level if that coach can put someone else in that fits their ideology or bias for the role.

Maybe things will change with UK, but you take what is given first. I wish the best for him
 
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bigbluedon said:
Sorry it didn’t work out for Kellan. He is a very good kicker. Stoops is hard to figure out at times.
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Thanks, we all wished it would have worked out for him to be a Cat, but he has a couple of good options or possibilities and he will do what’s best for him. That being said. I didn’t mean any slight to Degraff. I’m a UK fan and wish the best for him and will cheer him on 100% to succeed because we will need him and/or Smith to do just that. I’ll just hope there never comes a time when it comes down to Kellan’s leg to beat us.
 
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JASUN74 said:
I really hope the young man can get to Kentucky if that’s what he really wants. Mostly for you. Lol. Best of luck to him and his future though, no matter where he ends up, he can make it worth wild on the field and do great things. Thanks buddy.
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I hope so one day as well, but at this point it’s unlikely with Degraff now coming in. I think the plan next year is for Degraff to do kickoffs and Smith to do field goals. Just my guess. Kellan will do well wherever he goes. He has a good head on his shoulders and I will follow him closely.
 
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Girthang said:
Miami OH is an excellent school and beautiful campus. You can get to the league from there as well. No reason to think there's really such a thing as a "bigger fish" as a kicker. I'm guessing he'll get more experience as a FG kicker there than he will at an SEC school. Possibly less risk of injury as well.

Had a friend of a friend that was a kicker in MVC many years ago and loved it. Had a decent shot at the pros, too, but wanted to travel the world instead... he was a little different

Really hope he doesn't waste the scholarship opportunity to prove himself to a coaching staff that doesn't seem to want him. I've been there and it sucks. As we've seen over the past 20 years, some players cannot get out of a coach's doghouse/blindspot once they get put there. Won't matter their talent level if that coach can put someone else in that fits their ideology or bias for the role.

Maybe things will change with UK, but you take what is given first. I wish the best for him
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They seem to really like the coach there. Have to think they’re the favorite at this point. He liked his visit to Cincinnati too before the coaching change so they may also be an option.
 
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Haven't seen anything on the HS visits but it appears LT Cox had a great visit and hopefully will be committing soon. Also JQ Hardaway appears to have taken an OV according ro his Instagram. That would help at CB especially if Valentine opts for the draft
 
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trueblujr2 said:
I hope so one day as well, but at this point it’s unlikely with Degraff now coming in. I think the plan next year is for Degraff to do kickoffs and Smith to do field goals. Just my guess. Kellan will do well wherever he goes. He has a good head on his shoulders and I will follow him closely.
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I think Degraff may also be our backup punter? Idk if that’s why he was chosen.
 
We are next to last in SEC recruiting, only Auburn is below us and that won't last. Why don't we have more players committed, we have been having good seasons and are currently 13th?
 
katwest said:
We are next to last in SEC recruiting, only Auburn is below us and that won't last. Why don't we have more players committed, we have been having good seasons and are currently 13th?
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If things shake out, we could possibly be 20-25 and middle pack of the SEC. We only have 14 commits but our star average is 3.36 which is #22 just ahead of South Carolina and right behind Tenn with a 3.4. We have five 4* guys with maybe 2-3 (or more) who could pop anytime. Quality vs quantity at this point and fill in the holes from the portal.
 
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bluecoon1 said:
If things shake out, we could possibly be 20-25 and middle pack of the SEC. We only have 14 commits but our star average is 3.36 which is #22 just ahead of South Carolina and right behind Tenn with a 3.4. We have five 4* guys with maybe 2-3 (or more) who could pop anytime. Quality vs quantity at this point and fill in the holes from the portal.
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True, patience is the word of the day.
 
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JASUN74 said:
I really agree with big Ox losing too much weight. The man was a beast before he suffered his injury against LSU and I’m sure he was told to be in better shape, lighter and all that. At times he looked overpowered this year and that had to mess with his confidence just a bit because I doubt thats happened very much in his life. Lol. Even if it’s at the loss of minutes for another guy he needs to get back to the LSU game Ox this season in my opinion, if he can, he could become a first team All American and help our defense be the best we’ve seen in a long time. All my personal opinions of course here but I think if we’re all healthy next season, can stay healthy and have the backfield do a decent job, we’re going to be scary for a lot of programs. Thanks again Rembrandt for taking the time you do buddy. A lot here really do appreciate it
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Having him back in form would be huge and big key for next sure.
 
Reports this morning are saying Khamari Anderson has committed to UK. Anderson, a highly recruited TE from Detroit, visited UK over the weekend. Anderson is an athletic inline TE who can block and catch. He is also projectable as an OLB. He was formerly committed to UC before Fickell departed.

UK's current 2023 class-

Nasir Addison, ATH, Irvington, NJ
Khamari Anderson, TE/LB, Detroit, MI
Jaremiah Anglin, DB, Lake Wales, FL
Ardell Banks, WR, Massillon, OH
Anthony Brown, slotR, Springfield, OH
Ty Bryant, DB, Lexington, KY
Jakob Dixon, WR, Louisville, KY
Grant Godfrey, LB, Suwanee, GA
Koby Keenum, OL, Florence, AL
Tanner Lemaster, TE, Washington CH, OH
Shamar Porter, WR, Nashville, TN
Austin Ramsey, OL Philadelphia, PA
Avery Stuart, DB, Montgomery, AL
Malachi Wood, OL, Richmond, KY
Tommy Ziesmer, LB, Danville, KY

I anticipate the next two weeks will be very active for commitments from hs seniors and from the portal. FWIW UK holds new crystal ball predictions for former Vandy RB Ray Davis, former N IL LT Marques Cox, and Douglasville hs RB Jamarion Wilcox. There are also some new reports that Winton Woods hs RB Trey Cornist may be a UK leaner now. A huge name to watch is edge LB Rico Walker from Hickory, NC, a widely recruited player who just completed his official visit to UK.

Nothing new today with regards to QB recruiting news, but there is every reason to believe Stoops and Liam Coen are hard at work on this. We don't necessarily need to take a QB before the end of the spring semester, but that would be optimal for sure. FWIW, Will Levis was a summer enrollee.
 
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Rembrandt90 said:
Reports this morning are saying Khamari Anderson has committed to UK. Anderson, a highly recruited TE from Detroit, visited UK over the weekend. Anderson is an athletic inline TE who can block and catch. He is also projectable as an OLB. He was formerly committed to UC before Fickell departed.

UK's current 2023 class-

Nasir Addison, ATH, Irvington, NJ
Khamari Anderson, TE/LB, Detroit, MI
Jaremiah Anglin, DB, Lake Wales, FL
Ardell Banks, WR, Massillon, OH
Anthony Brown, slotR, Springfield, OH
Ty Bryant, DB, Lexington, KY
Jakob Dixon, WR, Louisville, KY
Grant Godfrey, LB, Suwanee, GA
Koby Keenum, OL, Florence, AL
Tanner Lemaster, TE, Washington CH, OH
Shamar Porter, WR, Nashville, TN
Austin Ramsey, OL Philadelphia, PA
Avery Stuart, DB, Montgomery, AL
Malachi Wood, OL, Richmond, KY
Tommy Ziesmer, LB, Danville, KY

I anticipate the next two weeks will be very active for commitments from hs seniors and from the portal. FWIW UK holds new crystal ball predictions for former Vandy RB Ray Davis, former N IL LT Marques Cox, and Douglasville hs RB Jamarion Wilcox. There are also some new reports that Winton Woods hs RB Trey Cornist may be a UK leaner now.
Click to expand...

That would be an incredible thing to see, if those predictions hold true
 
Rembrandt90 said:
Reports this morning are saying Khamari Anderson has committed to UK. Anderson, a highly recruited TE from Detroit, visited UK over the weekend. Anderson is an athletic inline TE who can block and catch. He is also projectable as an OLB. He was formerly committed to UC before Fickell departed.

UK's current 2023 class-

Nasir Addison, ATH, Irvington, NJ
Khamari Anderson, TE/LB, Detroit, MI
Jaremiah Anglin, DB, Lake Wales, FL
Ardell Banks, WR, Massillon, OH
Anthony Brown, slotR, Springfield, OH
Ty Bryant, DB, Lexington, KY
Jakob Dixon, WR, Louisville, KY
Grant Godfrey, LB, Suwanee, GA
Koby Keenum, OL, Florence, AL
Tanner Lemaster, TE, Washington CH, OH
Shamar Porter, WR, Nashville, TN
Austin Ramsey, OL Philadelphia, PA
Avery Stuart, DB, Montgomery, AL
Malachi Wood, OL, Richmond, KY
Tommy Ziesmer, LB, Danville, KY

I anticipate the next two weeks will be very active for commitments from hs seniors and from the portal. FWIW UK holds new crystal ball predictions for former Vandy RB Ray Davis, former N IL LT Marques Cox, and Douglasville hs RB Jamarion Wilcox. There are also some new reports that Winton Woods hs RB Trey Cornist may be a UK leaner now. A huge name to watch is edge LB Rico Walker from Hickory, NC, a widely recruited player who just completed his official visit to UK.

Nothing new today with regards to QB recruiting news, but there is every reason to believe Stoops and Liam Coen are hard at work on this. We don't necessarily need to take a QB before the end of the spring semester, but that would be optimal for sure. FWIW, Will Levis was a summer enrollee.
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Brian Dohn reported this morning that UK has reached out to former NC state qb Devin Leary. It seems this is Coen's top guy at QB. Mertz is still high on there list and visited UF this weekend
 
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Bereacat420 said:
Brian Dohn reported this morning that UK has reached out to former NC state qb Devin Leary. It seems this is Coen's top guy at QB. Mertz is still high on there list and visited UF this weekend
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There is a report this afternoon that Leary will visit UK tomorrow. No doubt a result of Coen's involvement. Things sure happen fast this time of year.
 
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bluecoon1 said:
I think Degraff may also be our backup punter? Idk if that’s why he was chosen.
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I think Wilson Berry will likely be the clubhouse leader as the punter for next year, but Carter Schwartz from Trinity has also committed. He is a punter only, have to figure he would be #2 behind Berry. Degraff is actually a WR also, so outside shot he may get a look there as well, but feel like he's recruited as a placekicker.
 
bluecoon1 said:
If things shake out, we could possibly be 20-25 and middle pack of the SEC. We only have 14 commits but our star average is 3.36 which is #22 just ahead of South Carolina and right behind Tenn with a 3.4. We have five 4* guys with maybe 2-3 (or more) who could pop anytime. Quality vs quantity at this point and fill in the holes from the portal.
Click to expand...
Sometimes the rankings have more to do with quantity than quality. Looking like we will close the class out solidly. Have to kill it in the transfer portal too though.
 
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