State of 2026 Recruiting

[Rembrandt90]

I don't necessarily believe UK's coaches are getting close yet to getting the first commitment in their 2026 class. But they have already given out a bunch of 2026 scholarship offers (see below), and we are getting into the early part of a time frame when the first 2026 commitment could happen. In any case, there are a lot of legitimate 2026 prospects for us to discuss on a new thread.

Here is a list of 2026 prospects known based on public information to have received UK offers. This is surely not a complete list. It is way too early to know where any of these players will end up. Just starting the conversation here.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam, LB, Powder Springs, GA
Tre Aiken, OL, Clinton, SC
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairburn, GA
Adam Balogoum-Ali, LB, N Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Kamari Blair, DL, Clarksville, TN
Javar Bowden, ATH, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, ATH, Hollywood, FL
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Ace Brown, ATH, Akron, OH
Bryshawn Brown, QB, Cincinnati, OH
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Daniel Burns, OL, Montgomery, AL
Naeem Burroughs, ATH, Jacksonville, FL
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Devin Carter, WR, Ellenwood, GA
Jordan Carter, LB, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charleton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Vodney Cleveland, DL, Prattville, AL
William Conroy, OL, Cleveland, OH
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
J'Zavien Currence, LB, Rock Hill, SC
Markel Dabney, ATH, Richmond, VA
Marquez Daniel, ATH, Tuskegee, AL
Kentrell Davis, WR, Birmingham, AL
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Scottland Dover, OL, Gaffney, SC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Jireh Edwards, DB, Baltimore, MD
Zion Elee, LB, Poppa, MD
Justice Fitzpatrick, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Kamdon Gillespie, DL, Mooresville, NC
Darius Gray, OL, Richmond, VA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Aaron Gregory, WR, Douglasville, GA
Xavier Griffin, ATH, Gainesville, GA
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Eli Hamrick, QB, Ashville, NC
Marlon Harbin, ATH, Louisville, KY
Kaden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Keenan Harris, DB, St Louis, MO
Kendre Harrison, TE, Reidsville, NC
George Haseotas, OL, Naples, FL
Calerbe Hermane, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB, Akron, OH
Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR, Edwardsville, IL
Savion Hiter, RB, Mineral, VA
Elijah Hutchinson, OL, Roanoke, VA
Michael Ionata, OL, Clearwater, FL
Brody Jennings, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Anthony Jones, LB, Mobile, AL
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Pike Road, AL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Sean Johnson DB, Severn, MD
Chauncey Kennon, DB, Sarasota, FL
Heze Kent, TE, Brunswick, GA
Tyreek King, ATH, Knoxville, TN
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Robert Lathon, RB, Columbus, OH
Amari Latimer, ATH, Tyrone, GA
Zion Legree, ATH, Pensacola, FL
Ronald Lunz, ATH, Ratcliff, KY
Justin Lyles, DB, Cincinnati, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Baton Rouge, LA
Samari Matthews, ATH, Cornelius, NC
Dylan McCoy, RB, Buford, GA
Iverson McCoy, ATH, Tupelo, MS
JaReylan McCoy, DL, Tupelo, MS
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Jesiyah Miguel, DB, FT Lauderdale, FL
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
James Morrow, LB, Buford, GA
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Chris Newell, ATH, Cleveland, OH
Daniel Norman, LB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Javian Osborne, RB, Forney, TX
Gabriel Osenda, OL, Chattanooga, TN
Zantreacs Otey, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jamar Owens, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Andre Parker, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, ATH, Buford, GA
Eli Pietrowski, ATH, Corbin, KY
Kaiden Prothro, LB, Bowdon, GA
Dawson Quarterman, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Maxwell Riley, OL, Avon Lake, OH
Bryce Robinson, LB, Marietta, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB, Orange Park, FL
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
Keeyshawn Schneider, WR, Chattanooga, TN
JB Shabazz, OL, Winston Salem, NC
CJ Sibley, DB, Buford, GA
Derrick Singletary, LB, Middletown, OH
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Chaston Smith, DB, Knoxville, TN
Javonte Smith, WR, Jackson, TN
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
KD Smith, ATH, Charlotte, NC
Carson Sneed, ATH, Nashville, TN
Dylan Steen, OL, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, ATH, Lagrange, GA
Aaryn Tate, ATH, McLeansville, NC
Malachi Taylor ATH, Pickerington, OH
Cam Thomas, ATH, W Chester, OH
Camron Thompson, OL, Savannah, GA
Xavier Tiller, ATH, Fairburn, GA
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jordan Vann, ATH, Middletown, OH
Marcello Vitti, ATH, Dearborn, MI
Jeff Ward, WR, Cleveland, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN
Jontavius Wyman, ATH, Jonesboro, GA

 

[The-Hack]

In any case, there are a lot of legitimate 2026 prospects for us to discuss on a new thread.

Wow.

134 names if I counted correctly.

The list seems bigger than those that have begun your similar annual threads.

How do you find the time?

 

[vhcat70]

^ He has a 10-person staff.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Wow.

134 names if I counted correctly.

The list seems bigger than those that have begun your similar annual threads.

How do you find the time?

It doesn't take very long if you know where to look for information. Nobody else except Bereacat seems to be posting very much substantive information about recruiting, so I think it needs to be done. Also, this is a free board, and I really don't believe our fans should have to pay for this.

 

[Uncle Adolph]

I don't necessarily believe UK's coaches are getting close yet to getting the first commitment in their 2026 class. But they have already given out a bunch of 2026 scholarship offers (see below), and we are getting into the early part of a time frame when the first 2026 commitment could happen. In any case, there are a lot of legitimate 2026 prospects for us to discuss on a new thread.

Here is a list of 2026 prospects known based on public information to have received UK offers. This is surely not a complete list. It is way too early to know where any of these players will end up. Just starting the conversation here.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam, LB, Powder Springs, GA
Tre Aiken, OL, Clinton, SC
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairburn, GA
Adam Balogoum-Ali, LB, N Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Kamari Blair, DL, Clarksville, TN
Javar Bowden, ATH, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, ATH, Hollywood, FL
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Ace Brown, ATH, Akron, OH
Bryshawn Brown, QB, Cincinnati, OH
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Daniel Burns, OL, Montgomery, AL
Naeem Burroughs, ATH, Jacksonville, FL
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Devin Carter, WR, Ellenwood, GA
Jordan Carter, LB, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charleton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Vodney Cleveland, DL, Prattville, AL
William Conroy, OL, Cleveland, OH
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
J'Zavien Currence, LB, Rock Hill, SC
Markel Dabney, ATH, Richmond, VA
Marquez Daniel, ATH, Tuskegee, AL
Kentrell Davis, WR, Birmingham, AL
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Scottland Dover, OL, Gaffney, SC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Jireh Edwards, DB, Baltimore, MD
Zion Elee, LB, Poppa, MD
Justice Fitzpatrick, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Kamdon Gillespie, DL, Mooresville, NC
Darius Gray, OL, Richmond, VA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Aaron Gregory, WR, Douglasville, GA
Xavier Griffin, ATH, Gainesville, GA
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Eli Hamrick, QB, Ashville, NC
Marlon Harbin, ATH, Louisville, KY
Kaden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Keenan Harris, DB, St Louis, MO
Kendre Harrison, TE, Reidsville, NC
George Haseotas, OL, Naples, FL
Calerbe Hermane, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB, Akron, OH
Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR, Edwardsville, IL
Savion Hiter, RB, Mineral, VA
Elijah Hutchinson, OL, Roanoke, VA
Michael Ionata, OL, Clearwater, FL
Brody Jennings, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Anthony Jones, LB, Mobile, AL
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Pike Road, AL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Sean Johnson DB, Severn, MD
Chauncey Kennon, DB, Sarasota, FL
Heze Kent, TE, Brunswick, GA
Tyreek King, ATH, Knoxville, TN
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Robert Lathon, RB, Columbus, OH
Amari Latimer, ATH, Tyrone, GA
Zion Legree, ATH, Pensacola, FL
Ronald Lunz, ATH, Ratcliff, KY
Justin Lyles, DB, Cincinnati, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Baton Rouge, LA
Samari Matthews, ATH, Cornelius, NC
Dylan McCoy, RB, Buford, GA
Iverson McCoy, ATH, Tupelo, MS
JaReylan McCoy, DL, Tupelo, MS
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Jesiyah Miguel, DB, FT Lauderdale, FL
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
James Morrow, LB, Buford, GA
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Chris Newell, ATH, Cleveland, OH
Daniel Norman, LB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Javian Osborne, RB, Forney, TX
Gabriel Osenda, OL, Chattanooga, TN
Zantreacs Otey, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jamar Owens, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Andre Parker, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, ATH, Buford, GA
Eli Pietrowski, ATH, Corbin, KY
Kaiden Prothro, LB, Bowdon, GA
Dawson Quarterman, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Maxwell Riley, OL, Avon Lake, OH
Bryce Robinson, LB, Marietta, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB, Orange Park, FL
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
Keeyshawn Schneider, WR, Chattanooga, TN
JB Shabazz, OL, Winston Salem, NC
CJ Sibley, DB, Buford, GA
Derrick Singletary, LB, Middletown, OH
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Chaston Smith, DB, Knoxville, TN
Javonte Smith, WR, Jackson, TN
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
KD Smith, ATH, Charlotte, NC
Carson Sneed, ATH, Nashville, TN
Dylan Steen, OL, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, ATH, Lagrange, GA
Aaryn Tate, ATH, McLeansville, NC
Malachi Taylor ATH, Pickerington, OH
Cam Thomas, ATH, W Chester, OH
Camron Thompson, OL, Savannah, GA
Xavier Tiller, ATH, Fairburn, GA
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jordan Vann, ATH, Middletown, OH
Marcello Vitti, ATH, Dearborn, MI
Jeff Ward, WR, Cleveland, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN
Jontavius Wyman, ATH, Jonesboro, GA

Is 26 a down year in the state of KY ?

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

With our need for some OL that the better football programs are recruiting I always look at our state first because of the struggle of getting the highest ranked OL from out of state. Pellman is a 6-3 290 OL from Louisville. He lives across the road from the university and has grown up following UL. So that puts us behind the 8 ball right off. How much us being SEC would off set that I have no idea this early. Jarvis Strickland is a 6-6 295 IOL from Paducah. He was offered by UT in February. We have recruited that area pretty well over the years so I would think that with Marrow and our history we would have a pretty good shot here. Strickland is listed as a four star in some places.

 

[North Carolina Blue Wildcat]

The Cincinnati area is loaded with talent in the 2026 class. I’m all over the kids I personally know about UK. Most of these kids played with or against my kid in AAU and have most recently specialized to football only. Would love to see these kids in blue!

 

[EdgeHD]

What is the over/under on how many pages this thread will get?

 

[Rembrandt90]

Is 26 a down year in the state of KY ?

It's early 2024 now, so there is no way to know that. Too early.

 

[Rembrandt90]

With our need for some OL that the better football programs are recruiting I always look at our state first because of the struggle of getting the highest ranked OL from out of state. Pellman is a 6-3 290 OL from Louisville. He lives across the road from the university and has grown up following UL. So that puts us behind the 8 ball right off. How much us being SEC would off set that I have no idea this early. Jarvis Strickland is a 6-6 295 IOL from Paducah. He was offered by UT in February. We have recruited that area pretty well over the years so I would think that with Marrow and our history we would have a pretty good shot here. Strickland is listed as a four star in some places.

Strickland is the higher priority of the two. Strickland reportedly already holds at least five SEC offers. Strickland is a long OT, Pellman is an OG. As he always does, Coach Wolford will evaluate and recruit linemen from all over the south and midwest.

 

[Rembrandt90]

More 2026 UK offers.

Marlen Bright, OL, Wayne, NJ
Leo Delaney, DL/OL, Charlotte, NC
Logan Hayes, OL, Canton, OH
Terrell Wharton, DB, Akron, OH

 

[Rembrandt90]

More new 2026 UK offers.

Maddox Cochrane, OL, Richmond, VA
Benjamin Corhei, OL, Valdosta, GA
Lasiah Jackson, DB, Leesburg, GA
Elijah Littlejohn, LB, W Charlotte, NC
Zaiden McDonald, ATH, Newark, NJ
Ben Nichols, OL, Davison, MI
Jordan Smith, DB, Warner Robins, GA
Jamarcus Whyce, DL, Dayton, OH

 

[satcheluk]

What is the over/under on how many pages this thread will get?

I'll say 33

 

[The-Hack]

What is the over/under on how many pages this thread will get?

At a quick glance, the ‘22 thread and the ‘24 thread each went 58 pages.

Those were frequently peppered with arguments that Rembrandt90 tried to discouraged, and alternatively actually sort-of encouraged . . . .

We seem to be posting about at a 20 percent reduction from just a few years ago, and I am older and less argumentative/talkative, so I’m going with 48 pages, give or take a page with Grumpyolddawg adding a page or two much to Rembrandt90’s chagrin!!

 

[Rembrandt90]

At a quick glance, the ‘22 thread and the ‘24 thread each went 58 pages.

Those were frequently peppered with arguments that Rembrandt90 tried to discouraged, and alternatively actually sort-of encouraged . . . .

We seem to be posting about at a 20 percent reduction from just a few years ago, and I am older and less argumentative/talkative, so I’m going with 48 pages, give or take a page with Grumpyolddawg adding a page or two much to Rembrandt90’s chagrin!!

Really? I fail to understand what is so controversial about a thread for UK's recruiting class. It couldn't be more straightforward. Most websites try to take your money for this information. I am trying my best to compile what I can for free, so readers will have access to what I learn. When I am attacked, I reserve the opportunity to respond.
When the thread gets distracted away from the subject of UK recruiting, I try to guide it back on track. If you don't like the way I do it, that's up to you. But if you are going to read it, just save the cheap shots for other threads. I never take shots at you. Seriously.

 

[Rembrandt90]

The Cincinnati area is loaded with talent in the 2026 class. I’m all over the kids I personally know about UK. Most of these kids played with or against my kid in AAU and have most recently specialized to football only. Would love to see these kids in blue!

I would probably have to say that the single most important change in UK football recruiting over the last 2-3 classes has been the growing strength of Coach Marrow's recruiting footprint in the greater Cincinnati area. Eight players from the greater Cincinnati area are on UK's 2024 roster, with more coming in 2025. Tucker Kattus and Quintin Simmons are already committed to our 2025 class, and there will be more commitments from Cincinnati.

One other thing. There is a narrative circulating out there that signing hs players is becoming less important for UK's coaches than getting players out of the portal. For 2024, we can currently project 7-8 UK starters who came to Lexington through the portal versus 14-15 signed and developed 100% by UK's coaching staff. Make of that whatever you will, but I believe our coaching staff's growing cultivation of hs prospects in MI, OH, GA, and FL is more important than the portal. It's one thing to take a placekicker or a punter out of the portal. But when it comes to building an OL or a DL, or putting together an SEC secondary, give me the hs prospects who can be developed inside our program for 5 years. What I like about Cincinnati, aside from the fact that it is the closest major metropolitan area to Lexington, is that the quality of hs competition up there is so good.

 

[The-Hack]

If you don't like the way I do it, that's up to you. But if you are going to read it, just save the cheap shots for other threads. I never take shots at you. Seriously.

Just firing up those highly-literate, competitive juices, Rembrandt90!!

Carry On, Good Sir, Carry On!!

 

[North Carolina Blue Wildcat]

I would probably have to say that the single most important change in UK football recruiting over the last 2-3 classes has been the growing strength of Coach Marrow's recruiting footprint in the greater Cincinnati area. Eight players from the greater Cincinnati area are on UK's 2024 roster, with more coming in 2025. Tucker Kattus and Quintin Simmons are already committed to our 2025 class, and there will be more commitments from Cincinnati.

One other thing. There is a narrative circulating out there that signing hs players is becoming less important for UK's coaches than getting players out of the portal. For 2024, we can currently project 7-8 UK starters who came to Lexington through the portal versus 14-15 signed and developed 100% by UK's coaching staff. Make of that whatever you will, but I believe our coaching staff's growing cultivation of hs prospects in MI, OH, GA, and FL is more important than the portal. It's one thing to take a placekicker or a punter out of the portal. But when it comes to building an OL or a DL, or putting together an SEC secondary, give me the hs prospects who can be developed inside our program for 5 years. What I like about Cincinnati, aside from the fact that it is the closest major metropolitan area to Lexington, is that the quality of hs competition up there is so good.

This area is absolutely loaded with talent. The Greater Catholic League, GWOC, and GMC all have big time talent in then. There are 2026 kids with 20+ offers now and all from P5 schools. St. X and Moeller kids are getting offers nationwide.

 

[vhcat70]

This area is absolutely loaded with talent. The Greater Catholic League, GWOC, and GMC all have big time talent in then. There are 2026 kids with 20+ offers now and all from P5 schools. St. X and Moeller kids are getting offers nationwide.

I don't think there's anything the least bit new about the talent there ("Here" for me.). What's different is UK so actively trying to get & getting a decent piece of it. Never understood why in the previous 60 years to Stoops & Marrow that we never much tried. Seemed a "what's the use" attitude existed for whatever reasons. Admittedly ND dominance with the Catholic schools was much strongly previously.

UK football could have a much different & better history if we tried harder back then.

 

[mrschwump]

I don't think there's anything the least bit new about the talent there ("Here" for me.). What's different is UK so actively trying to get & getting a decent piece of it. Never understood why in the previous 60 years to Stoops & Marrow that we never much tried. Seemed a "what's the use" attitude existed for whatever reasons. Admittedly ND dominance with the Catholic schools was much strongly previously.

UK football could have a much different & better history if we tried harder back then.

Curci made a concerted effort to recruit Cincy but never had much luck. He told stories about making visits to local prospects only to find the parish priest sitting in the living room. Said he knew then UK was only a long shot.

 

[vhcat70]

Curci made a concerted effort to recruit Cincy but never had much luck. He told stories about making visits to local prospects only to find the parish priest sitting in the living room. Said he knew then UK was only a long shot.

As I said, that's changed. I don't know what his "concerted" was vs. Marrow's "concerted". I liked Curci, cheatin & all.

 

[mrschwump]

As I said, that's changed. I don't know what his "concerted" was vs. Marrow's "concerted". I liked Curci, cheatin & all.

It was said at the time that Curci took on Cincy recruiting himself. He was a solid recruiter but couldn't break through the parochial wall around Cincy Catholic HSs despite himself being Catholic. Things have changed somewhat since then. At that time ND took who they wanted, again with strong assistance from the Catholic church, and Big 10 schools took leftovers. UK, the new kid on the block, couldn't kick down the door.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Just firing up those highly-literate, competitive juices, Rembrandt90!!

Carry On, Good Sir, Carry On!!

Just be careful that we don't decide to fire up your competitive juices.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I liked Curci, cheatin & all.

This is problematic. Cheating got previous UK coaches and ADs in a lot of trouble, not to mention that our school was one step away from the NCAA's death penalty. We very nearly became the second NCAA school to receive the death penalty, which means shutting down the athletics department for a couple of years. SMU has never fully recovered from the death penalty.

It has been said that the ethical fan knows we should not cheat, while the moral fan simply doesn't want us to cheat. That's the difference. There are many reasons not to cheat. The threat of sanctions is one. The moral reason is simpler. What good is a win if you need to cheat to get it? The practical reason is even simpler. If one loves UK sports, why would one want to risk losing our entire athletics department? It is disappointing that some fans seem to feel cheating is okay because "everyone does it", when the actual evidence says it's just the known scumbag schools like TN, Auburn, Clemson, SoCal, UL, and so forth. Is that what we want for UK?

 

[Rembrandt90]

More new 2026 offers.

Kevin Brown, OL, Harrisburg, PA
Elias Coke, WR, Harrisburg, PA
Joel Ervin, OL, Ft Myers, FL
Caleb Jacobs, OL, Ironton, OH
Jack Janda, TE, Orchard Lake, MI
Tyler Merrill, OL, Mechanicsburg, PA
Messiah Mickens, ATH, Camp Hill, PA
Kai Pritchard, OL, Toms River, NJ
Travis Robertson, OL, Bloomfield, MI
Amari Sabb, slotR, Glassboro, NJ
Luke Wafle, LB, Princeton, NJ

 

[Rembrandt90]

I don't think there's anything the least bit new about the talent there ("Here" for me.). What's different is UK so actively trying to get & getting a decent piece of it. Never understood why in the previous 60 years to Stoops & Marrow that we never much tried. Seemed a "what's the use" attitude existed for whatever reasons. Admittedly ND dominance with the Catholic schools was much strongly previously.

UK football could have a much different & better history if we tried harder back then.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you discuss the current importance of recruiting the Cincinnati area for Stoops' program. It's the closest major metropolitan area to Lexington, and the quality of hs competition in that area is strong. It seems that potentially important signings from the Cincinnati area are steadily increasing for Stoops and Marrow over time. And that includes the suburbs and smaller urban municipalities of northern KY (Selm, Rodriguez). Coach Marrow has been grinding in Cincinnati for years and it is working for us. As the recruiting energy formerly spent in Jefferson Co is now recognized largely as a relative waste of resources, more recruiting resources are now being redeployed to adjacent metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, St Louis, and Nashville. Even Columbus, Richmond, Detroit, Philly, Indy, and Charlotte now. Cincinnati being the most important because of its proximity.

Where I think you are missing the bigger picture is your narrative that previous UK coaches didn't try to recruit Cincinnati. In reality, there have been players from the Cincinnati area throughout UK history. I could list some of them, but that information is freely available. If you are a UK coach, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to see the proximity of Cincinnati.

But Stoops and Marrow are OH natives. And their timing has been fortuitous. Local TV and newspaper coverage of sports inside OH (and elsewhere) has given way to national network and online coverage. Your average OH kid is much more aware now of college athletics outside the B10. In the golden age of the SEC, concurrent with dominance of satellite and streaming TV coverage of college football, B10 control of recruiting in OH has loosened up while Stoops has continued to press for players from his home state. We don't have to discount the efforts of prior UK coaches to recognize that Stoops has simply been much more effective at recruiting in adjacent states, especially his own home state. I think the desire has always been there, but Stoops for a lot of reasons is simply in a better position to recruit in OH. Let's not forget that Mitch Barnhart is one of those reasons. Barnhart has continued to grow Stoops' recruiting budget, renovate our football facilities, and support Stoops' development of a staff with stronger recruiting connections. Some here have stubbornly refused to attribute due credit to Barnhart, but facts can sometimes be inconvenient.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Who will be UK's first 2026 commitment? IDK, but chances seem pretty good it will be another addition from southwestern OH.

 

[megablue]

Who will be UK's first 2026 commitment? IDK, but chances seem pretty good it will be another addition from southwestern OH.

Probably a TE, too.

 

[bluecoon1]

More new 2026 UK offers.

Maddox Cochrane, OL, Richmond, VA
Benjamin Corhei, OL, Valdosta, GA
Lasiah Jackson, DB, Leesburg, GA
Elijah Littlejohn, LB, W Charlotte, NC
Zaiden McDonald, ATH, Newark, NJ
Ben Nichols, OL, Davison, MI
Jordan Smith, DB, Warner Robins, GA
Jamarcus Whyce, DL, Dayton, OH

I like to see how far we’ve opened our territory for o-line recruiting. Also, it would be great if we could ever start consistently tapping VA as there’s tons of talent throughout the state, particularly NOVA and the Tidewater area. I think it was David Jones? that played here who was from VA Beach and returned to coach HS football in the area, always thought that would have been a great time to establish some relationships.

 

[The-Hack]

I think it was David Jones? that played here who was from VA Beach and returned to coach HS football in the area, always thought that would have been a great time to establish some relationships.

I think David Jones (KO return opening 2nd half against E. Carolina, 2008 Liberty Bowl), was from deep in Eastern Kentucky . . . maybe Hazard or Harlan.



If he is VA coaching, that would be a strong connection, though.

 

[mrschwump]

I like to see how far we’ve opened our territory for o-line recruiting. Also, it would be great if we could ever start consistently tapping VA as there’s tons of talent throughout the state, particularly NOVA and the Tidewater area. I think it was David Jones? that played here who was from VA Beach and returned to coach HS football in the area, always thought that would have been a great time to establish some relationships.

Beamer the First tied up Tidewater for years, probably only Penn St could blast somebody out of there every now and then but Beamer pretty much shut the door. You're right, lots of talent there.

 

[bluecoon1]

I think David Jones (KO return opening 2nd half against E. Carolina, 2008 Liberty Bowl), was from deep in Eastern Kentucky . . . maybe Hazard or Harlan.

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If he is VA coaching, that would be a strong connection, though.

That guy was from Belfy, think he’s coaching in WV. There was another guy that played back in the 80’s that coached in VA Beach, I probably have names mixed up. Ahhh, it was David Johnson.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I like to see how far we’ve opened our territory for o-line recruiting. Also, it would be great if we could ever start consistently tapping VA as there’s tons of talent throughout the state, particularly NOVA and the Tidewater area. I think it was David Jones? that played here who was from VA Beach and returned to coach HS football in the area, always thought that would have been a great time to establish some relationships.

Since Coach White got here, UK's staff has actively recruited in VA. The addition of Coach Shorts is increasing this by another magnitude. If you take a look at the list of 2026 prospects I included in the OP of this thread, quite a few are from VA.

However, AFAIK, RJ Adams is the only scholarship prospect Coach Stoops has signed from the state of VA in recent years. The logistical problems with achieving a recruiting breakthrough in VA are multiple, and several of them have already been discussed here. In fact, most SEC programs have had only limited recruiting success at best inside VA. You would think SCar and GA would be more active there than they have been.

Coach Stoops continues to grow UK's recruiting footprint. Our successes in MI, PA, NJ, AL, and GA are remarkable since those are not adjacent states. But VA is adjacent to KY, sharing our eastern border. If Coach Stoops continues to grow our recruiting footprint, more signings in the adjacent states of VA, IN, MO, and TN seem almost inevitable as long as we hold our own in SEC competition.

 

[mrschwump]

Since Coach White got here, UK's staff has actively recruited in VA. The addition of Coach Shorts is increasing this by another magnitude. If you take a look at the list of 2026 prospects I included in the OP of this thread, quite a few are from VA.

However, AFAIK, RJ Adams is the only scholarship prospect Coach Stoops has signed from the state of VA in recent years. The logistical problems with achieving a recruiting breakthrough in VA are multiple, and several of them have already been discussed here. In fact, most SEC programs have had only limited recruiting success at best inside VA. You would think SCar and GA would be more active there than they have been.

Coach Stoops continues to grow UK's recruiting footprint. Our successes in MI, PA, NJ, AL, and GA are remarkable since those are not adjacent states. But VA is adjacent to KY, sharing our eastern border. If Coach Stoops continues to grow our recruiting footprint, more signings in the adjacent states of VA, IN, MO, and TN seem almost inevitable as long as we hold our own in SEC competition.

Again, Frank Beamer locked up much of VA(especially the Tidewater area), during his tenure at VA Tech. Every now and then Penn St or Ohio St would sneak in and pilfer a prospect or two but to his credit he slammed the door. VA has opened up since Beamer retired, that UK could get into the whole DelMarVa(Josh Paschal's home) area would be a huge plus and would seem like a natural step forward.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Again, Frank Beamer locked up much of VA(especially the Tidewater area), during his tenure at VA Tech. Every now and then Penn St or Ohio St would sneak in and pilfer a prospect or two but to his credit he slammed the door. VA has opened up since Beamer retired, that UK could get into the whole DelMarVa(Josh Paschal's home) area would be a huge plus and would seem like a natural step forward.

I feel confident we will see more football players from the state of VA in future UK classes because of Coach Shorts. I agree with your assessment of Coach Frank Beamer's recruiting impact in VA, although Coach Beamer retired as VA Tech's coach after the 2015 season. That was a long time ago in recruiting terms. In the last several classes, things have been changing. In 2022, 12 of the top 20 prospects in VA signed with SEC programs. In 2023, 11 of their top 20 signed with SEC schools. In 2024, 14 of VA's top 20 signed with SEC teams. Out of those 37 players who signed in the SEC, none even OVed UK. So far in the 2025 class in VA, 6 of VA's top 20 have already verbally committed to SEC teams. Coach Stoops and Coach Marrow seem to think UK can gain a recruiting foothold in VA. As you said, that would be very helpful.

In the meantime, UK's recruiting footprint is also expanding into PA, NJ, IN, NC, MS, MO, and TX. Not to mention south FL. IDK how this will turn out, but it's good to see.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Evan Hampton, RB, Owensboro, KY

Hampton already holds a baseball scholarship offer from UK. After his camp performance, now he holds a football scholarship offer from UK too. Coach Marrow is recruiting him.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Lucas Tielsch, OL, Copley, OH
Owen Winder, OL, Dexter, MI

Tielsch and Winder picked up UK offers yesterday after participating in a UK camp. Both are long OT prospects. Both are are being recruited by Coach Wolford.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Lucas Tielsch, OL, Copley, OH
Owen Winder, OL, Dexter, MI

Tielsch and Winder picked up UK offers yesterday after participating in a UK camp. Both are long OT prospects. Both are are being recruited by Coach Wolford.

Love the number of OL we are going after. Spreading our net much broader than normal.

 

[Rembrandt90]

More new post-camp offers-

Tristen Bozeman, WR, Dayton, OH
Benjamin Eziuka, OL, Detroit, MI
Mason Marden, LB, St Louis, MO

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

More new post-camp offers-

Tristen Bozeman, WR, Dayton, OH
Benjamin Eziuka, OL, Detroit, MI
Mason Marden, LB, St Louis, MO

Eziuka would be a tremendous get. A center at 6-3 320, he excelled at not only run blocking but also pass protecting. Is a wrestler, just a really good athlete at that size with good feet and power.