State of 2026 Recruiting

[mrschwump]

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.

Film I saw of this player he was primarily an OG/OT. Doesn't mean he can't be an OC of course, Drake Jackson was an OG in HS. Nice athlete with much upside.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Film I saw of this player he was primarily an OG/OT. Doesn't mean he can't be an OC of course, Drake Jackson was an OG in HS. Nice athlete with much upside.

Think at our camp Wolford had him at center. He was really impressed with Wolford, his resume and the way he worked him.

 

[mrschwump]

Think at our camp Wolford had him at center. He was really impressed with Wolford, his resume and the way he worked him.

Ezuika has a real nice first step, quick off the ball which is a good attribute for a C. Smart kid too, 4.8 GPA. What's not to like about him?!

 

[Rembrandt90]

Ezuika has a real nice first step, quick off the ball which is a good attribute for a C. Smart kid too, 4.8 GPA. What's not to like about him?!

Nothing. Which explains why he snagged a scholarship offer. LOL.

With little fanfare so far, Coach Wolf is screening a lot of OL prospects and doing everything he possibly can do to sign a couple of back to back impact OL classes. Given the extent to which he evaluates each athlete, he is way beyond online player ratings. He is applying his experience to assess what each of these guys will look like in 2 years. Aside from Tucker Kattus, this is a completely different OL board compared to the board Yenser was recruiting for us.

 

[JC-3]

Nothing. Which explains why he snagged a scholarship offer. LOL.

With little fanfare so far, Coach Wolf is screening a lot of OL prospects and doing everything he possibly can do to sign a couple of back to back impact OL classes. Given the extent to which he evaluates each athlete, he is way beyond online player ratings. He is applying his experience to assess what each of these guys will look like in 2 years. Aside from Tucker Kattus, this is a completely different OL board compared to the board Yenser was recruiting for us.

I agree. Coach Wolf appears to be working very hard. I will be shocked if Kattus is not a multi year starter.

 

[deuces r wild]

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.

You are right about the plethora of talent in SWO, however the GCL-South has been a little down lately, other than Moeller. There s a ton of upcoming talent at Lakota West, Winton Woods, Princeton, Anderson and Withrow. Springfield OH has produced some of the best talent in Ohio, over the last 5-6 years. AB-S is a product of SHS, which is coached by former Cat Mo Douglass.

 

[North Carolina Blue Wildcat]

You are right about the plethora of talent in SWO, however the GCL-South has been a little down lately, other than Moeller. There s a ton of upcoming talent at Lakota West, Winton Woods, Princeton, Anderson and Withrow. Springfield OH has produced some of the best talent in Ohio, over the last 5-6 years. AB-S is a product of SHS, which is coached by former Cat Mo Douglass.

Saint X is loaded, don’t forget about them. Young, but talented. Clapper has about every P5 offer you can get. The offensive coordinator at Springfield is a good friend of mine.. legit football school. Middletown will be great going forward. New coach and a ton of new faces this upcoming year.

 

[Rembrandt90]

More new UK 2026 offers-

Tristen Bozeman, ATH, Dayton, OH
Karsten Busch, LB, Louisville, KY
Preston Carey, DL, Bradenton, FL
Benjamin Eziuka, OL, Novi, MI
Evan Harvey, LB, Tyrone, GA
Mason Marden, LB, St Louis, MO
PJ MacFarlane, TE, Middletown, OH
Emoni Smith, ATH, Galloway, OH
Jalen Williams, DB, Marietta, GA

 

[The-Hack]

There is a pay wall protected story that UK is still in the running for 2026 Top 200 TE Heze Kent.

He is from Brunswick, Georgia and would be a major recruiting haul from deeper South if we got him:

 

[UKfirst]

There is a pay wall protected story that UK is still in the running for 2026 Top 200 TE Heze Kent.

He is from Brunswick, Georgia and would be a major recruiting haul from deeper South if we got him:

View embedded media

That is a dude. Hope we can snag him.

 

[Rembrandt90]

BTTT. I will work on updating this thread so we can get back to our business.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Here is a summary of some current UK 2026 offers. Without a doubt, this is not a comprehensive list.

Khary Adams, DB, Towson, MD
Kane Archer, QB, Greenwood, AR
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairborn, GA
Tony Balanganayi, OL, Palestine, IN
Adam Balogoun-Ali, LB, Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Javar Bowden, WR, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, WR, Pompano Beach, FL
Marlen Bright, OL/DL, Wayne, NJ
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Karsten Busch, LB, Louisville, KY
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Preston Carey, DL, Bradenton, FL
Devin Carter, DB/slotR, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charlton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Noah Clark, DL, Durham, NC
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Ben Congdon, OL, Mineral City, OH
Tico Crittendon, DL, Lithonia, GA
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
Marquez Daniel, WR, Tuskegee, AL
David Davis, ATH, Pittsburgh, PA
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Leo Delaney, OL, Charlotte, NC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Justice Fitzpatrick, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Colsen Gatten, LB, Pittsburgh, PA
Kaden Gebhardt, DB, Lewis Center, OH
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Tristian Givens, LB, Columbus, GA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Lenneil Hall, OL, Brookline, MA
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Evan Hampton, RB, Owensboro, KY
Marlon Harbin, slotR, Louisville, KY
Caden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Evan Harvey, LB, Tyrone, GA
Nyqir Helton, WR/DB, Atco, NJ
CJ Hester, DB, Cocoa, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB/slotR, Akron, OH
Josiah Hope, DL, Ratcliff, KY
DJ Howerton, TE, Greensboro, NC
Lasiah Jackson, DB, Leesville, GA
Jack Janda, TE, Orchard Lake, MI
Aldarius Johnson, DB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Montgomery, AL
Heze Kent, OL, Brunswick, GA
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Xavier Lherisse, DB, Melbourne, FL
Elijah Littlejohn, LB, Charlotte, NC
PJ MacFarlane, TE, Middletown, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Boca Raton, FL
Mason Marden, LB, St Louis, MO
Samari Matthews, DB, Cornelius, NC
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, LB/TE, Cincinnati, OH
Zaiden McDonald, DB, Newark, NJ
Tyler Merrill, OL, Mechanicsburg, PA
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, TE/LB, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Da'Ron Parks, OL, Sarasota, FL
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, DL, Buford, GA
Henry Perrymond, DB, Cleveland, OH
Parker Pritchett, OL, Columbus, GA
Earnest Rankins, DL, Decatur, GA
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB/TE, Orange Park, FL
CJ Sadler, slotR, Detroit, MI
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
JB Shabazz, OL, Kernersville, NC
Joshua Sims, DB, Nashville, TN
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Jordan Smith, DB, Warner Robins, GA
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
Mitchell Smith, OL, Bradenton, FL
Keyshawn Stancil, DL, Clayton, NC
Blake Stewart, DB, Atlanta, GA
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, WR, Lagrange, GA
Mack Sutter, TE, Dunlop, IL
Keeyshawn Tabuteau, slotR, Chattanooga, TN
Cody Taylor, OL, Greenwood, AR
Jackson Taylor, QB, Westlake Village, CA
Cam Thomas, LB, W Chester, OH
Lucas Tielsch, OL, Akron, OH
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Luke Wafle, LB, Princeton, NJ
Marky Walbridge, OL, Needham, MA
Katrell Webb, LB, Suwanee, GA
Jamarcus Whyce, DL, Dayton, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN

If you want to know which of these players are most likely to visit Lexington in May or June, start with Baker, Baligoun-Ali, Busch, Guthrie, Harbin, Hope, Kent, Parris, Pellman, Redding, Wafle, and Whyce.

 

[Soupbean]

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?

Half of those GA (27), FL (26), OH (26).

Rest…TN (12), NC (7), KY VA AL (6), SC (4), MI MD MS (3), MO (2), TX IL LA DC (1).

 

[Soupbean]

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.

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.

Yeah Hack!!

He’s just trying to have a little good natured brotherly fun Rembrandt.

 

[jlkirk]

Here is a summary of some current UK 2026 offers. Without a doubt, this is not a comprehensive list.

Khary Adams, DB, Towson, MD
Kane Archer, QB, Greenwood, AR
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairborn, GA
Tony Balanganayi, OL, Palestine, IN
Adam Balogoun-Ali, LB, Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Javar Bowden, WR, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, WR, Pompano Beach, FL
Marlen Bright, OL/DL, Wayne, NJ
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Karsten Busch, LB, Louisville, KY
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Preston Carey, DL, Bradenton, FL
Devin Carter, DB/slotR, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charlton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Noah Clark, DL, Durham, NC
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Ben Congdon, OL, Mineral City, OH
Tico Crittendon, DL, Lithonia, GA
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
Marquez Daniel, WR, Tuskegee, AL
David Davis, ATH, Pittsburgh, PA
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Leo Delaney, OL, Charlotte, NC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Justice Fitzpatrick, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Colsen Gatten, LB, Pittsburgh, PA
Kaden Gebhardt, DB, Lewis Center, OH
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Tristian Givens, LB, Columbus, GA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Lenneil Hall, OL, Brookline, MA
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Evan Hampton, RB, Owensboro, KY
Marlon Harbin, slotR, Louisville, KY
Caden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Evan Harvey, LB, Tyrone, GA
Nyqir Helton, WR/DB, Atco, NJ
CJ Hester, DB, Cocoa, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB/slotR, Akron, OH
Josiah Hope, DL, Ratcliff, KY
DJ Howerton, TE, Greensboro, NC
Lasiah Jackson, DB, Leesville, GA
Jack Janda, TE, Orchard Lake, MI
Aldarius Johnson, DB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Montgomery, AL
Heze Kent, OL, Brunswick, GA
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Xavier Lherisse, DB, Melbourne, FL
Elijah Littlejohn, LB, Charlotte, NC
PJ MacFarlane, TE, Middletown, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Boca Raton, FL
Mason Marden, LB, St Louis, MO
Samari Matthews, DB, Cornelius, NC
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, LB/TE, Cincinnati, OH
Zaiden McDonald, DB, Newark, NJ
Tyler Merrill, OL, Mechanicsburg, PA
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, TE/LB, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Da'Ron Parks, OL, Sarasota, FL
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, DL, Buford, GA
Henry Perrymond, DB, Cleveland, OH
Parker Pritchett, OL, Columbus, GA
Earnest Rankins, DL, Decatur, GA
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB/TE, Orange Park, FL
CJ Sadler, slotR, Detroit, MI
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
JB Shabazz, OL, Kernersville, NC
Joshua Sims, DB, Nashville, TN
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Jordan Smith, DB, Warner Robins, GA
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
Mitchell Smith, OL, Bradenton, FL
Keyshawn Stancil, DL, Clayton, NC
Blake Stewart, DB, Atlanta, GA
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, WR, Lagrange, GA
Mack Sutter, TE, Dunlop, IL
Keeyshawn Tabuteau, slotR, Chattanooga, TN
Cody Taylor, OL, Greenwood, AR
Jackson Taylor, QB, Westlake Village, CA
Cam Thomas, LB, W Chester, OH
Lucas Tielsch, OL, Akron, OH
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Luke Wafle, LB, Princeton, NJ
Marky Walbridge, OL, Needham, MA
Katrell Webb, LB, Suwanee, GA
Jamarcus Whyce, DL, Dayton, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN

If you want to know which of these players are most likely to visit Lexington in May or June, start with Baker, Baligoun-Ali, Busch, Guthrie, Harbin, Hope, Kent, Parris, Pellman, Redding, Wafle, and Whyce.

Thanks Rembrandt. Always appreciate your contributions, and glad youre recovering well.

I was surprised you dont think it likely the Strickland kid from Paducah will be on campus in May or June...I thought he was a high priority.

Thanks again.

 

[StaticKat]

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.

Thanks Rembrandt.. it's nice having you back!

 

[Rembrandt90]

Thanks Rembrandt. Always appreciate your contributions, and glad youre recovering well.

I was surprised you dont think it likely the Strickland kid from Paducah will be on campus in May or June...I thought he was a high priority.

Thanks again.

Thanks for your kind thoughts. I didn't say Strickland won't visit UK. Yes, he is a high priority. But I didn't list him among the most likely names for visits because there is some thought inside the industry that he might commit to Vandy this spring. He has already UV'ed MI as well, and reportedly enjoyed himself there. Strickland already reportedly holds at least 5 SEC offers plus MI and IN.
It has been said that he is not a UK fan. If Strickland is still uncommitted when June swings around, I would hope he will accept Coach Marrow's invitation to visit UK. Signing him will not be easy. But, obviously, he is a premium prospect at a position of need. This time last year, Marrow and Stoops put on the full court press for his teammate Martels Carter and we know what happened. So there's that.

If this doesn't sound optimistic, Strickland is just one guy, and football is a team sport with an 85 man roster. In fact, Strickland has lived part of his life in Chattanooga. UK already has offers out to a lot of interesting 2026 OL prospects and may even be the early leader for Guthrie and Kent. Some may label Strickland a "must sign" because he currently lives a short distance inside our state border and has a certain online ranking. But that is antiquated thinking. It would be nice to sign him, but that is true of the entire list I posted yesterday. We will see how this plays out, but I saw Coach Wolford's name prominently listed as primary recruiter for whole lot of interesting 2026 prospects when I did this research yesterday.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Kamdon Gillespie, TE, Mooresville, NC
Luke Hutchison, TE, Nashville, TN
James Morrow, LB, Buford, GA
Travis Robertson, OL, Bloomfield, MI
Dylan Steen, OL, Ft Lauderdale, FL

 

[Rembrandt90]

Kentavion Anderson, DB, Roebuck, SC
KJ Deriso, ATH, Fayetteville, GA
Somad Eaddy, ATH, Greer, SC
Jack Fuchs, OL, Hendersonville, TN
Ge'Mir Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
CJ Sanna, LB, Lewis Center, OH
Rico Schrieber, OL, Chicago, IL
Jordan Thomas, DB, Oradell, NJ
Tamarion Watkins, DB, Rock Hill, SC

 

[Rembrandt90]

Amar'e Miller, DB, Pickerington, OH
Matt Ponatoski, QB, Cincinnati, OH

 

[Rembrandt90]

Jowell Combay, DB, Marietta, GA
Brayden Fogle, TE, Mansfield, OH
Tony Forney, DB, Marietta, GA
Kendall Guervil, DL, Ft Myers, FL
Evan Hampton, RB, Owensboro, KY
Josiah Hope, DL, Ratcliff, KY
Mason James, slotR, Norman, OK
Larry Miles, slotR, Orlando, FL
Ayden Pouncey, DB, Winter Park, FL
Jaborree Riggins, WR, Pompano Beach, FL

 

[jlkirk]

Jowell Combay, DB, Marietta, GA
Brayden Fogle, TE, Mansfield, OH
Tony Forney, DB, Marietta, GA
Kendall Guervil, DL, Ft Myers, FL
Evan Hampton, RB, Owensboro, KY
Josiah Hope, DL, Ratcliff, KY
Mason James, slotR, Norman, OK
Larry Miles, slotR, Orlando, FL
Ayden Pouncey, DB, Winter Park, FL
Jaborree Riggins, WR, Pompano Beach, FL

Rembrandt,
First of all, thanks for all that you do-truly a great source of info that im sure requires a lot of work!
Question: Are all of these guys that you list...do all have committable offers? Or, are they just being evaluated?
Thanks again

 

[Rembrandt90]

Rembrandt,
First of all, thanks for all that you do-truly a great source of info that im sure requires a lot of work!
Question: Are all of these guys that you list...do all have committable offers? Or, are they just being evaluated?
Thanks again

All of these players are publicly reported to have new UK offers. This time of year, there is no way for any of us to know for certain what is committable and what is not although some may claim to know. Typically the staff confirms committable offers by letter in August although there will obviously be some verbal commitments before August.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Chris Booker, OL, Atlanta, GA
Darnell Collins, DB, Rome, GA
Charlie Edgeworth, OL, Chattanooga, TN
Zavion Griffin-Haynes, LB/TE, Rolesville, NC
Kamhariyan Johnson, DL, Muscle Shoals, AL
Johnny Moody, DB, Birmingham, AL
Oscar Rios, QB, Downey, CA
Brayden Rouse, LB, Marietta, GA
James Scott, WR, Conroe, TX
London Smith, WR, Waco, TX
Jeremy Winston, WR, Rome, GA

 

[Rembrandt90]

Jaydon Dunbar, WR, Thomasville, GA
Jackson Ford, LB, Malvern, PA
Aiden Harris, DL, Matthews, NC
Ryan Hopkins, QB, Santa Ana, CA
Amante Martin, RB, Port Arthur, TX
TJ Umenyiora, DB, Roswell, GA

 

[UKfan215]

I like to see us popping up with Texas and California prospects more and more. I would assume Mike Stoops and Jay Boulware have lots of Texas contacts from their time at Oklahoma. And Hamdan, coming to us from Boise State, probably has lots of California contacts. I'd like to see UK start taking a more national approach to football recruiting. With today's TV deals and the current state of college football, I see no reason why we should limit ourselves to regional recruiting.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Give me all of the Boca Raton, Bradenton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Lakeland, Niceville, Plantation, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Clearwater, Delray Beach, Ocala, Fort Myers, Etc., Florida players we can get. Speed, athletic, hungry players. I am very happy signing the Ohio guys we get and have done very well taking OSU's left overs, I just wish we could recruit the deep south. Even Louisiana would be nice. UK very seldom lands players from Louisiana, do we even spend significant time recruiting there ? Obviously LSU and other powerhouses will get their share, but so much talent, there is enough to go around, or may get overlooked. We have to get more athletic and speed if we are wanting to compete with the haves in the SEC. I understand we are not getting multiple 5 stars or top 100/200 guys, but go after the next level of guys. With so many players to rate, (in any hotbed really), there are tons of quality guys going to USF, UCF, or even schools north of the deep south. Spend the money, get guys down there and get a composite of really talented guys who may or may not be a Miami, UF, FSU, Bama, LSU recruit. Too many talented players (even 400/500 rated guys could be had, you just would have to put the time in and build relationships.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Give me all of the Boca Raton, Bradenton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Lakeland, Niceville, Plantation, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Clearwater, Delray Beach, Ocala, Fort Myers, Etc., Florida players we can get. Speed, athletic, hungry players. I am very happy signing the Ohio guys we get and have done very well taking OSU's left overs, I just wish we could recruit the deep south. Even Louisiana would be nice. UK visianaery seldom lands players from Louisiana, do we even spend significant time recruiting there ? Obviously LSU and other powerhouses will get their share, but so much talent, there is enough to go around, or may get overlooked. We have to get more athletic and speed if we are wanting to compete with the haves in the SEC. I understand we are not getting multiple 5 stars or top 100/200 guys, but go after the next level of guys. With so many players to rate, (in any hotbed really), there are tons of quality guys going to USF, UCF, or even schools north of the deep south. Spend the money, get guys down there and get a composite of really talented guys who may or may not be a Miami, UF, FSU, Bama, LSU recruit. Too many talented players (even 400/500 rated guys could be had, you just would have to put the time in and build relationships.

Very few places had much success recruiting Louisiana in the past. UGA would get 1 every 4-5 years. Now with them in the SEC Texas schools seem to have some success there. But NIL has changed that some. If cashing in is high on a kids list there are 5-7 schools that are his favorites before recruiting starts.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Very few places had much success recruiting Louisiana in the past. UGA would get 1 every 4-5 years. Now with them in the SEC Texas schools seem to have some success there. But NIL has changed that some. If cashing in is high on a kids list there are 5-7 schools that are his favorites before recruiting starts.

I mean LSU can only sign so many Louisiana kids, where do all of the rest of them go ? I am curious if UK has EVER signed a player from New Orleans ? I am sure at some point and time, but not many, if any. You have Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, St. Augustine, Ruston, Opelousas, Monroe and others.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I mean LSU can only sign so many Louisiana kids, where do all of the rest of them go ? I am curious if UK has EVER signed a player from New Orleans ? I am sure at some point and time, but not many, if any. You have Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, St. Augustine, Ruston, Opelousas, Monroe and others.

That's a good question, but the state only produced 16 4*+ in 25, 9 signed with LSU, the others were just scattered around the country. The thing that surprised me was no more blue chippers than they were. But LSU normally got who they wanted in Louisiana, and hit Texas, Georgia and Florida hard. It was a big deal getting a Louisiana kid LSU wanted, now not so much with NIL, just offer more.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Give me all of the Boca Raton, Bradenton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Lakeland, Niceville, Plantation, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Clearwater, Delray Beach, Ocala, Fort Myers, Etc., Florida players we can get. Speed, athletic, hungry players. I am very happy signing the Ohio guys we get and have done very well taking OSU's left overs, I just wish we could recruit the deep south. Even Louisiana would be nice. UK very seldom lands players from Louisiana, do we even spend significant time recruiting there ? Obviously LSU and other powerhouses will get their share, but so much talent, there is enough to go around, or may get overlooked. We have to get more athletic and speed if we are wanting to compete with the haves in the SEC. I understand we are not getting multiple 5 stars or top 100/200 guys, but go after the next level of guys. With so many players to rate, (in any hotbed really), there are tons of quality guys going to USF, UCF, or even schools north of the deep south. Spend the money, get guys down there and get a composite of really talented guys who may or may not be a Miami, UF, FSU, Bama, LSU recruit. Too many talented players (even 400/500 rated guys could be had, you just would have to put the time in and build relationships.

UK's recruiting budget is, by far, the highest it has ever been. Focusing on OH players is smart for the obvious reason that they live closer to Lexington and Marrow has more connections in OH.

 

[catsfanbgky]

UK's recruiting budget is, by far, the highest it has ever been. Focusing on OH players is smart for the obvious reason that they live closer to Lexington and Marrow has more connections in OH.

Yes I understand that. BUT, maybe it is time to change how UK recruits by spreading a wider net and not depending solely on local / regional recruiting areas. Tons of left over talent in Florida, Georgia, Miss. We need more team speed and athleticism, looking in "one hole" for talent severely limits tour talent pool. I am not saying try to become major players in those states, but offer a few of the better players nice NIL deals. WTF do you have to lose ? One BIG position we could address from those states, QB. Also, too many elite WR's are in the southern states. Recruiting mainly KY and Ohio is NOT working right now.