Anthony Davis, LB, Loganville, GA
Jamir Perez, DL, Cleveland, OH
Damari Simeon, DL, Richland, NJ
Jamir Perez, DL, Cleveland, OH
Damari Simeon, DL, Richland, NJ
Did a little research on UK's bigger name players recently and where they are from :
Michigan :
Deone Walker
Maxwell Hairston
Justin Rogers
Khamari Anderson
DeAndre Square
Georgia :
C-Rod
Jamarion Wilcox
Trevin Wallace
Yusuf Corker
Trevard Lindley
Bud Dupree
Jamin Davis
Florida :
Hardley Gilmore (gone)
Jason Patterson
Danny Trevathan
Georgia and Michigan has been very good to UK. Florida, not so much. I know there are several other players who are from those states who have played at UK, I just listed the more productive ones.
My thoughts are this ;
Florida- UK has not landed near enough on filed talent from the super rich in talent Florida. Needs to be a lot more work put in there. Horrible.
Georgia has kind of cooled off lately, tons of talent there, and was very good to UK.
Michigan - Has been very good recently, need to keep up the networking there.
SC/Miss/Louisiana/Alabama - Maybe start trying to build some relationships in those very rich in talent areas. Seems like recently the Ohio kids we do get, end up leaving or do not pan out. And I know we have had NUMEROUS star players from Ohio, but in the last couple years it hasn't really paid off on the field.
If UK can land that many difference makers from Michigan, they damn sure can at least TRY to land some southern kids. JMO.
In other words, recruiting is a competitive process. UK doesn't usually recruit head to head with GA Tech but it happens occasionally. GA Tech sure would like to have signed UK LBs Devin Smith and Grant Godfrey. I looked over GA Tech's roster but I don't see anyone UK seriously wanted other than Romello Height, who actually signed with Auburn before transferring later to GA Tech.
That is what I am saying. Paul Johnson ruined the relationship with every coach in the GHSA, his successor didn't do anything to change that. But the one they have now is rebuilding those connections. It's didnt happen overnight, but entering his 4th year Tech is being mentioned by lots of the top kids and they have signed some kids that they normally had no shot at. NIL changes everything, but they are starting to get GA. Kids that Bama, UGA, LSU and other places they had no shot at 3 years ago.
Publicly reported UK OVs for the class so far-
May 30
Joel Ervin, OL, Ft Myers, FL
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
June 6
Marcus Almada, DL, Marion MA
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
Dylan Purter, DB, Tuskegee, AL
Elijah Satchell, LB, Camden, NJ
June 13
JT Barlow, DL, Evergreen, AL
Andrew Clark, DB, Richmond, VA
Darnell Collins, WR, Rome, GA
KJ DeRiso, ATH, Fayetteville, GA
Larry Miles, WR, Winter Garden, FL
Da'Ron Parks, OL, Sarasota, FL
June 15
Asharri Charles, LB, Venice, FL
June 20
Karsten Busch, LB, Louisville, KY
Jaedyn Terry, DB, Manchester, GA
I know its early but we're literally the only SEC team without a 2026 commit right now.
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Not sure if Busch will keep that June 20th visit as he just committed to Louisville.Publicly reported UK OVs for the class so far-
June 20
Karsten Busch, LB, Louisville, KY
Jaedyn Terry, DB, Manchester, GA
Not sure if Busch will keep that June 20th visit as he just committed to Louisville.
Not sure if Busch will keep that June 20th visit as he just committed to Louisville.
No hard data, but my impression is that the schools that get commitments earlier on average wind up with the better recruiting classes. Guys tend to want to get onboard early with top teams in order to not get left out as those teams typically are picking & choosing for most of their class vs. persuading later on as we typically need to do. JMO.
No hard data, but my impression is that the schools that get commitments earlier on average wind up with the better recruiting classes. Guys tend to want to get onboard early with top teams in order to not get left out as those teams typically are picking & choosing for most of their class vs. persuading later on as we typically need to do. JMO.
No hard data, but my impression is that the schools that get commitments earlier on average wind up with the better recruiting classes. Guys tend to want to get onboard early with top teams in order to not get left out as those teams typically are picking & choosing for most of their class vs. persuading later on as we typically need to do. JMO.
Not sure i agree with this, even agree less today than in the past. Sure there are some kids that commit early because they want to be at a particular school. But with NIL, today even if a top kid commits in Feb or March there will be 10-15 programs coming with bigger offers. But there is really no reason for the top kids to commit early. Some are asking and getting 5k to visit for a game and 10k for a weekend. We'll their hanger ons are. UGA has done fairly well in recruiting the last few years and it never picks up for UGA until mid summer. This year could be different and when Sept rolls around and we have 5-6 commits i am not too concerned
Basically agree. Each football player is an individual. Everyone is different. Some want to get recruiting out of the way and enjoy their senior year of hs. Some know what they want and don't procrastinate. Some commit early but then keep looking. Others enjoy the recruiting attention and get into a habit of waiting on more offers. I can understand all these different perspectives except for the flippers. Players ought to invest some serious prospective thought into it and have a handle on what they are looking for. And if they want to be treated honorably, then they ought to behave honorably. And some obviously do.
I can agree with that, except for the flippers. 5 years ago I would agree with you, but in today's rules it's a different game. Just last year, LSU had a QB commit Mich wanted. They just kept coming after him with bigger offers, finally at 10-12 million he flipped. I can't blame a kid, the game is broken. I know that isn't the norm, but lots of 6 figure deals being made, hard for a kid who grew up in the projects on free lunches to not jump on that. UGA lost one last year who took a 7 figure offer, a handful of schools out there with what seems like endless money.
I only said I can't understand the flippers. Sure, there is the occasional story like the one you shared. Of course, we also understand why a kid might flip after a coaching change at the school. But I am talking about kids that commit without thinking it through. Picking a college is an important life decision. Before going through the process, competitive athletes and their parents ought to think about objectives and expectations. Take all the visits and then decide carefully and deliberately, befitting an important decision. I feel for kids who don't receive parental guidance. But everyone these days demands "respect". And if someone wants respect, then behave respectfully. That's all I was thinking.
Wondering if there is a buzz out there about the hot seat Stoops is sitting on in 2025? Sure seems like recruiting is not going as expected. Marrow interviewing for other jobs. Writers predicting similar season to 2024.I know its early but we're literally the only SEC team without a 2026 commit right now.
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I only said I can't understand the flippers. Sure, there is the occasional story like the one you shared. Of course, we also understand why a kid might flip after a coaching change at the school. But I am talking about kids that commit without thinking it through. Picking a college is an important life decision. Before going through the process, competitive athletes and their parents ought to think about objectives and expectations. Take all the visits and then decide carefully and deliberately, befitting an important decision. I feel for kids who don't receive parental guidance. But everyone these days demands "respect". And if someone wants respect, then behave respectfully. That's all I was thinking.
Why is that perception telling? The St X prospects are not critical recruits for UK. In fact, I'm not convinced Harbin even holds a committable UK offer. Does UK need another slot receiver to sit next to Quisenberry? Would Harbin ever see the field ahead of Quintin Simmons or Cam Miller? Busch DOES hold a committable offer, but there is nothing unusual about a Jefferson County prospect picking UL.It just appears UK is "behind" this year with the 2 St X prospects to UL and the big tackle from Tilghman a heavy lean to Vandy...top all that off with not a sniff for the kid from Owensboro. Perceptions are very telling
Were you not completely turned off on the way Eric Wolford left us for Bama ? Not that he left for Bama but the manner in which he did it.Why is that perception telling? The St X prospects are not critical recruits for UK. In fact, I'm not convinced Harbin even holds a committable UK offer. Does UK need another slot receiver to sit next to Quisenberry? Would Harbin ever see the field ahead of Quintin Simmons or Cam Miller? Busch DOES hold a committable offer, but there is nothing unusual about a Jefferson County prospect picking UL.
OTOH, Strickland is an important UK recruit. But what is the evidence that Strickland is a "heavy lean to Vandy"? One crystal ball citation from last October by Vandy fan Robbie Weinstein. That was well before Strickland UV'ed UK and then scheduled his June OV to Lexington. I'm not saying Strickland will sign with UK. But his teammate Marcels Carter did. I try not to underestimate Coach Marrow. At one time, Carter was primarily interested in FL St, Clemson, and Auburn. Then Coach Marrow targeted him. Let's see how Strickland's OV goes in June.
FWIW, Eric Wolford is actively recruiting a long list of interesting OTs. Several have already scheduled OVs to UK in June and there will be more. Last year, Wolf closed the deal with Darrin Strey and Jermiel Atkins.
Every spring and summer, this board is filled with anxious posts expressing doubts about UK's recruiting classes. They don't sign until December. And, notwithstanding the high level of popular interest in instate recruiting, nearly all of UK's best football players under Stoops have been signed out of state. I guess this is worth mentioning again. Allen, Boom, Snell, CRod, Juice, Bowden, Bunchy, Fortner GAA, Kinnard, Bohanna, McCall, Paschal, Walker, Edwards, Hairston. That partial out of state list is worth looking at again. And although some have insisted instate recruiting is a barometer for the program, that is highly subjective and emotional, and hasn't always actually been the case outside of Landon Young and Drake Jackson. It doesn't necessarily follow that UK cannot sign a strong class without dominating instate, and it also doesn't follow that UK must gain a bunch of spring commitments. That may be true for FL or TX. Not for UK. Different states, different circumstances.
Stoops' football program backslid in 2024. That does not mean we can't recruit a solid 2026 class. In fact, recruiting is the one thing Stoops has consistently done well. But Stoops must improve the optics around the program if he can, and that may take a couple of months. They won't sign until December. So there is no point that I can see in trying to assess our 2026 class before then. JMO.
Why is that perception telling? The St X prospects are not critical recruits for UK. In fact, I'm not convinced Harbin even holds a committable UK offer. Does UK need another slot receiver to sit next to Quisenberry? Would Harbin ever see the field ahead of Quintin Simmons or Cam Miller? Busch DOES hold a committable offer, but there is nothing unusual about a Jefferson County prospect picking UL.
OTOH, Strickland is an important UK recruit. But what is the evidence that Strickland is a "heavy lean to Vandy"? One crystal ball citation from last October by Vandy fan Robbie Weinstein. That was well before Strickland UV'ed UK and then scheduled his June OV to Lexington. I'm not saying Strickland will sign with UK. But his teammate Marcels Carter did. I try not to underestimate Coach Marrow. At one time, Carter was primarily interested in FL St, Clemson, and Auburn. Then Coach Marrow targeted him. Let's see how Strickland's OV goes in June.
FWIW, Eric Wolford is actively recruiting a long list of interesting OTs. Several have already scheduled OVs to UK in June and there will be more. Last year, Wolf closed the deal with Darrin Strey and Jermiel Atkins.
Every spring and summer, this board is filled with anxious posts expressing doubts about UK's recruiting classes. They don't sign until December. And, notwithstanding the high level of popular interest in instate recruiting, nearly all of UK's best football players under Stoops have been signed out of state. I guess this is worth mentioning again. Allen, Boom, Snell, CRod, Juice, Bowden, Bunchy, Fortner GAA, Kinnard, Bohanna, McCall, Paschal, Walker, Edwards, Hairston. That partial out of state list is worth looking at again. And although some have insisted instate recruiting is a barometer for the program, that is highly subjective and emotional, and hasn't always actually been the case outside of Landon Young and Drake Jackson. It doesn't necessarily follow that UK cannot sign a strong class without dominating instate, and it also doesn't follow that UK must gain a bunch of spring commitments. That may be true for FL or TX. Not for UK. Different states, different circumstances.
Stoops' football program backslid in 2024. That does not mean we can't recruit a solid 2026 class. In fact, recruiting is the one thing Stoops has consistently done well. But Stoops must improve the optics around the program if he can, and that may take a couple of months. They won't sign until December. So there is no point that I can see in trying to assess our 2026 class before then. JMO.
Were you not completely turned off on the way Eric Wolford left us for Bama ? Not that he left for Bama but the manner in which he did it.
Character still counts to some people and he failed that test.
If he comes in your living room to recruit your son can you take him at his word on anything ?
I love KY football and I thought what he did was pitiful. Don't understand why Stoops hired him back.
Would be interested in your perspective on this. I always look forward to your posts.