This isn't meant to be an indirect knock on any of Kentucky's 2016 commitments, but I thought it would be a fun exercise to list the commitments I feel best about. This is based in part on what I've seen but feel free to chime in with your take, favorites and who you feel best about.
Without further ado, here's my "Super Six" - the six recruits (in alphabetical order) that I believe are the best players in Kentucky's 2017 class.
Quinton Bohanna - DT, Cordova (Tenn.)
I think Bohanna will ultimately have the ability to play defensive tackle or nose guard for Kentucky. He's about 6-foot-4 and better than 310 pounds and he looks every bit of it. The last time I saw Bohanna was at Sunday Night Lights. He did not participate, but he is massive. He plays the game with a bit of an edge and I think he's one of the better defensive linemen Kentucky will have landed under Mark Stoops.
Alex King - Jack DE/LB, Mason (Ohio)
I think there's a chance King could ultimately be the best Jack that Kentucky has signed in the Stoops' era, along with perhaps Denzil Ware. That's saying something because they're pretty high on Jordan Bonner and (longer-term) Jaylin Bannerman. I like King's closing speed and he's a very physical player. He's not quite as long as Bonner or Bannerman, but he's strong and explosive.
Bryant Koback - RB, Holland (Ohio) Springfield
I think Koback has been underappreciated throughout his recruitment but his offer list has started to catch up with his ability and what he deserves. Remember, this is a guy who routinely turns in sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash times (at Kentucky, Ohio State, elsewhere), and that's at about 200 pounds. He has an impressive upper body, broad shoulders, good footwork and pretty much everything you want in a running back. He's got a really impressive blend of size and power. Can be an every-down back and I think the staff loves him.
Michael Nesbitt - DB, Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson
Nesbitt is a big-time pickup for Kentucky. He's long and a great athlete. Not just an athlete but an explosive athlete. Speed, leaping ability, etc. But also competitiveness. He is a great competitor. One of the better skill position athletes in the Stoops era and I like his versatility. He definitely passed the eye test at Sunday Night Lights.
JaVonte Richardson - WR, Maple Heights (Ohio)
He's Kentucky's highest-rated commitment for a reason. I saw Richardson when he was still a second semester sophomore at the Rivals Camp Series in Cleveland (the one featuring so many UK commits like Rigg, Walder, Rose, Snell, etc.) and was blown away because he was probably the most physically impressive guy at the entire camp just by the eye test and factoring his age in. The sky is the absolute limit for this guy. I don't know that he will hit his stride as a true freshman or right away, but I think Richardson absolutely has the potential to be the best player in this class and the best NFL prospect if he puts it all together.
Clevan Thomas, Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan
Tough to say too much about how this guy performed at the Cats' last camp of the summer. I came away impressed, other media I talk to came away impressed, I've heard the staff came away extremely impressed. I loved this guy. Gritty competitor, adaptable to whatever you want to do with him on the field, built like a rock, quick, strong. He's got a great long-term forecast but I also believe Thomas may be the most college-ready player in the class.
If I had to name a dark horse to turn into a really strong contributor I would probably say linebacker Jamin Davis. I like his production, his ability to play multiple linebacker positions, and he was good when I saw him this summer. Does a little bit of everything well.
Without further ado, here's my "Super Six" - the six recruits (in alphabetical order) that I believe are the best players in Kentucky's 2017 class.
Quinton Bohanna - DT, Cordova (Tenn.)
I think Bohanna will ultimately have the ability to play defensive tackle or nose guard for Kentucky. He's about 6-foot-4 and better than 310 pounds and he looks every bit of it. The last time I saw Bohanna was at Sunday Night Lights. He did not participate, but he is massive. He plays the game with a bit of an edge and I think he's one of the better defensive linemen Kentucky will have landed under Mark Stoops.
Alex King - Jack DE/LB, Mason (Ohio)
I think there's a chance King could ultimately be the best Jack that Kentucky has signed in the Stoops' era, along with perhaps Denzil Ware. That's saying something because they're pretty high on Jordan Bonner and (longer-term) Jaylin Bannerman. I like King's closing speed and he's a very physical player. He's not quite as long as Bonner or Bannerman, but he's strong and explosive.
Bryant Koback - RB, Holland (Ohio) Springfield
I think Koback has been underappreciated throughout his recruitment but his offer list has started to catch up with his ability and what he deserves. Remember, this is a guy who routinely turns in sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash times (at Kentucky, Ohio State, elsewhere), and that's at about 200 pounds. He has an impressive upper body, broad shoulders, good footwork and pretty much everything you want in a running back. He's got a really impressive blend of size and power. Can be an every-down back and I think the staff loves him.
Michael Nesbitt - DB, Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson
Nesbitt is a big-time pickup for Kentucky. He's long and a great athlete. Not just an athlete but an explosive athlete. Speed, leaping ability, etc. But also competitiveness. He is a great competitor. One of the better skill position athletes in the Stoops era and I like his versatility. He definitely passed the eye test at Sunday Night Lights.
JaVonte Richardson - WR, Maple Heights (Ohio)
He's Kentucky's highest-rated commitment for a reason. I saw Richardson when he was still a second semester sophomore at the Rivals Camp Series in Cleveland (the one featuring so many UK commits like Rigg, Walder, Rose, Snell, etc.) and was blown away because he was probably the most physically impressive guy at the entire camp just by the eye test and factoring his age in. The sky is the absolute limit for this guy. I don't know that he will hit his stride as a true freshman or right away, but I think Richardson absolutely has the potential to be the best player in this class and the best NFL prospect if he puts it all together.
Clevan Thomas, Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan
Tough to say too much about how this guy performed at the Cats' last camp of the summer. I came away impressed, other media I talk to came away impressed, I've heard the staff came away extremely impressed. I loved this guy. Gritty competitor, adaptable to whatever you want to do with him on the field, built like a rock, quick, strong. He's got a great long-term forecast but I also believe Thomas may be the most college-ready player in the class.
If I had to name a dark horse to turn into a really strong contributor I would probably say linebacker Jamin Davis. I like his production, his ability to play multiple linebacker positions, and he was good when I saw him this summer. Does a little bit of everything well.
