Davonte Robinson - This is sort of unfair, contributing to the rumor mill, but Robinson's willingness to visit Notre Dame and keep the lines of communication open with the Irish make it a necessity to address the status of Robinson's commitment. What I can tell you is that Kentucky sources have long believed in their chances at holding on Robinson just because he's familiar with the school and the staff, doesn't take a lot of other trips, etc. I think his dad is pretty involved one way or the other, but I could be wrong. I know he was instrumental in convincing Robinson to avoid camps to focus on track. In short, UK believes they can keep him and probably will. But I do expect chatter to pick up unless he unequivocally says something.
Jordan Griffin - Recently a Rivals network source told me that he heard that it "sounds like he's open to being recruited," and mentioned that South Carolina is one of the schools coming the hardest after him. I think South Carolina would probably hold more appeal for him than either Stanford or Michigan, but Griffin has held steady with Kentucky for a long time. Then, there's Auburn. I'm not saying this situation looks like Jeremiah Dinson's last year, because Dinson would almost joke about how likely he was to flip, knowing full well that Kentucky wanted badly to keep him on board. I do think Griffin has somewhat of an open ear but the UK staff has done a tremendous job making him feel the love.
A.J. Rose - It's been addressed here recently but Ohio State is the elephant in the room. I don't have anything to add beyond this: If Ohio State offers him as a running back, then they carry a lot of clout. If it's as a defensive back then two things will happen: OSU will make their case loud and clear and Kentucky will take the other angle. UK obviously has a much better chance if they offer him as a defensive back. Another issue: If OSU offers him 'as a running back,' you can bet that UK folks will make the case that they plan to move him to the secondary, and may just be saying running back to get him on the ship. Rose likes Kentucky a lot. He loves Marrow and he likes Dorian Baker a lot. He's visited frequently and he feels a part of UK's class. It's Ohio State, so that always means something.
Tobias Gilliam - I haven't heard as much on Gilliam of late. He did visit Michigan State and I don't think UK was thrilled that he took that trip. But since that time there hasn't been quite as much chatter about a flip. That's not to say it couldn't happen, but while Griffin's buzz seems to be picking up, lately at least the talk about Gilliam has tapered off a bit.
Overall, here's the situation.
Though there are others like Dakota Holtzclaw, Luke Fortner, etc., that have kept themselves 'out there' and willing to listen to some extent, the above four are the four to watch most closely.
The fact is most of those names (three of four) are in the secondary. Last year the secondary is where there was more class turnover than anywhere else (Dowell twins, Custis, Dinson, Walker on and off and on).
The necessity of keeping at least two of the above three defensive backs on board is clear. It's clear because Carlos Becker is a defensive back I know they'd take and Craig Watts is one they've reached out to. So they are willing to take a DB, if it's the right DB, with a remaining spot. That means they are not overflowing beyond max capacity even if the depth is strong.
So the point is the secondary is a place where you would ideally take 3-4 in this class, and of the three they have right now, all three are coveted by other schools.
Don't take this as a doomsday post at all. I think it's very possible they keep all three. And let's be honest, once again this staff's eye for talent is being validated and there aren't any signs that the unity of the class is showing cracks.
Jordan Griffin - Recently a Rivals network source told me that he heard that it "sounds like he's open to being recruited," and mentioned that South Carolina is one of the schools coming the hardest after him. I think South Carolina would probably hold more appeal for him than either Stanford or Michigan, but Griffin has held steady with Kentucky for a long time. Then, there's Auburn. I'm not saying this situation looks like Jeremiah Dinson's last year, because Dinson would almost joke about how likely he was to flip, knowing full well that Kentucky wanted badly to keep him on board. I do think Griffin has somewhat of an open ear but the UK staff has done a tremendous job making him feel the love.
A.J. Rose - It's been addressed here recently but Ohio State is the elephant in the room. I don't have anything to add beyond this: If Ohio State offers him as a running back, then they carry a lot of clout. If it's as a defensive back then two things will happen: OSU will make their case loud and clear and Kentucky will take the other angle. UK obviously has a much better chance if they offer him as a defensive back. Another issue: If OSU offers him 'as a running back,' you can bet that UK folks will make the case that they plan to move him to the secondary, and may just be saying running back to get him on the ship. Rose likes Kentucky a lot. He loves Marrow and he likes Dorian Baker a lot. He's visited frequently and he feels a part of UK's class. It's Ohio State, so that always means something.
Tobias Gilliam - I haven't heard as much on Gilliam of late. He did visit Michigan State and I don't think UK was thrilled that he took that trip. But since that time there hasn't been quite as much chatter about a flip. That's not to say it couldn't happen, but while Griffin's buzz seems to be picking up, lately at least the talk about Gilliam has tapered off a bit.
Overall, here's the situation.
Though there are others like Dakota Holtzclaw, Luke Fortner, etc., that have kept themselves 'out there' and willing to listen to some extent, the above four are the four to watch most closely.
The fact is most of those names (three of four) are in the secondary. Last year the secondary is where there was more class turnover than anywhere else (Dowell twins, Custis, Dinson, Walker on and off and on).
The necessity of keeping at least two of the above three defensive backs on board is clear. It's clear because Carlos Becker is a defensive back I know they'd take and Craig Watts is one they've reached out to. So they are willing to take a DB, if it's the right DB, with a remaining spot. That means they are not overflowing beyond max capacity even if the depth is strong.
So the point is the secondary is a place where you would ideally take 3-4 in this class, and of the three they have right now, all three are coveted by other schools.
Don't take this as a doomsday post at all. I think it's very possible they keep all three. And let's be honest, once again this staff's eye for talent is being validated and there aren't any signs that the unity of the class is showing cracks.
