Another site reported that Kentucky made the top seven for Dublin Coffman (Ohio) linebacker Jeslord Boateng. I can confirm this is true, and Boateng told me this morning that the reason Kentucky made such a nice spot on his list was "because they said I could get early playing time if I went there and I respect their program very highly."
I know Kentucky was hoping Boateng could make it up for the spring game but his dad was out of town and I believe that's the reason he wasn't able to attend. When I asked Boateng if he plans on visiting Kentucky anytime soon, however, he responded that he still isn't sure when that will happen. He confirmed that Rutgers, Syracuse, Iowa State, Louisville, Indiana and Cincinnati are the other schools at the top of his list.
Keeping it in Ohio, I'm hearing that there is a lot of optimism, re: Chase Wolf, as Kentucky looks for a quarterback replacement for Jarren Williams. To my understanding Wolf has not visited. I spoke with him several weeks ago and Wolf said at the time that he mostly wanted to keep his recruitment pretty private. But I spoke with a source and they at least believe that Wolf will be very receptive to their pitch. Apparently Vince Marrow had quietly stayed in some contact with Wolf just in case they needed someone down the road, and that could pay off.
In fact, one person told me yesterday that they believe Kentucky will ultimately land Wolf...
That doesn't mean that Kevin Doyle is out of the picture at all. Darin Hinshaw will watch Doyle on May 1st and while I don't have a date for when he plans to watch Wolf, I'm sure he will. I'm sure Hinshaw will need to favorably evaluate one of these guys or someone else before he goes all-in on someone as that's pretty standard operating procedure. Ryan Donnelly of Panther-lair.com reported yesterday that Pitt is still at the top of Doyle's list.
And as I mentioned yesterday, Justin Rogers would surely be someone of interest, but I doubt Kentucky has a great shot with the Rivals100 quarterback.
I spoke with a source following Florida's offer to Tyler Bentley and was told that Kentucky is still very likely in good shape. In effect, his decision postponement pushes his timeline from early May to probably July, but this has changed enough that it's reasonable to wonder whether it might change again. At the end of the day I expect him to end up with Kentucky, so the offers from Alabama, Florida, etc., can be taken as mostly a positive sign for the kind of player he is, in this case.
Speaking of Lakota West, Steven Faucheux is a 2019 defensive lineman at the school who was offered by Florida as well. Because he's younger he hasn't been in as much direct contact with Kentucky, but Faucheaux told me yesterday that his father has been talking to Marrow as recently as a couple of weeks ago. He visited Kentucky earlier this year and loved the trip.
Faucheaux said, "Still plan to get down there to see the facilities and talk to coaches but my family's schedule has been pretty crazy." He went on to tell me that along with Kentucky the other main schools to be involved recently are Michigan State, Louisville, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame. "A few others are supposed to be planning to visit (the high school) from what I hear but I don't know about any specific plans yet for them."
Yesterday Louisville (Ky.) cornerback Jairus Brents was offered by Oklahoma. Too early to tell how much of a threat the Sooners could become but remember this is a kid who has always seemed very open to bigger out-of-state programs.
Andrew Cunningham, a Florida athlete who said he has "10 out of 10" interest in Kentucky recently, added an offer from LSU this week. He's a running back on the Cats' board and probably one of the top ones out there.
Kentucky offered South Carolina offensive tackle Raiqwon O'Neal this week. He's a 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect and he has other offers but Kentucky is one of his first Power Five offers. I think the offer made a pretty strong impression on him. I spoke with him first in February, and at the time he said he hadn't been hearing from Kentucky but I had heard that he was on the radar. Louisville was recruiting him at the time. I do expect him to visit.
I know Kentucky was hoping Boateng could make it up for the spring game but his dad was out of town and I believe that's the reason he wasn't able to attend. When I asked Boateng if he plans on visiting Kentucky anytime soon, however, he responded that he still isn't sure when that will happen. He confirmed that Rutgers, Syracuse, Iowa State, Louisville, Indiana and Cincinnati are the other schools at the top of his list.
Keeping it in Ohio, I'm hearing that there is a lot of optimism, re: Chase Wolf, as Kentucky looks for a quarterback replacement for Jarren Williams. To my understanding Wolf has not visited. I spoke with him several weeks ago and Wolf said at the time that he mostly wanted to keep his recruitment pretty private. But I spoke with a source and they at least believe that Wolf will be very receptive to their pitch. Apparently Vince Marrow had quietly stayed in some contact with Wolf just in case they needed someone down the road, and that could pay off.
In fact, one person told me yesterday that they believe Kentucky will ultimately land Wolf...
That doesn't mean that Kevin Doyle is out of the picture at all. Darin Hinshaw will watch Doyle on May 1st and while I don't have a date for when he plans to watch Wolf, I'm sure he will. I'm sure Hinshaw will need to favorably evaluate one of these guys or someone else before he goes all-in on someone as that's pretty standard operating procedure. Ryan Donnelly of Panther-lair.com reported yesterday that Pitt is still at the top of Doyle's list.
And as I mentioned yesterday, Justin Rogers would surely be someone of interest, but I doubt Kentucky has a great shot with the Rivals100 quarterback.
I spoke with a source following Florida's offer to Tyler Bentley and was told that Kentucky is still very likely in good shape. In effect, his decision postponement pushes his timeline from early May to probably July, but this has changed enough that it's reasonable to wonder whether it might change again. At the end of the day I expect him to end up with Kentucky, so the offers from Alabama, Florida, etc., can be taken as mostly a positive sign for the kind of player he is, in this case.
Speaking of Lakota West, Steven Faucheux is a 2019 defensive lineman at the school who was offered by Florida as well. Because he's younger he hasn't been in as much direct contact with Kentucky, but Faucheaux told me yesterday that his father has been talking to Marrow as recently as a couple of weeks ago. He visited Kentucky earlier this year and loved the trip.
Faucheaux said, "Still plan to get down there to see the facilities and talk to coaches but my family's schedule has been pretty crazy." He went on to tell me that along with Kentucky the other main schools to be involved recently are Michigan State, Louisville, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame. "A few others are supposed to be planning to visit (the high school) from what I hear but I don't know about any specific plans yet for them."
Yesterday Louisville (Ky.) cornerback Jairus Brents was offered by Oklahoma. Too early to tell how much of a threat the Sooners could become but remember this is a kid who has always seemed very open to bigger out-of-state programs.
Andrew Cunningham, a Florida athlete who said he has "10 out of 10" interest in Kentucky recently, added an offer from LSU this week. He's a running back on the Cats' board and probably one of the top ones out there.
Kentucky offered South Carolina offensive tackle Raiqwon O'Neal this week. He's a 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect and he has other offers but Kentucky is one of his first Power Five offers. I think the offer made a pretty strong impression on him. I spoke with him first in February, and at the time he said he hadn't been hearing from Kentucky but I had heard that he was on the radar. Louisville was recruiting him at the time. I do expect him to visit.
