This edition of the War Room will basically be a compilation of some updates that I've been gathering for a few days now. If anything had been really pressing or timely I would have put it up right away. Mostly these are situations in progress that will be worth following. I will work on putting together a list of expected spring game visitors in the next week or so leading up to the spring game.
You might remember a defensive lineman by the name of Allen Love. The Birmingham (Ala.) Huffman prospect was pretty blown away when Kentucky offered him shortly after Derrick LeBlanc was hired. Love told me this week that it's been a while since he's heard from LeBlanc. Probably sometime in March was the last contact and I get the impression it wasn't last week or anything. If UK were to turn it back up I think they'd have a shot. Most of Love's other recent offers have been G5 schools so I don't know how interested Kentucky is right now.
Love went on to tell me that he is still definitely up for visiting Kentucky. Later this month he'll be releasing a top 10 list and I think it's pretty much a given UK will be on it unless he's turned off by a lack of contact.
Steven Clinkscale is still in regular contact with Michigan ATH Jaylan Franklin and the Cats' defensive backs coach is pushing for Franklin to visit (for about the fifth time) in the near future. I think Franklin will make that return trip.
Jeslord Boateng told me that he's been in contact with Vince Marrow recently. Most recently, in fact, on Tuesday. That tells me that Boateng is still a primary target in Ohio for the Cats. The outside linebacker from Dublin (Ohio) Coffman expressed some solid interest in Kentucky when they offered weeks ago. No word yet on when a possible visit might happen but he still seems open to the Cats.
I'm hearing that Brian Asamoah and Boateng are both being targeted probably as Kentucky's No. 2 and 3 linebacker wants in Ohio (behind Xavier Peters of course). Asamoah's interest in Kentucky has ticked upwards, per sources. If I had to guess I'd say Asamoah may be a little higher on the board than Boateng.
Another player that Marrow has been in recent contact with is Taj Ward. The Solon (Ohio) cornerback may need to camp at Kentucky this summer but as of yet he does not have any set date for a first visit. The only trip he has planned is to Cincinnati and that's to be on April 14th. Not sure why he hasn't set a trip to Kentucky yet. But he did talk to Marrow on Tuesday. I actually now believe that Ward may be higher on Kentucky's board than I originally believed. I think UK will push for him to visit on April 14th, rather than go to Cincinnati.
Some of you have asked about Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar linebacker Antwuan Johnson, the teammate of running back/athlete Tavion Thomas and a player who has been on UK's radar for quite some time himself. The three-star linebacker told me today that contact with Kentucky recently has been light, noting, "I know they've been in contact with a lot of (other) guys." I didn't get the impression that Johnson had written Kentucky off. But based on what I've heard I think he's way down Kentucky's board.
Make no mistake about the fact that Josh Whyle is definitely the tight end that Kentucky would love to have to complement Brenden Bates on their 2018 commitment list. What a class that would be. Star power, would complement one another and would really bolster the depth chart for years to come with versatility, athleticism and all you want.
But they are going to cover their bases as you always will. Several other tight ends are on the radar. One tight end they have not offered yet, but that they have interest in, is Christoph Henle of Arlington (Tex.) The Oakridge School. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound three-star prospect has offers from Houston, Tulsa, UNLV and some smaller programs. Probably a down the road guy but don't forget the name.
If Whyle commits to Kentucky this spring then the Henle note and all other mentions of other tight ends are moot. They'd be done.
But Henle told me that he has been in contact with Michael Colosimo at Kentucky and if the summer arrives and they still need a tight end then they want him to camp. Assuming Kentucky doesn't have a second tight end by then (big assumption), Henle would be open to visiting and camping for an offer. Would be very interested.
I will say this about Whyle. I think he may be a little concerned about Bates' presence on the commitment list. It is really hard to get two marquee tight ends in the same class, even if you have a proven track record of success and rotating guys at the position. But UK will make the case that their depth chart needs to be filled out.
Lamar Thomas has recruited plenty in Florida but he also talks to guys elsewhere. One player from outside south Florida he's been in contact with is Spencer Gaddis, a 6-foot, 170-pound receiver from Alpharetta, Ga. No offer yet, but Gaddis has offers Utah, Tulane and Arkansas State. Gaddis seems super excited about Kentucky's interest.
Finally, I'm hearing that there is a belief, widespread but below the surface and at a number of different schools, that Michigan State's recruiting is potentially going to take a big hit in the near future. In part because of their big step backwards last year but having more to do, from what I've heard, with the rape case that has been ongoing and linked in some way to members of the football program.
You might remember a defensive lineman by the name of Allen Love. The Birmingham (Ala.) Huffman prospect was pretty blown away when Kentucky offered him shortly after Derrick LeBlanc was hired. Love told me this week that it's been a while since he's heard from LeBlanc. Probably sometime in March was the last contact and I get the impression it wasn't last week or anything. If UK were to turn it back up I think they'd have a shot. Most of Love's other recent offers have been G5 schools so I don't know how interested Kentucky is right now.
Love went on to tell me that he is still definitely up for visiting Kentucky. Later this month he'll be releasing a top 10 list and I think it's pretty much a given UK will be on it unless he's turned off by a lack of contact.
Steven Clinkscale is still in regular contact with Michigan ATH Jaylan Franklin and the Cats' defensive backs coach is pushing for Franklin to visit (for about the fifth time) in the near future. I think Franklin will make that return trip.
Jeslord Boateng told me that he's been in contact with Vince Marrow recently. Most recently, in fact, on Tuesday. That tells me that Boateng is still a primary target in Ohio for the Cats. The outside linebacker from Dublin (Ohio) Coffman expressed some solid interest in Kentucky when they offered weeks ago. No word yet on when a possible visit might happen but he still seems open to the Cats.
I'm hearing that Brian Asamoah and Boateng are both being targeted probably as Kentucky's No. 2 and 3 linebacker wants in Ohio (behind Xavier Peters of course). Asamoah's interest in Kentucky has ticked upwards, per sources. If I had to guess I'd say Asamoah may be a little higher on the board than Boateng.
Another player that Marrow has been in recent contact with is Taj Ward. The Solon (Ohio) cornerback may need to camp at Kentucky this summer but as of yet he does not have any set date for a first visit. The only trip he has planned is to Cincinnati and that's to be on April 14th. Not sure why he hasn't set a trip to Kentucky yet. But he did talk to Marrow on Tuesday. I actually now believe that Ward may be higher on Kentucky's board than I originally believed. I think UK will push for him to visit on April 14th, rather than go to Cincinnati.
Some of you have asked about Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar linebacker Antwuan Johnson, the teammate of running back/athlete Tavion Thomas and a player who has been on UK's radar for quite some time himself. The three-star linebacker told me today that contact with Kentucky recently has been light, noting, "I know they've been in contact with a lot of (other) guys." I didn't get the impression that Johnson had written Kentucky off. But based on what I've heard I think he's way down Kentucky's board.
Make no mistake about the fact that Josh Whyle is definitely the tight end that Kentucky would love to have to complement Brenden Bates on their 2018 commitment list. What a class that would be. Star power, would complement one another and would really bolster the depth chart for years to come with versatility, athleticism and all you want.
But they are going to cover their bases as you always will. Several other tight ends are on the radar. One tight end they have not offered yet, but that they have interest in, is Christoph Henle of Arlington (Tex.) The Oakridge School. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound three-star prospect has offers from Houston, Tulsa, UNLV and some smaller programs. Probably a down the road guy but don't forget the name.
If Whyle commits to Kentucky this spring then the Henle note and all other mentions of other tight ends are moot. They'd be done.
But Henle told me that he has been in contact with Michael Colosimo at Kentucky and if the summer arrives and they still need a tight end then they want him to camp. Assuming Kentucky doesn't have a second tight end by then (big assumption), Henle would be open to visiting and camping for an offer. Would be very interested.
I will say this about Whyle. I think he may be a little concerned about Bates' presence on the commitment list. It is really hard to get two marquee tight ends in the same class, even if you have a proven track record of success and rotating guys at the position. But UK will make the case that their depth chart needs to be filled out.
Lamar Thomas has recruited plenty in Florida but he also talks to guys elsewhere. One player from outside south Florida he's been in contact with is Spencer Gaddis, a 6-foot, 170-pound receiver from Alpharetta, Ga. No offer yet, but Gaddis has offers Utah, Tulane and Arkansas State. Gaddis seems super excited about Kentucky's interest.
Finally, I'm hearing that there is a belief, widespread but below the surface and at a number of different schools, that Michigan State's recruiting is potentially going to take a big hit in the near future. In part because of their big step backwards last year but having more to do, from what I've heard, with the rape case that has been ongoing and linked in some way to members of the football program.
