Quarterback update
A couple of weeks ago I started to hear much more positive takes on Kentucky's chances with Connor Bazelak, the Archbishop Alter quarterback. I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe that was misguided, or that UK's position has slipped, but I don't think any commitment is imminent. I touched base with Bazelak today and it sounds like he's going to be taking trips to Georgia and NC State, as well as potentially others. Those two schools offered in recent days and I think he wants to give his new options a fair hearing. I know Vanderbilt is an option he likes and he does like Kentucky.
Staying on the quarterback theme, Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw checked in on Nik Scalzo at Cardinal Gibbons' recent spring game. Scalzo confirmed that with me but when I followed up with a question about what they've been saying recently, I haven't heard much. Interesting situation to say the least. He might be playing it tight lipped for a reason, or UK could be slow playing a little bit.
Moving on to the 2020 class, I did speak with Beau Allen after Michigan's offer. Seems like it was pretty much out of the blue. He suspects Harbaugh might have first been introduced to him at a camp he attended at USC (Harbaugh was there), but their interaction is new. He will be visiting, probably camping, but still plans to camp at Kentucky and I think the Wildcats are still in good shape. I will have more on his plans and the forecast in the next day or two. Duke, South Carolina and Georgia are other schools that he plans to visit this summer.
In-state recruiting surge?
It may be a snapshot in time, but I've got reason to believe Kentucky has really helped its cause with in-state prospects Wandale Robinson (offensive athlete) and JJ Weaver (pass rush specialist/DE/Jack). Weaver will be at the Rivals Camp in Nashville tomorrow so Dave Lackford can scout him and talk to him on our behalf. Excited to hear what he says. Of course, both players visited Kentucky this weekend and I've already posted about Robinson, but I'm hearing good things about both players so far as the Wildcats are concerned. If UK were to pull off either player it would be a major get because of where things stood even just a couple of weeks ago. Seems like Vince Marrow is making an impact.
Miscellaneous
Marvin Grant did postpone his decision date but I'm hearing Kentucky is still the almost certain choice barring some unforeseen developments.
I can confirm that four-star Florida prospects Jaden Davis and Braylen Ingraham are still planning to officially visit Kentucky on June 8th. Davis previously took official visits to Oklahoma and Penn State. Ingraham has only taken one official visit (Oklahoma). All of those trips took place in April, so the UK trip will be their first in a while. I'm hearing that Davis, at least (and maybe both) are going to take another official visit to another school on June 15th ... As of right now I would say Kentucky has a great shot with Davis and a solid shot with Ingraham. I don't think a lot of others have picked up on this, as there is not much buzz about UK/Davis, but this is coming from a very good source that's close to him, so ignore any reports that downplay UK's chances.
Isaiah Gibson, Springfield defensive tackle, was offered by Michigan State in recent days. That is definitely a situation to monitor closely. You might recall, his coach (Moe Douglass) told me that he was encouraging Gibson not to wait too long to make a decision. During that conversation he also told me in passing that he thought Gibson did want to wait to see what other offers came his way. If I had to guess I would say the MSU offer will, at the very least, serve as confirmation to Gibson that he will have other offers coming his way, and that the wait was worth it. I do think Kentucky is a strong option for him but I'm interested to see which way this situation tilts in the weeks ahead. It has never been a slam dunk for Kentucky but Marrow has done a good job recruiting him and there's definitely a UK pull.
Recent UK commitment Eli Cox still has not been ranked but I believe that will change shortly after this weekend. Rivals analysts know he's on the Nashville camp attendee list and they understandably would like to see him one last time before slapping a RR/star number onto him. Unfortunately, Cox's father told me that he's dealing with a recent hand injury and has not been cleared for a full go, so at less than 100-percent he will be limited in contact situations and that will keep him from participating in all aspects of the camp. Cox should be fine to camp at Kentucky.
A couple of weeks ago I started to hear much more positive takes on Kentucky's chances with Connor Bazelak, the Archbishop Alter quarterback. I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe that was misguided, or that UK's position has slipped, but I don't think any commitment is imminent. I touched base with Bazelak today and it sounds like he's going to be taking trips to Georgia and NC State, as well as potentially others. Those two schools offered in recent days and I think he wants to give his new options a fair hearing. I know Vanderbilt is an option he likes and he does like Kentucky.
Staying on the quarterback theme, Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw checked in on Nik Scalzo at Cardinal Gibbons' recent spring game. Scalzo confirmed that with me but when I followed up with a question about what they've been saying recently, I haven't heard much. Interesting situation to say the least. He might be playing it tight lipped for a reason, or UK could be slow playing a little bit.
Moving on to the 2020 class, I did speak with Beau Allen after Michigan's offer. Seems like it was pretty much out of the blue. He suspects Harbaugh might have first been introduced to him at a camp he attended at USC (Harbaugh was there), but their interaction is new. He will be visiting, probably camping, but still plans to camp at Kentucky and I think the Wildcats are still in good shape. I will have more on his plans and the forecast in the next day or two. Duke, South Carolina and Georgia are other schools that he plans to visit this summer.
In-state recruiting surge?
It may be a snapshot in time, but I've got reason to believe Kentucky has really helped its cause with in-state prospects Wandale Robinson (offensive athlete) and JJ Weaver (pass rush specialist/DE/Jack). Weaver will be at the Rivals Camp in Nashville tomorrow so Dave Lackford can scout him and talk to him on our behalf. Excited to hear what he says. Of course, both players visited Kentucky this weekend and I've already posted about Robinson, but I'm hearing good things about both players so far as the Wildcats are concerned. If UK were to pull off either player it would be a major get because of where things stood even just a couple of weeks ago. Seems like Vince Marrow is making an impact.
Miscellaneous
Marvin Grant did postpone his decision date but I'm hearing Kentucky is still the almost certain choice barring some unforeseen developments.
I can confirm that four-star Florida prospects Jaden Davis and Braylen Ingraham are still planning to officially visit Kentucky on June 8th. Davis previously took official visits to Oklahoma and Penn State. Ingraham has only taken one official visit (Oklahoma). All of those trips took place in April, so the UK trip will be their first in a while. I'm hearing that Davis, at least (and maybe both) are going to take another official visit to another school on June 15th ... As of right now I would say Kentucky has a great shot with Davis and a solid shot with Ingraham. I don't think a lot of others have picked up on this, as there is not much buzz about UK/Davis, but this is coming from a very good source that's close to him, so ignore any reports that downplay UK's chances.
Isaiah Gibson, Springfield defensive tackle, was offered by Michigan State in recent days. That is definitely a situation to monitor closely. You might recall, his coach (Moe Douglass) told me that he was encouraging Gibson not to wait too long to make a decision. During that conversation he also told me in passing that he thought Gibson did want to wait to see what other offers came his way. If I had to guess I would say the MSU offer will, at the very least, serve as confirmation to Gibson that he will have other offers coming his way, and that the wait was worth it. I do think Kentucky is a strong option for him but I'm interested to see which way this situation tilts in the weeks ahead. It has never been a slam dunk for Kentucky but Marrow has done a good job recruiting him and there's definitely a UK pull.
Recent UK commitment Eli Cox still has not been ranked but I believe that will change shortly after this weekend. Rivals analysts know he's on the Nashville camp attendee list and they understandably would like to see him one last time before slapping a RR/star number onto him. Unfortunately, Cox's father told me that he's dealing with a recent hand injury and has not been cleared for a full go, so at less than 100-percent he will be limited in contact situations and that will keep him from participating in all aspects of the camp. Cox should be fine to camp at Kentucky.
