This will be a longer post so instead of Insider Notes it'll be titled a War Room.
It's a relatively quiet period right now although some guys will be visiting later this month. So there's not going to be a whole lot of breaking news. This is instead an effort to round up what we know, to put all the big names from the remaining target pool in one place, and try to infer how we ought to read some of these situations.
- I know there was an update on RB Latavian Tomlinson recently but Kentucky is done at running back with Torrance Davis and Jutahn McClain.
- WR Michael Drennen is an even more real possibility for Kentucky because of recent developments with Ohio State's class. But that does not mean he is automatically a Wildcat. UK is my pick but it wouldn't be wise to think this is over.
- If Drennen goes elsewhere it's possible UK could take another receiver but might fall to a best available situation.
- WR Marcellus Moore could be one of those players who eventually finds himself in the best available category, but it's a tough balancing act with other schools maybe making him more of a priority in the meantime.
- Georgia track standout Jamoi Mayes, recently offered by Kansas State, is a name that I've learned was on the radar at one point. He tried to set a visit to Kentucky but was told they are full. Which in my mind means either Drennen or bust or he's Mayes wasn't that high on the board.
- OL Deondre Buford is still, as I've said many times, someone you should feel good about but may have to wait on until October or so until he announces his decision.
- While many of Kentucky's former offensive tackle options have told us that the Cats have slowed in their pursuit, lending to the possibility that the Cats may be finished with three o-tackles in the '20 class, Vanderbilt offensive line commitment Bradley Ashmore is a name to keep in the back of your mind.
- DT Octavious Oxendine was the subject of a story by Woody Wommack recently and the four-star prospect talked Texas, Tennessee and UK. The Longhorns seem to have his attention on some level. UK is hopeful. Have never felt like it's a slam dunk or close and this one's more "too close to call, too early to say" than anything and will require ongoing effort because Oxendine has never been an obvious Wildcat. UK is selling him on joining up with Justin Rogers and dominating up the middle.
- DE Tre'Vonn Rybka is down to Kentucky and Tennessee and will announce on August 20th. Smart money is on Kentucky landing the four-star defensive lineman from the Volunteer State. Would give Kentucky one of the best d-line classes in the nation.
- DE Tyler Baron has been mentioned here quite a bit lately and he confirmed to us that Kentucky has been aggressive in pursuit. Tennessee is the clubhouse favorite and I wouldn't go against the tide at this point but the Wildcats do believe they have a very legitimate shot here, a much better chance than the industry at large seems to grant them.
- DE commit Samuel Anaele told me when he committed that he would officially visit Florida and Auburn. I know it has been reported elsewhere that he will not take any other trips but Anaele has not ruled out that possibility to me. At the very least, as with any Rivals100 prospect especially one who has already flipped once, after a single official visit as with Anaele and Kentucky, this is a situation to watch over the last half of the year but he seems very happy with his choice.
- Five-star DL Justin Rogers seems to be much more solid than pretty much anyone with an earlier opinion could have predicted. Long way to go, but if you had been told this is how it would look when he verballed, anyone would have jumped on that.
- DL Abraham Alabi is a guy who is still probably down the board.
- USF linebacker commit Chance Coleman is someone the staff is taking a look at but it's too early to tell where exactly he would fall on the board or how that would play out.
- JUCO DB Marco Domio is a tough guy to figure. With LSU apparently out (although I did hear someone recently speculate that might not be totally over; I don't think it'll happen but worth noting), UK seemed to rise significantly as an option. But those who I've spoke with just have no clue what he's thinking about everything. They know he likes Kentucky but he is apparently a very private kid and people don't even feel comfortable bugging him about finalists, other visits or timetables. They want him to announce quickly but they need a JUCO and the ball's in his court.
- JUCO DB Brian George is the other main JUCO defensive back besides Domio to keep an eye on. If Domio doesn't commit in the next couple of months, I've said he will probably officially visit Kentucky early in the fall.
- DB Makari Paige is trending towards Michigan according to everyone including myself based on those who are most familiar. Stranger things have happened than another change of course but right now UK would need something to change. He announces this month.
- Penn State DB commit Enzo Jennings is probably someone UK currently has a better chance with than Paige even though he's pledged elsewhere. Steven Clinkscale is not going to back off Jennings and there is a real hope, I'd even say an expectation, that Kentucky is able to flip him. Note, I am not predicting that myself but I have heard that level of optimism. Take that for what it's worth.
- Michigan DB commit Andre Seldon has kept the lines of communication with Kentucky open but nothing here suggests he's going to flip to the Cats.
- DB Carrington Valentine seems to be the most likely remaining high school cornerback still on the board to commit to Kentucky. The Wildcats have the momentum right now and have for a little while. It's very likely Kentucky tries to end their corner class with Andru Phillips, Valentine and Domio or another JUCO. That would be a wrap.
- DB Vito Tisdale remains one of the Cats' top safety prospects and right now I have no reason to doubt the confidence I've heard for weeks. Kentucky is still my pick.
- DB Jamal Potts was supposed to officially visit Kentucky at some point but the trip was pushed back, apparently UK's doing, and has not been rescheduled to my knowledge.
- DB Rickey Hyatt Jr has been predominantly Michigan State on the Rivals Forecast but Kentucky has been optimistic based on the chatter I have heard and he told me that he is visiting UK later this month, likely an unofficial with an official later. He could end up at MSU or somewhere else, it has never been a locked done deal, but I think this one actually has the feel of one that's favorable to the Cats.
- ATH Eric Shaw is still at a top seven that includes Kentucky, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M. I would not predict Kentucky right now however.
This is not a fully exhaustive list of the guys Kentucky is after but my prediction for the class as of today is as follows:
QB Beau Allen
RB Torrance Davis
RB Jutahn McClain
WR Kalil Branham
WR Izayah Cummings
WR Jordan Watkins
WR Earnest Sanders
WR Michael Drennen
OL John Young
OL Joshua Jones
OL Deondre Buford
OL - I would guess they take another but not sure
DL - Justin Rogers
DL - Samuel Anaele
DL - Tre'Vonn Rybka
DL - Octavious Oxendine but low confidence
LB - D'Eryk Jackson
Two more edge defenders/OLBs
DB - Andru Phillips
DB - Carrington Valentine
DB - Marco Domio or another JUCO
DB - Vito Tisdale
DB - Rickey Hyatt
That is 24 and probably a stretch so if you are subtracting one or two look at the fourth OL question mark and whether they take three total linebackers.
It's a relatively quiet period right now although some guys will be visiting later this month. So there's not going to be a whole lot of breaking news. This is instead an effort to round up what we know, to put all the big names from the remaining target pool in one place, and try to infer how we ought to read some of these situations.
- I know there was an update on RB Latavian Tomlinson recently but Kentucky is done at running back with Torrance Davis and Jutahn McClain.
- WR Michael Drennen is an even more real possibility for Kentucky because of recent developments with Ohio State's class. But that does not mean he is automatically a Wildcat. UK is my pick but it wouldn't be wise to think this is over.
- If Drennen goes elsewhere it's possible UK could take another receiver but might fall to a best available situation.
- WR Marcellus Moore could be one of those players who eventually finds himself in the best available category, but it's a tough balancing act with other schools maybe making him more of a priority in the meantime.
- Georgia track standout Jamoi Mayes, recently offered by Kansas State, is a name that I've learned was on the radar at one point. He tried to set a visit to Kentucky but was told they are full. Which in my mind means either Drennen or bust or he's Mayes wasn't that high on the board.
- OL Deondre Buford is still, as I've said many times, someone you should feel good about but may have to wait on until October or so until he announces his decision.
- While many of Kentucky's former offensive tackle options have told us that the Cats have slowed in their pursuit, lending to the possibility that the Cats may be finished with three o-tackles in the '20 class, Vanderbilt offensive line commitment Bradley Ashmore is a name to keep in the back of your mind.
- DT Octavious Oxendine was the subject of a story by Woody Wommack recently and the four-star prospect talked Texas, Tennessee and UK. The Longhorns seem to have his attention on some level. UK is hopeful. Have never felt like it's a slam dunk or close and this one's more "too close to call, too early to say" than anything and will require ongoing effort because Oxendine has never been an obvious Wildcat. UK is selling him on joining up with Justin Rogers and dominating up the middle.
- DE Tre'Vonn Rybka is down to Kentucky and Tennessee and will announce on August 20th. Smart money is on Kentucky landing the four-star defensive lineman from the Volunteer State. Would give Kentucky one of the best d-line classes in the nation.
- DE Tyler Baron has been mentioned here quite a bit lately and he confirmed to us that Kentucky has been aggressive in pursuit. Tennessee is the clubhouse favorite and I wouldn't go against the tide at this point but the Wildcats do believe they have a very legitimate shot here, a much better chance than the industry at large seems to grant them.
- DE commit Samuel Anaele told me when he committed that he would officially visit Florida and Auburn. I know it has been reported elsewhere that he will not take any other trips but Anaele has not ruled out that possibility to me. At the very least, as with any Rivals100 prospect especially one who has already flipped once, after a single official visit as with Anaele and Kentucky, this is a situation to watch over the last half of the year but he seems very happy with his choice.
- Five-star DL Justin Rogers seems to be much more solid than pretty much anyone with an earlier opinion could have predicted. Long way to go, but if you had been told this is how it would look when he verballed, anyone would have jumped on that.
- DL Abraham Alabi is a guy who is still probably down the board.
- USF linebacker commit Chance Coleman is someone the staff is taking a look at but it's too early to tell where exactly he would fall on the board or how that would play out.
- JUCO DB Marco Domio is a tough guy to figure. With LSU apparently out (although I did hear someone recently speculate that might not be totally over; I don't think it'll happen but worth noting), UK seemed to rise significantly as an option. But those who I've spoke with just have no clue what he's thinking about everything. They know he likes Kentucky but he is apparently a very private kid and people don't even feel comfortable bugging him about finalists, other visits or timetables. They want him to announce quickly but they need a JUCO and the ball's in his court.
- JUCO DB Brian George is the other main JUCO defensive back besides Domio to keep an eye on. If Domio doesn't commit in the next couple of months, I've said he will probably officially visit Kentucky early in the fall.
- DB Makari Paige is trending towards Michigan according to everyone including myself based on those who are most familiar. Stranger things have happened than another change of course but right now UK would need something to change. He announces this month.
- Penn State DB commit Enzo Jennings is probably someone UK currently has a better chance with than Paige even though he's pledged elsewhere. Steven Clinkscale is not going to back off Jennings and there is a real hope, I'd even say an expectation, that Kentucky is able to flip him. Note, I am not predicting that myself but I have heard that level of optimism. Take that for what it's worth.
- Michigan DB commit Andre Seldon has kept the lines of communication with Kentucky open but nothing here suggests he's going to flip to the Cats.
- DB Carrington Valentine seems to be the most likely remaining high school cornerback still on the board to commit to Kentucky. The Wildcats have the momentum right now and have for a little while. It's very likely Kentucky tries to end their corner class with Andru Phillips, Valentine and Domio or another JUCO. That would be a wrap.
- DB Vito Tisdale remains one of the Cats' top safety prospects and right now I have no reason to doubt the confidence I've heard for weeks. Kentucky is still my pick.
- DB Jamal Potts was supposed to officially visit Kentucky at some point but the trip was pushed back, apparently UK's doing, and has not been rescheduled to my knowledge.
- DB Rickey Hyatt Jr has been predominantly Michigan State on the Rivals Forecast but Kentucky has been optimistic based on the chatter I have heard and he told me that he is visiting UK later this month, likely an unofficial with an official later. He could end up at MSU or somewhere else, it has never been a locked done deal, but I think this one actually has the feel of one that's favorable to the Cats.
- ATH Eric Shaw is still at a top seven that includes Kentucky, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M. I would not predict Kentucky right now however.
This is not a fully exhaustive list of the guys Kentucky is after but my prediction for the class as of today is as follows:
QB Beau Allen
RB Torrance Davis
RB Jutahn McClain
WR Kalil Branham
WR Izayah Cummings
WR Jordan Watkins
WR Earnest Sanders
WR Michael Drennen
OL John Young
OL Joshua Jones
OL Deondre Buford
OL - I would guess they take another but not sure
DL - Justin Rogers
DL - Samuel Anaele
DL - Tre'Vonn Rybka
DL - Octavious Oxendine but low confidence
LB - D'Eryk Jackson
Two more edge defenders/OLBs
DB - Andru Phillips
DB - Carrington Valentine
DB - Marco Domio or another JUCO
DB - Vito Tisdale
DB - Rickey Hyatt
That is 24 and probably a stretch so if you are subtracting one or two look at the fourth OL question mark and whether they take three total linebackers.
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