Here's the pool of players with relevant interest in Kentucky who could/should be making decisions over the next month before the start of the high school and/or college football seasons.
RB Mike Warren - The former UK commit and three-star running back recently told one of his local news outlets that he's narrowed his focus to Kentucky, Iowa State and Toledo. Among those eliminated recently were Louisville (they did not offer) and Boston College (they did offer). Forecast: As of right now it looks like Warren will pick Kentucky.
DE B.J. Sharpe - I haven't heard much from UK sources about him, but I think Kentucky's still in good shape. Sharpe, for all practical purposes, is down to Kentucky and Mississippi State. Kentucky led even after a recent trip to Mississippi State. Assuming he would be a take, and I think he would be, he'll be a good player in the SEC. Forecast: Kentucky leads Mississippi State.
DE Jabreel Stephens - His visit to Kentucky went well but his visit to Louisville also went well. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds he's not the biggest guy and I don't think Kentucky is taking another Jack. So, do they want him as a defensive end? Really not sure. Kentucky and Louisville are his co-favorites. I'm not sure if Stephens will make a preseason decision but he could. Forecast: Give Louisville a slight advantage over Kentucky right now.
WR Juwan Burgess - The three-star athlete from Florida will announce his decision on Wednesday (yes, that's tomorrow). I haven't heard anything definitive about where he will end up, although there are plenty of people who believe Southern Cal will be the choice. There is a decent reason to believe Kentucky could be in the top two or three schools here and it would not completely shock me if Burgess were to pick the Cats. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Burgess to Southern Cal but don't rule UK out.
DL James Hudson - Kentucky's former four-star defensive line commitment has narrowed his focus to Michigan and Michigan State. Rumor has it he will land in East Lansing with the Spartans. Forecast: Hudson will pick Michigan State very shortly.
OT Jedrick Wills - Kentucky isn't giving up its pursuit of Wills. My personal belief is what many have voiced as their own opinion: The smart move for Wills is to save a spot with Alabama and leave open the possibility of picking Kentucky if he's impressed by them later this year. That does not mean I think he will ultimately end up with Kentucky. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Wills commits to Alabama before the season and sticks with them through Signing Day, but UK still has long-term chance.
WR Danny Davis - All I know is Kentucky is in his top five and probably the favorite right now and sources close to Kentucky believe they are in the driver's seat with the four-star Springfield (Ohio) receiver. When I spoke with Davis not long ago, when he was in Lexington for Sunday Night Lights, he definitely put off the vibe of a player who felt very comfortable and right at home with Vince Marrow and all the other Ohio guys they're recruiting and those on the roster. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Davis picks UK before the season or during the season.
ATH Lynn Bowden - Other schools are not completely out of the running but Kentucky has the best chance to land the four-star Ohio athlete and the coaching staff really likes this guy, from what I've heard. Forecast: It's still possible Bowden makes a decision for Kentucky in the very near future; regardless of timing, UK has the best shot.
OT Thayer Munford - It really all depends on who ultimately offers this guy. He will not likely end up at Alabama with Wills and others still on their board, and considering Alabama already has four offensive line commitments. Will Ohio State offer him? Not sure but I doubt it. Just a numbers thing and he would be good enough to go there some years, from what I've been told. Forecast: Very difficult to call but of current offers I think UK is top 2-3.
QB Mac Jones - I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe anything new is imminent, but you saw that Kentucky gave their written offer to Jones yesterday. They still believe they have a shot and he is at least still listening. Since they won't wait forever, I'll make a prediction. Forecast: In the next month I think we'll find out with a lot more concrete confidence whether Jones is serious about a flip possibility or whether it won't happen (because UK doesn't want to wait forever).
One last point, re: Mac Jones. I'm of the belief that Kentucky really needs a second quarterback in 2017, if they're going to stick with what they've told Jarren Williams about not taking a second 2018 quarterback. If Kentucky does not start to pursue another 2017 QB, other than Jones, in a way that's pretty visible, I am probably going to interpret that as a sign that they still feel like they have a shot with Jones. Because I don't think it would be a good move to just bring on Walker Wood and Wood alone in 2017.
RB Mike Warren - The former UK commit and three-star running back recently told one of his local news outlets that he's narrowed his focus to Kentucky, Iowa State and Toledo. Among those eliminated recently were Louisville (they did not offer) and Boston College (they did offer). Forecast: As of right now it looks like Warren will pick Kentucky.
DE B.J. Sharpe - I haven't heard much from UK sources about him, but I think Kentucky's still in good shape. Sharpe, for all practical purposes, is down to Kentucky and Mississippi State. Kentucky led even after a recent trip to Mississippi State. Assuming he would be a take, and I think he would be, he'll be a good player in the SEC. Forecast: Kentucky leads Mississippi State.
DE Jabreel Stephens - His visit to Kentucky went well but his visit to Louisville also went well. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds he's not the biggest guy and I don't think Kentucky is taking another Jack. So, do they want him as a defensive end? Really not sure. Kentucky and Louisville are his co-favorites. I'm not sure if Stephens will make a preseason decision but he could. Forecast: Give Louisville a slight advantage over Kentucky right now.
WR Juwan Burgess - The three-star athlete from Florida will announce his decision on Wednesday (yes, that's tomorrow). I haven't heard anything definitive about where he will end up, although there are plenty of people who believe Southern Cal will be the choice. There is a decent reason to believe Kentucky could be in the top two or three schools here and it would not completely shock me if Burgess were to pick the Cats. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Burgess to Southern Cal but don't rule UK out.
DL James Hudson - Kentucky's former four-star defensive line commitment has narrowed his focus to Michigan and Michigan State. Rumor has it he will land in East Lansing with the Spartans. Forecast: Hudson will pick Michigan State very shortly.
OT Jedrick Wills - Kentucky isn't giving up its pursuit of Wills. My personal belief is what many have voiced as their own opinion: The smart move for Wills is to save a spot with Alabama and leave open the possibility of picking Kentucky if he's impressed by them later this year. That does not mean I think he will ultimately end up with Kentucky. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Wills commits to Alabama before the season and sticks with them through Signing Day, but UK still has long-term chance.
WR Danny Davis - All I know is Kentucky is in his top five and probably the favorite right now and sources close to Kentucky believe they are in the driver's seat with the four-star Springfield (Ohio) receiver. When I spoke with Davis not long ago, when he was in Lexington for Sunday Night Lights, he definitely put off the vibe of a player who felt very comfortable and right at home with Vince Marrow and all the other Ohio guys they're recruiting and those on the roster. Forecast: Most likely scenario is Davis picks UK before the season or during the season.
ATH Lynn Bowden - Other schools are not completely out of the running but Kentucky has the best chance to land the four-star Ohio athlete and the coaching staff really likes this guy, from what I've heard. Forecast: It's still possible Bowden makes a decision for Kentucky in the very near future; regardless of timing, UK has the best shot.
OT Thayer Munford - It really all depends on who ultimately offers this guy. He will not likely end up at Alabama with Wills and others still on their board, and considering Alabama already has four offensive line commitments. Will Ohio State offer him? Not sure but I doubt it. Just a numbers thing and he would be good enough to go there some years, from what I've been told. Forecast: Very difficult to call but of current offers I think UK is top 2-3.
QB Mac Jones - I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe anything new is imminent, but you saw that Kentucky gave their written offer to Jones yesterday. They still believe they have a shot and he is at least still listening. Since they won't wait forever, I'll make a prediction. Forecast: In the next month I think we'll find out with a lot more concrete confidence whether Jones is serious about a flip possibility or whether it won't happen (because UK doesn't want to wait forever).
One last point, re: Mac Jones. I'm of the belief that Kentucky really needs a second quarterback in 2017, if they're going to stick with what they've told Jarren Williams about not taking a second 2018 quarterback. If Kentucky does not start to pursue another 2017 QB, other than Jones, in a way that's pretty visible, I am probably going to interpret that as a sign that they still feel like they have a shot with Jones. Because I don't think it would be a good move to just bring on Walker Wood and Wood alone in 2017.
