** Anthony Brown was a big-time get for Kentucky. I think highly of him as a player. Love how he gets off the line, love how he runs routes, reliable hands. Put him in the slot and he's going to be open a lot. Also the kind of guy who will hit big plays. He makes the game look pretty effortless. The Wan'Dale comparison is going to happen because he's a slot and we just watched Wan'Dale wow the country but they are different players in some key ways. Very legit four-star kid here and I think he's going to have a big impact at Kentucky.
** Feeling pretty good about Kentucky's chances with OL Naquil Betrand, who has said he will announce on 6/30. Most believe it's coming down to Kentucky, Syracuse, and Texas A&M with the Aggies hoping he would wait things out. It's been a while since Syracuse beat out Kentucky head to head for a kid. I believe UK was the frontrunner going into this month which is significant because he took his OV last month. However, my understanding was he was planning to take a couple more official visits rather than decide in July. If you buy that UK was the frontrunner (I do) and he is not taking other officials but deciding in late July, that has to bode well for Kentucky. Nobody has told me there has been a "lock it up, he's UK" conversation but that's just where I'd put my money if betting on it.
** Louisville CB de-commit Jeremiah Collins is a guy of interest but I think he's on the outside looking in for Kentucky right now. He does some really nice things as a corner. Speed is a question in my mind. Doesn't mean he might not be a take later on but as of right now it's not something that's being lined up.
** Speaking of corners who are/have been committed elsewhere, I am still not entirely writing off cornerback Cameron Calhoun. Refresher: He wanted to commit to Kentucky but they weren't prepared to accept his commitment earlier, and so he ended up pledging to WVU instead. Over time his heart wasn't in it, obviously, because he decommitted and is now on board with Cincinnati. I have not heard that Calhoun is going to flip again but there is some reason for me to believe communication might be ongoing and this just has the feel of a situation that could be worth keeping in the back of your head. Anthony Brown's commitment is going to turn some heads because he's a really well known and respected guy up that way.
** For many weeks I've said it's Ohio State or Kentucky for OLB Arvell Reese. One person told me that they believe OSU is probably going to decide whether to take Jalen Thompson (who UK was recruiting in Michigan) or Reese. Their measurables on Rivals are different but they are both EDGE defender prospects. UK obviously would prefer that the Buckeyes go in on Thompson vs Reese. What I've heard recently is the longer this goes on the better.
** Feeling pretty strongly about Woo Spencer ending up at Kentucky. Have learned more information and believe his academic standing is in a much better position and that speaks well of him to be able to buckle down, make it a priority, and have success. He would be the fourth offensive lineman. Travis heard last week that the timeline here is probably November...
** Many have wondered why Kentucky didn't go all in for highly ranked in-state prospects Micah Carter and Saadiq Clements, both of whom are now committed to Purdue. Honestly, I don't really understand not going after Clements. The way that guy is able to run, even just a 40, at that size, I just don't understand why you wouldn't take an in-state kid like that. I'm sure they have good reasons, like they saw something or didn't see something that was a red flag. But that's one decision that will be interesting to reassess down the road. Carter is pretty clear cut. I'm not really sure if he plays with an edge, so to speak, and he had a knee injury. Since then the big offers/interest haven't been there. Wish both of those guys well for sure, especially someone coming back from an injury.
Other than Clements one could ask why UK hasn't taken Oryend Fisher. I see both sides. He has a frame that I bet they'd love to be able to work with and he can run. I don't know how explosive he is firing off the ball and that would be a concern for me. The other thing: If they can get Fearbry from Pennsylvania and Wade from Tennessee, do you need to take someone you're hesitant on from your backyard? However, between Clements and Fisher, I probably would have taken at least one. The class is looking much better now than it did three weeks ago so these questions are a little less pressing.
** Feeling pretty good about Kentucky's chances with OL Naquil Betrand, who has said he will announce on 6/30. Most believe it's coming down to Kentucky, Syracuse, and Texas A&M with the Aggies hoping he would wait things out. It's been a while since Syracuse beat out Kentucky head to head for a kid. I believe UK was the frontrunner going into this month which is significant because he took his OV last month. However, my understanding was he was planning to take a couple more official visits rather than decide in July. If you buy that UK was the frontrunner (I do) and he is not taking other officials but deciding in late July, that has to bode well for Kentucky. Nobody has told me there has been a "lock it up, he's UK" conversation but that's just where I'd put my money if betting on it.
** Louisville CB de-commit Jeremiah Collins is a guy of interest but I think he's on the outside looking in for Kentucky right now. He does some really nice things as a corner. Speed is a question in my mind. Doesn't mean he might not be a take later on but as of right now it's not something that's being lined up.
** Speaking of corners who are/have been committed elsewhere, I am still not entirely writing off cornerback Cameron Calhoun. Refresher: He wanted to commit to Kentucky but they weren't prepared to accept his commitment earlier, and so he ended up pledging to WVU instead. Over time his heart wasn't in it, obviously, because he decommitted and is now on board with Cincinnati. I have not heard that Calhoun is going to flip again but there is some reason for me to believe communication might be ongoing and this just has the feel of a situation that could be worth keeping in the back of your head. Anthony Brown's commitment is going to turn some heads because he's a really well known and respected guy up that way.
** For many weeks I've said it's Ohio State or Kentucky for OLB Arvell Reese. One person told me that they believe OSU is probably going to decide whether to take Jalen Thompson (who UK was recruiting in Michigan) or Reese. Their measurables on Rivals are different but they are both EDGE defender prospects. UK obviously would prefer that the Buckeyes go in on Thompson vs Reese. What I've heard recently is the longer this goes on the better.
** Feeling pretty strongly about Woo Spencer ending up at Kentucky. Have learned more information and believe his academic standing is in a much better position and that speaks well of him to be able to buckle down, make it a priority, and have success. He would be the fourth offensive lineman. Travis heard last week that the timeline here is probably November...
** Many have wondered why Kentucky didn't go all in for highly ranked in-state prospects Micah Carter and Saadiq Clements, both of whom are now committed to Purdue. Honestly, I don't really understand not going after Clements. The way that guy is able to run, even just a 40, at that size, I just don't understand why you wouldn't take an in-state kid like that. I'm sure they have good reasons, like they saw something or didn't see something that was a red flag. But that's one decision that will be interesting to reassess down the road. Carter is pretty clear cut. I'm not really sure if he plays with an edge, so to speak, and he had a knee injury. Since then the big offers/interest haven't been there. Wish both of those guys well for sure, especially someone coming back from an injury.
Other than Clements one could ask why UK hasn't taken Oryend Fisher. I see both sides. He has a frame that I bet they'd love to be able to work with and he can run. I don't know how explosive he is firing off the ball and that would be a concern for me. The other thing: If they can get Fearbry from Pennsylvania and Wade from Tennessee, do you need to take someone you're hesitant on from your backyard? However, between Clements and Fisher, I probably would have taken at least one. The class is looking much better now than it did three weeks ago so these questions are a little less pressing.
