Kentucky Wildcats Football: New Faces Litter Recruiting Board
On defense Kentucky has needs at most positions. They have done will with defensive linemen thus far in this class but Kentucky could take 1 more. A possibility there is former Nebraska commit Antoine Miles, a 3* defensive end from Ohio. Another option is JUCO player Raphael Cox, who can play inside and outside and has scheduled an official visit. Cox is a 2* prospect. Also include Lovell Peterson, a 3* who could play offense or defense for the Wildcats. Another name to watch is 4* DT Ben Bradley, who backed off his UT commitment last week and is now considering the Vols, the Wildcats and Nebraska. The most intriguing development is with local star Jason Hatcher, a blue chip Southern Cal commitment. Hatcher likely isn’t a new name to you, but his interest in Kentucky sure is. It is a longshot, but Hatcher would be the jewel of this recruiting class.
Kentucky fans seem to be lamenting the fact that UK currently has no linebacker commitments in this class and view it as a position of need. In reality, the team has at least 10 able bodies to play 3 linebacker spots. There may be more depending on what they do with the former hybrid guys. That being said, Kentucky has recently gotten involved with Courtney Love, a Marrow recruit for Nebraska. Love is expected to enroll in January so time is short if Kentucky is going to flip him. The word is, however, that Marrow is very important to him and not to underestimate that factoring into the final decision. Recently Louisiana 3* Duke Riley tweeted that he had picked up a UK offer, then subsequently got one from LSU. The only other new name at linebacker appears to be Florida LB/ATH George Williams, a 3*. He boasts an impressive highlight reel that showcases a young man who seems to play angry, with reckless disregard for his safety and that of others.
Finally, people may not realize this after watched Kentucky’s defense last year. But UK actually has some nice young talent in the secondary. What they lack is depth. 3* corner Brisly Estime recently committed to Iowa State but just last week said he would commit on the spot if Kentucky offered. Kentucky recently got involved with another 3* Florida cornerback, Sean Paul. Aregeros Turner and Godwin Igwebuike could both end up on defense in college. Beyond that, there aren’t many “new” names at DB, mostly just renewed interest from players that Kentucky has been involved with. MacKensie Alexander, Jaleel Hytchyte, and Boaz Joseph have all expressed an interest in playing for Stoops.
That’s a lot of change in a short period of time on the Kentucky recruiting board but the level of player that these coaches are pursuing is impressive. Expect more new names to pop up as signing day nears and don’t be surprised to see UK sign some more JUCOs this year. With approximately 14 current commitments, it does seem like the coaches plan on signing a full 25-man class in February.