Your Tuesday football recruiting update
By Paul Jordan
With the recent news of the tweet heard round the world, I thought I’d divert your attention to some more positive news today. Kentucky’s current football recruiting class is shaping up nicely and there are some talented prospects at different positions.
QB
Max Smith
Theltus Cobbins*
RB
N/A
WR
Antonio Cannon
Josh Forrest*
Nile Daniel*
Rashad Cunningham
Justin Bean
TE
Jon Davis*
Terrell Mitchell
OL
Darrian Miller
Zach West
Nick Martin
DL
Christian Coleman*
Shaq Love
LB
Blake Terry
DB
Daylen Hall
Ashley Lowery*
Glenn Faulkner
Riyahd Jones*
E.J. May
* – could play a different position than projected
So that’s a total of 20 current commitments. It’s not likely that Kentucky keeps everyone currently committed, but assuming they do, it looks like there are going to be precious few spot available in this class. Despite the expected arrival of greyshirt holdovers Jabari Johnson, Tim Patterson, and Farrington Huguenin, it also appears that the defensive line and linebacker positions will be the top priorities to wrap things up. Here are a few names to know.
Defensive Line:
Jakari Kinnie – DT – 6’2 / 320 – Gadsden, AL
This guy represents the type of run-stuffer Kentucky is looking for to plug up running lanes and contain some of the best running backs in the country. He’s from the same high school as current Wildcat Dale Trimble.
Isaiah Norton – DT – 6’5 / 300 – Dallas, TX
Norton’s recruitment has been hot/cold. But he recently backed off Baylor and is said to be down to UK or Purdue. He’s the type of DT that can provide Kentucky with an all-around player to stop the run and rush the pass.
David Washington – DT – 6’2 / 270 – Lovejoy, GA
He’s said Kentucky is his number one school for a while now and you have to think the staff will move on if he can’t decide to pull the trigger for the Cats in the relatively near future. He could actually play either DT or DE in college.
Ryan Smith – DT – 6’1 / 290 – Lexington, KY
He doesn’t currently hold an offer from UK, but is a sleeper to keep an eye on. He’s got great feet for a player his size and is right in the Wildcats’ back yard.
Terrance Coleman – DE – 6’2 / 245 – Wesson, MS
Coleman was at the South Carolina game and is considered by many people to be a top target for the staff. He’s a JUCO player with an excellent burst and the type of skill-set that would allow him to come in and play into the rotation from day one.
Mike Rose – DE – 6’4 / 215 – Simpsonville, SC
Rose is a little undersized to play defensive end, but he could see himself in a Ridge Wilson type role in college where he plays strong-side linebacker and moves down to the line to rush the passer. He is from the same high school as current Wildcat Brice Laughlin.
Dwight Jackson – DE – 6’2 / 220 – Miami, FL
Dwight Jackson is similar to Rose in that he could play linebacker or defensive end in college. He is extremely fast for either position. He plays at the same school that produced UK running back Brandon Gainer.
Linebacker:
Lamar Dawson – ILB – 6’2 / 230 – Danville, KY
There’s no question about who the staff’s top remaining target is, and he just so happens to be from right down the road in Boyle County. Linebacker coach Chuck Smith was at BC for years before moving on to Kentucky and he should be monumental in the Cats’ chances of landing Dawson.
Steven Daniels – ILB – 6’2 / 230 – Cincinnati, OH
He’s a big, strong linebacker prospect from right up I-75 and he has the potential to come in and challenge for playing time from the day he arrives on campus. He could play outside or inside linebacker in college.
Antonio Poole – OLB – 6’1 215 – Cincinnati, OH
Poole is a quick linebacker prospect that will be able to play either outside linebacker position at the college level. He is a cousin to current UK target Daniels.
Devaunte Sigler – OLB – 6’5 / 240 – Mobile, AL
Sigler might be considered a long shot to most Kentucky fans, but Tee Martin’s influence in Mobile has been obvious in his first year at Kentucky. Don’t count the Cats out yet for Sigler, who could play outside linebacker or defensive end for the Cats.
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