Kentucky Wildcat Football Recruiting: A look at a new KY powerhouse

Is it crazy to think that one high school could produce as many as eight college signees in one class? I’m sure it’s happened before, but it’s pretty rare in the state of Kentucky where having 3-4 guys sign their letter of intent is a big deal to even the biggest powerhouses. As crazy as the idea might be, there is a real possibility that Louisville’s DuPont Manual High School could do just that by this February.

#6 – Percy Minor – CB – 5’10 / 180
I’ve listed Minor as a cornerback, but he’s really more of an ‘athlete’ that can play multiple positions in college. He reportedly runs his forty-yard dash in the 4.4 range and has the size to go along with his wheels. While Kentucky hasn’t extended an official scholarship offer yet, he is a target and the Cats have been in touch. A good showing in the camps this summer followed by a big senior season, and he could very well be wearing blue next year.

#7 – DarMontre Warr – RB – 5’9 / 190
Most of the attention being paid to the running back in Louisville is going to Anthony Wales of Central High School and DeMichael Jackson of Jeffersontown High School, and for good reason. Both of these guys are tremendous athletes with the versatility to do a lot of different things on the college level. However, if I have to pick my favorite running back in the 2012 recruiting class from Kentucky, my pick is Darmontre Warr. He isn’t going to generate the stats that Wales and Jackson will simply because of all the other talented players he’s playing with, but he’s every bit as good. He’s a true every down back that can take the ball straight up the middle, or bounce a run outside and separate from defenders as a home-run threat. Kentucky hasn’t offered him yet, but has been involved. I would expect a formal scholarship offer in the near future or the Cats may risk losing ground to Louisville, Illinois, Indiana, and Western Kentucky, who have all already extended offers.

#17 – Quintez Sutton – WR – 6’2 / 180
The state of Kentucky’s 2012 class is looking like it will be a little light on true wide receivers. There are plenty of ‘athlete’ types that play running back or quarterback in high school that will project to receiver in college, but there aren’t many guys that are playing receiver now that have the type of talent necessary to play receiver at the next level too. Sutton is one of the few and the supply/demand factor should steadily increase his stock as the summer progresses. He’s certainly on Kentucky’s board, but he has yet to receive an offer. If he impresses during the June camps, he could have his offer shortly.

#21 – Trey Wells – CB – 5’11 / 190
The biggest obstacle any school wanting to snag Wells will have to overcome is the hardwood. Wells is a standout basketball player in addition to being one of the better defensive backs in the state this past year, and he will likely have the option of playing either sport. That being said, just about any 5’11 athlete has a brighter future on the football field and Wells is no exception. He won’t get the publicity some of his teammates will, but he has as much talent as any cornerback in the state.

#33 – Jake McNair – LB – 6’0 / 210
As part of a two-man wrecking crew, McNair tallied 87 total tackles in 2010. He’s not the biggest linebacker you’ll find, but he has adequate size to play at a BCS-school level. McNair is a ‘throw-back’ kind of guy that isn’t scared to run up into the line of scrimmage and throw his body around. He won’t blow anyone away at a combine, but he’s got all the natural strength you look for in a linebacker and plenty of athleticism to make a great college linebacker.

#41 – Jacob Ulinski – LB – 6’1 / 220
Most UK fans will recognize the name Ulinski from Jacob’s grandfather Harry or his older brother Dave. Harry Ulinski played on the offensive line and as a linebacker at UK and was an All-SEC selection. Dave Ulinski was a promising offensive lineman that gave up football this spring because of injuries and is part of the support staff now. Jacob is another old-school linebacker and his versatility will allow him to play in multiple schemes at the college level. Kentucky has been involved in his recruitment, but has not extended an offer.

#80 – Grayson Zuberer – TE – 6’4 / 210
One of the lesser known members of the Manual class of 2012, Zuberer has the type of natural size you can’t teach. He’s not blazing fast, but he has enough speed to stretch the middle of the field and the size to cause matchup problems for linebackers and defensive backs. You have probably never heard of him right now, but he could very well be a household name by December.

#92 – Thomas Chapman – DT – 6’4 / 290
Monster defensive tackles don’t grow on trees and you have to get as many good ones as you can when they’re available. Kentucky capitalized and got a commitment from Champman early this spring, and he’s the lone linemen in the class thus far. While his junior season was cut short by a knee injury, Chapman has as high of a ceiling as anyone in the state this year and should have plenty of time to rehab before arriving the summer of 2012. He should have a huge year this season as one of the most dominant forces in the city of Louisville.

While Kentucky is extremely unlikely to sign all of these guys, I would look for at least one or two to be added to the roster as signees or walk-ons.

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