Big Recruiting Weekend for Kentucky Football
Can the Cats Close the Deal?
Closer to Signing Day folks. There’s already been some major changes in the last few days. And yes, I’m aware that the basketball team won at LSU today. But that has also been covered to death and let’s be honest, did anybody really think it was going to be a game? This is a football weekend and the nightcaps are going to reflect that.
Some of you probably know by now, but Imani Cross chose Nebraska over Kentucky late Thursday night. It’s disappointing but like I said Wednesday, it’s not a major blow to this team. Cross is a talented running back and apparently an All-American young man, but Kentucky is stacked at RB and currently has a commitment from Dy’Shawn Mobley. Fans seem to have made his recruitment a statement about the Kentucky program. But in all honesty, if you take any kid in the country who is not from Kentucky, they will pick Nebraska 9 out of 10 times. The tradition alone gets them players. Good luck to Mr. Cross.
As everyone who follows recruiting knows, Georgia LB Khalid Henderson is on his official visit as you read this. This is the recruitment to follow, as Henderson plays a need position and decided to give Kentucky his final visit. Also it is a good barometer of UK’s recruiting abilities, as we face an Ole Miss program that is on approximately the same level of the SEC totem pole. The main reason to worry is the negative recruiting the Ole Miss coaches shot at him while in Oxford. Don’t want to say I told you so, but other coaches are using the vocal fans who are against Coach Phillips and his supposed hot seat to recruit against the Cats. Like Tee Martin said “ If you aren’t helping it, you’re hurting it.” Hopefully a talk with Danny Trevathan will warm Khalid to wearing blue.
Joining Henderson on his official visit are several interesting names. Both Daniel Ross and Tyrone Pearson are verbal commitments already but supposedly won’t qualify. However the staff felt it important to bring them in for a visit this weekend. That could mean good news for one or both of them. Pearson has maintained that he would make the grade for some time. Also in Lexington are NC State commit Janor Jones and Florida safety Sterling Wright. Jones is ATH who would likely play defensive back for the Cats. Wright originally signed with Jacksonville State last year but failed to qualify. He is a bit of a head-scratcher from both a talent and academic standpoint. There are also various mixed reports regarding Cincy WR Monty Madaris. His HS coach confirmed he was visiting Kentucky this weekend. Then Madaris apparently denied that he made it to Lexington. At this point you should assume he didn’t make it to town. It seems he may be down to Michigan State or UC, but both teams seem to be full at WR. His recruitment feels like one of those talented players who ends up in the MAC because he waited too long to take his offers with the big boys. Could play in Kentucky’s favor, but it rarely has in the past.