Kentucky Wildcats football: Recapping recruiting

Well, the 2014 recruiting class is shaping up quite nicely early in the process. The cats have seven known commitments at this point in time, and several others that are reportedly close to pulling the trigger. Here’s a quick rundown of the seven known commitments.

1. Dorian Hedrix – LB – OH
He’s a tough guy that loves to hit and inflict pain. Likely slates as a middle linebacker in Kentucky’s defense.
2. Kobie Walker – LB – MD
Tall (6’4) safety that projects as an outside linebacker in college. He’s rangy and should have no trouble covering tall tight ends.
3. Ty Dubose – DL – OH
Really raw player that only picked up football a year ago. Has prototypical height and weight (6’5 260) to play end or tackle in college.
4. Darryl Long – TE – OH
Athletic and long, he can be an immediate contributor in the new offense. Fills a dire need for the team at the tight end position.
5. Thad Snodgrass – WR – OH
Snodgrass is one of the most complete wide receivers Kentucky has gotten in the last three decades. He can do a little bit of everything and should play early and often.
6. Mikel Horton – RB – OH
More than just a sheer bruiser, Horton can block and catch the ball despite being built like a bulldozer. One of the most acclaimed running back recruits ever at Kentucky.
7. Drew Barker – QB – KY
He’s drawn comparisons to Tim Couch, but Barker is a completely different type of athlete. Deceptively mobile with savvy rarely seen in a teenager, Barker gives the staff a quarterback to build the class around.

As crazy as it is to say this class should be about halfway done by mid June. The staff is expected to take around 20 to 22 players, so three to four more pickups gets them to the halfway point. In the coming weeks, look for the following positions to be prioritized…

1. OFFENSIVE LINE
The Wildcats should probably load up on multiple offensive linemen this year. To effectively do this, the Kasti to look no further than the states it’s been so good to them so far, Ohio. I would expect the staff to take no fewer than four offensive lineman in this class.

2. DEFENSIVE BACK
The first domino on the defensive backfield has yet to fall, but that doesn’t mean it won’t soon. Again, the state of Ohio is expected to produce a lot of talent that Kentucky can target, and multiple players there are high on the Wildcats. Kentucky still desperately needs cornerbacks AND safeties, so versatile players like Mike Edwards and Darius West are extremely valuable.

3. WIDE RECEIVER
Kentucky signed for projected wide receivers in the 2013 class, and that still may not be enough. Snagging Snodgrass early in the process was a big win for Kentucky, but they’ll need more help than just him. It seems like Kentucky has offered a receiver in just about every state in the country. Guys like Braxton Berrios, Blake Bone, and TV Williams, should be top priorities.

4. DEFENSIVE LINE
The old saying is that you can never have enough defensive lineman, and that holds true even today. Stoops and his staff have targeted multiple defensive ends and tackles in various states and should be expected to sign at least four players at these positions.

These are exciting times to be Kentucky fan. The 2014 class is currently rated in the top 15 in the country, and could climb even hire more talented players being added daily. I’ll be taking next week off for vacation, but hopefully when I get back, we’ll have a couple more four-star players to add to the list.