Vince Marrow Recognized For Recruiting Success With Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the dust has settled and the ink has dried, Kentucky Wildcat fans can rejoice in what is officially the best recruiting class in the history of recruiting rankings. It was a total team effort, as all of the coaches and staff have to be praised for the tedious and diligent work they put in on the recruiting trail. Getting into uncharted territory by hauling in double digit 4* recruits is something Kentucky desperately needed if they ever wanted to truly compete in the SEC. And they finally did it.

With a revamped coaching staff on hand, it was known from day one that recruiting would be the basis and foundation for a new era in Kentucky football. And despite being low in the win column last season, these recruits formed a bond that was not going to be broken in helping the Wildcats turn the ship around. However, one thing was different about this class from other. That was their presence in Ohio, where they hauled in an impressive seven of the top 25 recruits in the state. Only Ohio State and Michigan have ever competed with those numbers in a talent-laden state.

So why were the ‘Cats able to get such an impressive haul from the Buckeye state? The answer lies in one man…TE Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Vince Marrow! An impressive haul, Vince pulled in 11 total prospects. Five of the 11 recruits were rated 4* and all of the commitments he received were from the state of Ohio. These eye-popping stats, at least by Kentucky’s standards, were enough to garner the big guy some recognition on a national level. Vince Marrow was named one of the top-25 recruiters in the nation by Rivals for the 2014 recruiting cycle. Here’s what they had to say.

"Vince Marrow, KentuckyBuzz: Marrow is Kentucky’s version of Thigpen, a guy who came in and set his sights on the top prospects on Kentucky’s board and delivered many of them to Lexington. On Signing Day, four-stars Nick Richardson, Dorian Baker, Darius West, Mike Edwards, Mikel Horton and three-stars Tymere Dubose, Josh Krok, Thaddeus Snodgrass, Dorian Hendrix and Darryl Long all signed with the ‘Cats and all were recruited by Marrow. All in all, he was responsible for more than one-third of the best class in Kentucky history. For his efforts, Marrow was rewarded with a raise and the title of Recruiting Coordinator. If Kentucky was one of the college football recruiting surprises of the year, Marrow was the reason why."

It is this effort and intentionality on the recruiting trail that got him a raise and title change that we all know about. It is for this reason that Mitch Barnhart and Mark Stoops have to do everything in their power to keep this man in Kentucky blue. And it is for this reason that Kentucky was able to make such an impact in Ohio recruiting and form that top-20 class that has been so elusive for them. If the next recruiting cycle is anything like this one, then the Wildcats can officially be said to be on the rise…behind the effort of Vince Marrow’s excellent recruiting. Stay tuned, folks. It’s going to be a fun time!