Kentucky Wildcats Football: Recruiting Still Hot

In the middle of the season sometimes it’s easy to focus on the games

and schedule and get a little tunnel vision. And why not, wins and losses are what all of the analysis and predictions and previews are about. For those twelve, or hopefully thirteen, days per Fall when Kentucky football kicks off to play a game and you can’t wait to see where it goes. So forgive the scribes if we occasionally put recruiting on the back burner during the season, especially after touting it so much during the break. So without further ado, here are some recruiting rumblings for you:

• Obviously you know that Kentucky picked up a commitment from Florida DE Jason Stowbridge yesterday. Rankings vary a bit but his offer list is VERY impressive. Not as impressive as it once was, but it’s also notable that everyone expected him to commit to Miami. Stowbridge is a physically impressive high schooler who might need a year to get his technique on par but he is definitely a big add. He has stated that he plans to take all of his official visits however, so the commitment may be a little soft. Hopefully the Cats get him on campus soon, Florida guys don’t typically like visiting with snow of the ground.
• Speaking of the Stowbridge news, someone was quick to ask me if I thought that affected Kentucky’s chances with Kengera Daniel. My response was no. Daniel continues to be one of UK’s top targets on the defensive line and could play inside or outside in college. It’s also worth noting that UK’s primary competition for Daniel’s LOI is Alabama, if he was worried about competing for playing time it would stand to reason that the Tide would not be a top choice.
• The other big news came today when 4* WR Alex Stump received an offer from Ohio State. Less than a year ago Stump referred to the Buckeyes as his “dream offer”, so it’s very notable. The good news is that he didn’t jump on the offer. Stump is a very loyal young man who really appreciates that Kentucky believed in him before anyone else did.
• Stump’s teammates Andrew and David Dowell are very interested in Kentucky and may be on the verge of committing soon. Vince Marrow and Mark Stoops were both in Cincinnati to watch the trio play on Saturday. Kentucky also offered 2016 prospect Tony Butler afterward. The Cats could be building a pipeline to the Nation’s #1 high school team.
• Kentucky is still recruiting several prospects that committed to other schools and many of them are at least still listening to what the Cats have to say. Offensive linemen George Brown and Nathan Gilliam are two to watch. Former UK commit and current Alabama pledge Montrell Custis might be another later in the year as the Tide reel in their latest haul of All Americans. They are also in the ear of Vanderbilt commit Josh Smith, the 4* linebacker whose brother plays for the Dores. Obviously Vandy’s struggles and a nice Kentucky win this weekend could go a long way.
• Perhaps UK’s top commit, CJ Conrad, is doing it all as a senior. He has returned two punts for touchdowns and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season this week in addition to catching scores.
• Kentucky is also recruiting a trio of Mississippi State commits pretty heavily. DB Maurice Smitherman has already said that he will take an official visit to Lexington and sounds more open than committed. The Cats are also after DB Chris Stamps, who is related to current Wildcat safety AJ Stamps. The coaches would also love to add LB Darrien McNair.
• Five Star RB Damien Harris recently did an interview and claimed that he had no favorites in his top five. That may be true or Harris may be showing respect to all of them programs that recruited him. I’ve heard for months now that it was down to Kentucky and Ohio State for the star.