Kansas Jayhawks game will answer questions about Kentucky Wildcats basketball platoon

Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

As the ugly losses mount, some Kentucky Wildcats fans are starting worry that the wheels are going to fall off Mark Stoops’ recruiting momentum. Drake Jackson has been thought to be close to a sure thing for UK for a while, but Ohio State recently offered. After the Alex Stump situation, some Kentucky Wildcats fans wonder if this may be a game changer in Jackson’s recruitment.

"The 6-foot-2, 288-pound center has offers from some of the top programs in SEC country, including Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The Buckeyes offered him on Thursday night, when Jackson called tight ends coach Tim Hinton on the phone. “[The Buckeyes] told me that I was an offerable player a long time ago,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors. “I called Ohio State on Thursday night, and Coach Hinton told me that I have an offer now.” Jackson was beyond excited to learn about the offer from Ohio State. “I was so hyped,” he said with a laugh. “It’s something that I set as a goal, and now I’ve reached it.” Jackson has certainly traveled enough to earn an offer; during the offseason, he went to Columbus for two unofficial visits and two football camps since last season. Jackson had nothing but good things to say about the visits, and he said he enjoyed getting to see the facilities. “It is really cool to see the ins and outs of a top program like Ohio State,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors. “I love the facilities. It seems like a great place to spend four years at.” Another thing Jackson likes about Ohio State is that two Buckeyes are starting centers in the NFL. Nick Mangold has been a star for the New York Jets since he was drafted in 2006, making five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. Corey Linsley did not expect to start as a rookie, but he has had a Pro Bowl-caliber season for the Green Bay Packers. Jackson was well aware of Mangold and Linsley’s position in the league, and he said it speaks well of OSU’s development ability. “It is important to me because it proves that they can put that position in the NFL. Especially because Linsley is my size.”"

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

One recruit that Kentucky Wildcats football fans will not have to worry about is Florida safety Marcus Walker. Walker has been the subject of rumors over the past few months, but he remains fully committed to UK.

"Lake Wales (Fla.) safety Marcus Walker (6-foot-0.5, 176) has committed to Kentucky twice during the recruiting process. Walker says that there will be no more entertaining other schools. The Florida native was rumored to be visiting Michigan State for the Ohio State game but that never materialized. He says that he does not plan to take any visits other than one to Lexington on Dec. 13. Lake Wales’ season ended on Friday at the hands of Spoto. The defensive back reflected on his season. “The team season went well we came together as a family and learned more about the game! I played good for the last half of the season. I became a better leader and a role model I’ve been told,” Walker told CatsPause.com. Walker is excited to get to Lexington and start the next chapter of his football career. “The coaching staff is incredible and [I] have the opportunity to start right away as a freshman. College football has been my dream since [I was] five and I thank the lord for my talents he blessed me with.” The Sunshine State product is a ball-hawking yet physical player in the secondary. He talks about what motivates him on the field. “Just to have a better life for my family and provide for my parents! Also [I] wanna show kids it can actually happen when you dedicate yourself to the game.”"