Kentucky Wildcats Football: Recruiting Update

With National Signing Day a week away Kentucky’s signing class is in limbo.

The happenings of the next seven days will put a stamp on the future of the program. Kentucky fans are looking at flips, to and from the Wildcats, late additions, and long awaited decisions. With all of the other things going on around the program, maybe it would be nice to just read about some recruiting.

• Last night Kentucky offered Hubbard Ohio athlete Isaiah Scott, the brother of Michigan State commit LJ Scott. The Cats would also love to land the running back but Isaiah’s offer is not contingent on anything his brother does. Bill Greene has already placed Scott on commitment watch and the Wildcats are in good standing. Scott is listed as both a linebacker and wide reciver by recruiting services but the feeling is that he’s a defensive prospect for Kentucky.
• This week UK added a preferred walk-on at quarterback in Louisville’s Davis Mattingly. Mattingly was hoping for a scholarship offer but will still be a part of the program after a senior season where he reportedly made great strides.
• Four star cornerback Marcus Lewis will decide between UK and Miami on February 3^rd. Several Miami sources seem to think that he will not be a Cane. If that means UK will be the choice then this class is a roaring success. The Miami folks seem to think he won’t choose them because of grades, which doesn’t make sense. Regardless of the reason, adding Lewis would be a huge win for UK.
• It’s no secret that Kentucky wants to add some wide receivers before this class is finished. Most expect Tavin Richardson to announce for the Wildcats this week and UK can have Kayaune Ross if they want him, but it’s the targets that they are still pursuing that will keep fans on their seats. The top target is former Illinois commit AD Miller. Miller was thought to a UK lean until a recent official visit to Cal and an offer from Oklahoma. Miller possesses the top potential to be a #1 wideout among the targets. They have also recently gotten involved with four star Washington State commit Dahu Green, who is also being pursued by the Sooners. Ending up with either would be a big get for Kentucky.
• Kentucky is worriedly watching defensive end commits Jason Stowbridge and Tyrone Riley as the big day approaches. Both took official visits to ACC schools, with Stowbridge going to North Carolina and Riley NC State. Stowbridge has now set up an announcement for his “final” decision on Signing Day, which doesn’t seem to bode well for the Wildcats. Riley seems to be solid at this point.
• It seems that Kentucky will look to the junior college ranks to make up for potential losses along the defensive line. They have already hosted JUCO DE Courtney Miggins and he is reportedly down to UK and Mississippi State. The Cats are also looking at Hinds CC DE Peter Bailey, who is currently committed to MTSU.
• Kentucky already has Jordan Jones and Eli Brown at linebacker in this class. But they want to add another. Vanderbilt commit Josh Smith is the guy they really want but the chances of that happening are slim. The Cats made headway with Mississippi State commit Darrien McNair on his official visit but that relationship seems to have cooled as well. The impact of transfer Courtney Love could keep the staff from signing another linebacker in this class.
• This weekend is the last chance to get players on campus before Signing Day and Kentucky already has two targets scheduled to be in town. Florida defensive back Derrick Baity doesn’t hold an offer at this point but could be a take if they miss on Lewis. Louisville commit Aaron Cochran will also visit. Cochran is an interesting prospect as a jumbo athlete. The Cards are telling him that he will play fullback/tight end at Louisville but he fits the mold as a pass rusher for Stoops’ defense. Bud Dupree’s transformation from three star tight end to first round pass rusher should be helpful. As it’s the last weekend, expect some last minute names to pop up as well.