Headlines: the Kentucky Wildcats Survive in Gainesville

Last Wednesday Stoops and company were hard at work for National Signing Day. Bringing in the 35th best class according to Rivals, shouldn’t the BBN be excited? Well, that was not the case. After countless decommitments, the faithful sorta lost their faith. UKAthletics.com has more:

"“As you all know and have been following, it’s been a little bit of a grind,” Stoops said. Stoops had just put a bow on his third recruiting class as Kentucky head coach. After reeling in a record haul the first time around and doing it again in 2014 with a group remarkable for its lack of turnover, the 2015 ride had, in his words, some “ups and downs.” The downs were very public, with a handful of longtime pledges opting to de-commit and go elsewhere in January. For the first time since his arrival in late 2012, momentum seemed to trend in the wrong direction. But not for long. By securing a number of late commitments, Stoops and his staff put together a 23-member class – the exact number they set out to hit – that ranked 35th nationally as of Wednesday afternoon according to Rivals.com. Outside of Stoops’ first two classes – rated 29th and 17th, respectively – it’s the best in the history of the ranking service and the ranking doesn’t take into account Nebraska transfers Courtney Love and Greg Hart. “There are some very good football players that are going to be joining us and very excited to have them,” Stoops said. “So just overall very pleased, very happy. I really appreciate our staff. I feel like this group of coaches worked extremely hard. They work relentlessly, around the clock, did an awful lot of traveling, and really worked hard to hold this class together.”"

Nov 1, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops on the sidelines during a timeout during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Missouri won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

According to ZagsBlog.com, Malik Newman could – after all – land here at Kentucky. Although it will most likely be a while (April or May) before we find out any truth to that report.

"Horatio Webster, Newman’s father, recently said that Kentucky coach John Calipari is accomplishing something “special” in Lexington. “It’s special what Coach Cal is doing down there because [to keep] almost a McDonald’s All-American together and all of them jell as one, that takes a special coach to do that,” Webster said in a radio interview with Sunday Morning Sports Talk on 630 WLAP out of Lexington, Ky. “In order to keep everybody happy and keep a smile on everybody’s face. That team could’ve went any way, it could’ve been a disaster or it could turn out like it is now. And you have to give Coach Cal and his staff all the credit for that. I don’t know how he did it, I don’t know how he do it, but that’s why he gets paid the big bucks.” Kentucky signee Isaiah Briscoe was also in touch with Newman after committing to the Wildcats, and a source close to Briscoe believes Newman will ultimately land there, joining Briscoe and Charles Matthews as incoming guards. Webster also says his son won’t announce until the spring signing period, which runs April 15-May 20."