Kentucky Wildcats: Time for Devin Booker to shake that slump

2 of 2

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Wildcats /

Kentucky Wildcats

There has been a lot of talk about Austin Kendall and the fact that Kentucky is heavily recruiting him. And it’s obvious that Austin Kendall likes Kentucky. But after de-committing from Tennessee, it is starting to look as if Kendall is not going to rush with his next college decision and will explore all his options.

"As a recruit, Kendall’s not even a month removed from de-committing from Tennessee. He committed to the Vols in August, but decided it was best to take a step back. “I committed early,” he said. “At the time, I thought it was the right choice. But over time, many things happened and it became clear that wasn’t the right fit.” Kendall has shifted his focus to a different SEC program, Kentucky, along with a traditional football powerhouse, Oklahoma. He finds the Wildcats and Sooners appealing in part due to a favorable depth chart. “They didn’t take a quarterback in ’15,” Kendall said. “That’s big.” Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley reached out to Kendall soon after National Signing Day. Riley’s connection to Kendall can be traced back to Riley’s days as an assistant at East Carolina. Kendall thinks the Sooners can be a match. “Their spread, pro-style offense fits what I do,” Kendall said. At Kentucky, Kendall notes his relationship with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson as a plus. In addition, the Wildcats were Kendall’s second choice before he committed to Tennessee. Kentucky’s appeal extends beyond the coaching staff and the possibility of early playing time, however. Kendall’s older brother, Ryan Kendall, is on the team as a walk-on and will be a sophomore next season. “Obviously if I want to go there it would be pretty cool to play with my brother,” he said. Kendall said he also hopes to get to Florida, where Doug Nussmeier is his lead recruiter, and to Auburn, where Rhett Lashlee is recruiting him. The Gators didn’t sign a 2015 quarterback either, and Auburn signed just one."

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, it is looking more and more like Messiah DeWeaver is not going to consider Kentucky seriously and that Kendall is the last chance for a top tier QB in 2016. DeWeaver, who de-committed from Michigan is going to visit their rivals at Michigan State and he talks a bit about that situation.

The four-star prospect (Rivals.com) from Wayne High School in Dayton’s Huber Heights school district said he has 15 scholarship offers, and he hears from recruiters by phone or through social media channels most every day.

“It’s a lot of people coming at you,” said deWeaver, who started and played his first three years of high school at Trotwood-Madison. “It’s kind of an every day thing.”

A former Michigan commitment, deWeaver said the Spartans and Wolverines approach recruiting in both similar and different ways.

“Michigan State, they’ve been there forever talking to me, Coach (Harlon) Barnett was my recruiter, really started my recruiting, and it took off,” deWeaver said. “Coach (Mark) Dantonio is a more a laid-back guy, he’s a business guy, he’s not a big talker, but he does get his point across. He’s not a rah rah guy.

“Michigan is more outgoing, they try to brand the school. Michigan State is more about you as a person. They want to get to know the real you.”

Next: Kentucky's Championship Storylines

More from Wildcat Blue Nation

Home/Kentucky Wildcats News