Will Stein kicked off the week today with a commitment from offensive tackle Ian Walker, lighting the fuse for Kentucky on what is shaping up to be yet another successful stretch of recruiting. As the Wildcats build on a strong 2027 class, another name seems to be on the docket.
Offensive tackle prospect Reed Gerkin is down to four schools: Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, and Illinois. A post on X from Riley Alberts cites Gerken's status as a top three OT in the state of Ohio. Set to commit on June 22, the Wildcats have been firmly in the mix for the three-star tackle for a while.
And now, per On3, Kentucky has been predicted to land Gerken when he eventually makes his call. Barring a late change, Coach Stein went out and got another one.
Adding Another Stud to the 2027 Class
Landing the aforementioned Walker, with Gerken now on deck, seems to suggest a trend in Stein's efforts in the 2027 class. Clearly, after landing No. 2 overall quarterback Jake Nawrot, Coach Stein is concerned with protecting his passer to an extreme degree.
Remnants from this coming year's big blue wall should be leftover to help, but securing a strong freshman crop to accompany Nawrot in his first season in Lexington should go a long way for Stein's offensive efforts early on.
BREAKING: ELITE (‘27) OT Reed Gerkin is down to 4 schools and is set to commit 6/22, he tells me for @247sports.
— Riley Alberts (@CfbRalb) May 10, 2026
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Gerkin attends Perrysburg HS in OH. He is a top 3 OT in Ohio.
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Where should Reed go? 🤔⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0SNbZA5cbq
Gerken, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound tackle, has the physical tools to come in and make an immediate impact for Kentucky, assuming he actually does commit. His three-star status may not suggest a standout, at least not instantly, but a potential system fit is sometimes just as important.
Kentucky is a Program in Healing
Especially for a program trying to rebound from the shortcomings of a previous coaching regime, landing consistent talent, such as Gerken and Walker, provides a steady assurance that things are moving where they should be.
June 22 feels like forever away, but if this offseason has been any indication thus far, Coach Stein will plenty busy before then. It's comforting to see another Kentucky prediction land in any capacity, even if things could change this far out from the actual commitment.
You can't count your Cats before they hatch, but this recruitment is shaping up to be another considerable win for Coach Stein and his staff. The man is collecting stud recruits like infinity stones.
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