Will Stein already in the fight for elite 2027 Texas QB Carson White

Before Will Stein calls his first play at Kentucky, he’s already staring at the most important position on the board: quarterback.

That’s why Carson White’s new top 8 list is such a big deal.

The 4-star 2027 QB out of Iowa Colony (Rosharon, TX) just narrowed things down to: Kentucky, Houston, Kansas State, Auburn, Baylor, Virginia Tech, UCF, Utah

It’s one thing to say you’re going to recruit high school hard and use the portal as a supplement. It’s another thing entirely to actually go fight for elite underclass quarterbacks from Texas, and stay in the fight with only a week on the job.

Why 4-star QB Carson White fits exactly what Will Stein wants

White checks every box for what Stein wants to run:

• Size: Listed around 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and still growing.
• As a sophomore: District Offensive MVP, 12–2 season, 1,800+ passing yards, 30 TD, 9 INT, plus 800+ rushing yards and 18 rushing TD.
• As a freshman: Newcomer of the Year, 12–1 record, 1,600+ passing yards, 17 TD, just 3 picks, and over 500 rushing yards.

Athletic profile:

• Long jumped over 23 feet as a sophomore.
• Runs track.
• Plays baseball as an OF/SS/RHP and even hit the 2025 Area Code Underclass Games.

That’s not just a quarterback. That’s a multi-sport, high-ceiling athlete with real juice as a runner and enough arm to stress defenses vertically.

In Stein’s system, that matters. He wants:

• RPOs and play-action that force linebackers to hesitate.
• Quarterbacks who can extend plays and punish soft coverage with their legs.
• Efficient decision-makers who can grow into full-field readers over time.

White’s film and numbers scream “modern dual-threat," not a pure runner, not a statue, but a legit threat in both phases.

For Kentucky, simply making the top 8 sends a message:

• The new staff is already recruiting deep into Texas, not just cherry-picking leftovers.
• Quarterbacks with real national options are willing to give Stein an honest look.
• The program’s offensive brand under Stein is resonating enough to get them in early.

Now comes the hard part: closing.

Houston can sell staying home. Auburn and Baylor can sell big-time offensive traditions. Utah can sell player development and winning. Kansas State and UCF have strong QB track records of their own.

Kentucky has to sell this:

• A chance to be the guy in a rebuilt SEC offense.
• A coach who has already proven he can develop QBs and design explosive schemes.
• A chance to showcase what you can do.

Landing Carson White would be a headline-level recruiting win for Kentucky. But even being in the final 8 this early is proof that Stein’s message is starting to land.

If he can stack a couple more battles like this, and win one, the quarterback room in Lexington is going to look very different by the time 2027 rolls around.