Kentucky has won three straight games and appears to have salvaged a sinking season. Granted, none of the 3 teams (Auburn, Florida, Tennessee Tech) were particularly good, but neither was Kentucky. Off the field though? The hits keep coming for a beleaguered Mark Stoops.
The biggest blow arrived when Florida defensive back Jordan Crutchfield announced he is flipping his commitment from Kentucky to another program struggling and with a coach who may not be there, Florida State.
The underlying message behind his switch speaks volumes:
“Going to Florida State has always been a thought... With the way college is right now, you’re always trying to find the best fit… They have one of the greatest cultures in sports.”
Less than two weeks until the early signing period starts, and Kentucky is now down to 13 commits.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 20, 2025
The Cats' class ranks No. 55 overall. https://t.co/lqWgZ1nxFs pic.twitter.com/ZjsYG90oc2
The cost of the 'fit' problem for Kentucky football
Crutchfield wasn't just a body; he was a long, athletic safety essential for the 2026 class. His comments, "best fit," "culture", hit all the modern recruiting anxiety points:
- NIL Clarity: "Fit" can mean Kentucky's messaging isn’t landing as consistently as competitors.
- Program Direction: Recruits are hearing talk about coordinator turnover and uncertainty about the Stoops era's future, causing them to look elsewhere, even if Florida State is the same 5-5. They have a better history.
- The Depth Disaster: This flip, coming right after linebacker Max Mohring chose Northwestern, leaves the 2026 class dangerously thin. With only 13 current commits, Kentucky risks the smallest class of the Stoops era.
For fans hoping the current winning streak would stabilize everything, reality has hit hard: The wins have not yet translated into recruiting security, and the staff is losing battles they used to win.
Will a win over a top 15 Vandy team change much? Recruiting in November and December is hard, so there may not be very many guys left willing to flip.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion