When Will Stein was hired on December 2nd, the clock wasn’t just ticking; it was practically at zero. High school classes were nearly complete. Early Signing Day was literally 24 hours away.
In modern college football, that is usually a recipe for disaster. New coaches often come in, cut the previous staff's commits loose, and scramble to find "their guys," leaving high school kids in the lurch.
Will Stein handled it like a pro. Stein made it clear immediately: If you committed to Mark Stoops and you want to be a Kentucky Wildcat, we will honor that commitment.
It was a move of pure class. That is how an adult handles it. But don't mistake kindness for weakness. Stein also hit the phones.
Between honoring the previous pledges and closing strong on a few new targets, Stein managed to secure a Top 40 class. Not bad when you literally have one day to secure the first signatures and two months to get the rest of the class rolling.
Here is a final look at the high school and JUCO talent joining the program:
The early enrollees (5)
These players are already on campus and participating in winter workouts.
- Kenny Darby (WR) – Airline (LA) – 4-Star (92 rating)
- Ben Duncum (DL) – Lake Travis (TX) – 3-Star (87 rating)
- Isaiah McMillian (CB) – Katy (TX) – 3-Star (87 rating)
- Prince Jean (WR) – Valdosta (GA) – 3-Star (86 rating)
- Davis McCray (WR) – Cornerstone Christian (TX) – 3-Star (86 rating)
Signed letters of intent (8)
- Matt Ponatoski (QB) – Archbishop Moeller (OH) – 3-Star (89 rating)
- Lincoln Watkins (TE) – Port Huron Northern (MI) – 3-Star (88 rating)
- Justyn Hartley (Edge) – Hoover (AL) – 3-Star (87 rating)
- Denairius Gray (WR) – Chaminade-Madonna (FL) – 3-Star (86 rating)
- Braxton Urquhart (CB) – Butler C.C. – 3-Star (86 rating)
- Cameron Miller (OT) – Morton (IN) – 3-Star (85 rating)
- Delvecchio Alston (RB) – Hewitt-Trussville (AL) – 3-Star (85 rating)
- Jordan Knox (IOL) – Northwest Mississippi C.C. – 3-Star (84 rating)
Hard Commits (4)
- Andre Clarke Jr. (CB) – Hermitage (VA) – 4-Star (90 rating)
- Jay'Quan Crawford (RB) – Franklin County (KY) – 3-Star (85 rating)
- Isaiah Jackson (ATH) – Rockcastle County (KY) – 3-Star (84 rating)
- Tyler Wright (ATH) – Bixby (OK) - unranked
The portal & the future
While the high school class stabilized the foundation, the immediate help is coming from the transfer portal. Most major outlets have Stein's first transfer haul ranked in the Top 10 nationally, addressing immediate needs on both sides of the ball.
[Click here for a full breakdown of the Transfer Portal class]
Will Stein survived the chaos of December with his integrity intact. Now, he gets to go on offense.
Recruiting analysts are already buzzing that Stein is "killing it" on the trail for the next two years. And honestly, that should bring a smile to your face.