Kentucky football lands top tight end target Lincoln Watkins to keep recruiting roll alive
Don't look now, but Kentucky football is heating up on the trail — again.
On Saturday, the Wildcats landed a commitment from Lincoln Watkins, a versatile 3-star tight end out of Port Huron, Michigan. Watkins, Kentucky’s top target at the position, chose the Cats over offers from Nebraska, Florida, and Indiana, among others.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 233 pounds, Watkins is ranked the No. 22 tight end in the country by 247Sports. But his production looks even better than his ranking. As a junior, he posted 39 receptions for 668 yards, added 39 carries for 245 yards, and racked up 17 total touchdowns — proving he’s far more than just a big target. He’s an offensive weapon.
BREAKING: Four-star TE Lincoln Watkins has committed to Kentucky. The Wildcats moved quickly with their No. 1 TE target. https://t.co/qLXkeGGq85 pic.twitter.com/aUQaVRCvjM
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) June 21, 2025
His commitment marks Kentucky’s eighth in the 2026 class — a remarkable surge considering the program had zero just four months ago and is navigating its first summer without longtime ace recruiter Vince Marrow, who departed earlier this month.
June is typically the most critical month for high school recruiting. Losing Marrow then could’ve created panic. Instead, Kentucky has steadied the ship and picked up steam, hitting on key positions of need and adding blue-collar athletes who fit the mold.
Not all is sunny in Lexington, as the Cats lost thier only in-state prospect Jarvis Strickland. He is now expected to join Marrow in Louisville. However, that hasn't stopped the Cats from continuing to try and make in-roads in 2026.
Landing Watkins gives the Wildcats a dynamic option at tight end — someone who can stretch the field, move around the formation, and create mismatches. In a pro-style scheme like Bush Hamdan's, that kind of versatility is gold.
Momentum matters in recruiting — and right now, Kentucky’s starting to feel it.