Kentucky flipped Kenny Minchey from Nebraska to Kentucky, then Nassir Addison back to the Wildcats as he was entering the portal. The flipping spree continues as Kentucky lands 4-star top 200 player Andre Clarke Jr.
What Andre Clarke Jr brings to the defensive backfield for Kentucky football
The former Michigan Wolverine commit made it official early today that he would be choosing Kentucky when he let On3 know the Cats would be his home. At 6'1, he has the perfect height for a corner, but he has also played extensively at safety during his high school years. He has good coverage skills and has shown the ability to high point the ball when in coverage.
Andrew Irvins of 247sports seems to think that he would be best used as a man-to-man cover guy with his size and speed. That suits Kentucky's new scheme just fine.
The one knock on him is his weight; he is just under 175 pounds right now and will need to really hit the weight room once he gets to college. But that is something that usually happens anyway. When you take a kid and put them in a program with a nutritionist and a college weight room program, they usually add some bulk.
There is also another factor to consider, his age. He will have his 18th birthday during his freshman season. Young men typically continue to grow muscle and even add an inch or two during this time. So, when he arrives on campus, he may very well naturally be bigger. Add that to the college weight program, and I just don't see it being much of a factor.
Had a great visit today @UKFootball @UKCoachStoops @CoachC_Collins @CoachWhiteFB pic.twitter.com/ZBYzCpt8i9
— 4 ⭐️ Andre Clarke Jr 2026 ATH/DB (@AndreClarkeJr3) April 4, 2025
Clarke visited Kentucky previously under Mark Stoops, so there was familiarity with the school. However, the coaching staff is completely different. That coaching staff flipped a top-15 CB to a program that has struggled for several years in the defensive backfield.
This is fun.