Regardless of what's going on at Rupp Arena right now, the Big Blue Nation has every reason to rejoice for Will Stein's first offseason in charge of the football program. His initial hiring was exciting enough, what with a younger, offensive-minded head coach taking over from a previous regime that had long run out of gas on that side of the ball. The prospect of scoring more than seven points per game (a potential exaggeration), at least for me, made the late-year change more than worth the risk.
And, thus far, it's paid off in folds. On top of putting together a strong roster for the 2026-27 season, Stein is future-proofing his new position with one of the nation's best overall classes. for the following season. You heard that right - with his latest commitment, Stein's 2027-28 bunch is, according to 247Sports, the fifth best in college football.
That commitment came in the form of three-star EDGE Antwoine Higgins Jr., per Rivals. In spite of Stein's offensive expertise, his ability to recruit the opposite side of the ball clearly hasn't suffered to any extent. Kentucky is set to be very good, and in all facets.
Antwoine Higgins Jr. Brings Physicality to the Defense
Higgins, who also held offers from inter-SEC competitors Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas, is set to bring an intense, growing physicality to the Wildcats' defense. Andrew Ivins projects him as a "potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level," with the ability to, "crash down and get ball carriers on the ground."
Stein is recruiting winners, and he's doing it over the heads of powerhouse programs that he shares a conference with. Programs that, suddenly, have to deal with the blue and white on the recruiting trail like never before.
Higgins is the latest in a string of exciting defensive additions, with the nation's No. 2 overall quarterback Jake Nawrot spearheading the hype on the offensive side of things.
Good on Both Sides of the Ball
Stein's multi-faceted recruiting success should, again, lead to a well-balanced Wildcats roster built to compete against the nation's toughest competition. That is, I can say with growing confidence, because Kentucky is quickly becoming apart of that "nation's toughest competition" bubble.
Cats fans should be thrilled with the state of the football program as it is right now and, accordingly, pack Kroger Field to back the boys in blue under a new banner. Although, I have a feeling I'm telling the best fanbase in the world something they already know.
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