Just last November, Kentucky Football was knocked out of bowl contention in the absolute worst way possible. After an up, down, and all around season that came down to the wire, Mark Stoops' 2025-26 Wildcats travled to Louisville for a decisive showdown with the rival Cardinals.
The 41-0 blowout that ensued was almost inarguably the program's most embarrassing defeat in years, and many believe it played a crucial part in the school ultimately deciding to move on from Stoops after 13 seasons. Losing to Louisville at all is bad enough, but putting up zero points? In the last game of an already disappointing season? It was the death rattle for an era gone by.
That's why it's hard to believe that, just since his December hiring, Will Stein has Kentucky in a favorable position for this season and climbing the national ranks for the 2027-28 campaign after it. The turnaround has happened in a flash and, at least on paper, Kentucky Football is back.
This past weekend, Stein served perhaps the most potent reminder of that new reality yet. In an unstoppable swing of recruiting momentum, Stein and Kentucky landed three studs in one afternoon. I don't know if that's some kind of record, but it (rightfully) had Cats fans in hysterics online.
Kentucky Playing Leapfrog
On the back of those additions, Kentucky leapt Penn State in 247Sports' 2027 class rankings, sliding into the No. 14 spot. It doesn't take a member of the Big Blue Nation to recognize that the program being that high up represents a truly unprecedented shift.
This is a program that, just one year ago, was stuck in the mud under the thumb of a coach that, to put it bluntly, had let the game get away from him. Now, Kentucky is led by one of the sharpest offensive minds in the sport.
Stein's process has put Kentucky ahead of the curve, and his three latest pickups should all be ready to rock upon arrival.
The Three Studs
First and earliest on Sunday, Stein locked down a commitment from four-star, in-state defensive lineman Malachi Brown. He chose Kentucky over Louisville (among others), forcing the Cardinals to stagnate at the No. 25 spot in that aforementioned class ranking.
Also on defense, Kentucky locked down three-star linebacker Drew Williams. It was a big day for Kentucky's defensive attack; defensive coordinator Jay Bateman has an arsenal of sharp tools for 2027 already.
On Stein's side of the ball, three-star wide receiver Austin Coles went with the Wildcats over home-state options Florida and Florida State. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher should click well with No. 2 overall quarterback Jake Nawrot as a youthful deep threat with plenty of room to grow.
It's no surprise anymore that Stein is finding serious success with recruits, but to this Kentucky fan, it still feels a bit like a dream. If that's the case, don't even think about waking me up.
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