02-06-2013, 11:31 PM
I guess as they say there isn't any rest for the wicked. So with out further ado.
Via Justin Rowland of Rivals.
If you thought our coverage of football recruiting would taper off for a while after Signing Day you were mistaken. No, our coverage in this cycle will be even better than before. Keep spreading the word about the site and we'll continue to do what we do.
Kentucky has their first official junior day of the Mark Stoops era this Saturday. It's going to mostly be an event for local recruits. Just not feasible for lots of the kids from Florida and elsewhere at this point in the year. That will just have to be the summer, for camps, or OV's in the fall/winter.
The local flavor of the first junior day will fit well with that "inside-out" recruiting strategy that apparently all of UK's assistants are adopting right now. Sources tell me in the days ahead coaches are buckling down and doing some serious talent evaluation, pinpointing targets they like at their own positions and then working to get their foot in the door. They've been encouraged, or asked, to aim high. As Stoops said today, this staff clearly isn't backing down and conceding anything.
I've linked the c/o '14 prospects below in case you aren't familiar with them. You can right click and open in new tab if you want.
Also, going to keep this thread open for a discussion of the day's events and any questions you might have.
So, who will be attending the junior day?
Junior day lists are always fluid. Kids are paying their own way, travel plans can be spotty, and kids that age are, well, not always reliable. But here's what we've been able to piece together.
Four-star quarterback Drew Barker will be at UK for much of the event. He will have to leave early, however, because he's got a basketball game and he needs to be back home for that before 6 p.m.
Can't overstate the importance of Barker. Right now it's UK and South Carolina, I believe, but I've heard if Ohio State offers the Buckeyes would be extremely formidable. Kentucky's staff has strongly encouraged Barker to visit early and often. He's making his decision in April and that's a real blessing for UK: If he picks the Cats, he's the kind of big-time quarterback that other recruits seem to gravitate towards. If he doesn't, UK can move on to Plan B: For now, Gillins.
May be mistaken but I think R.J. Taylor of Tate's Creek will make the short trip for the day. Sources have told me he could be one of UK's top in-state targets and coaches like his versatility and athleticism.
Seth Hope, a defensive lineman from Highlands, has said he will be attending the junior day as well.
Mikel Horton, the four-star running back from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West and the teammate of Kyle Meadows, is planning to attend. In fact, Meadows will be there as well. Teammate Jack Cleary will be as well.
Paul Moses of Toledo Central Catholic in Ohio already has an offer from Nebraska. He will likely have one from Kentucky in the near future. He's listed as a running back but the 5-11, 200-pound junior is being looked at as a linebacker by the Cats. I believe he will make the trip but I'm not sure that's a definite yes.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods safety Mike Edwards wants to attend but he's not sure he's got a reliable ride. Edwards is friends with Jaleel Hytchye, who I don't expect to be there. Edwards has been tweeting a lot about UK but he hasn't actually spoken to the coaches a lot. He's a guy that might come later.
Hytchye's younger teammate, wide receiver Derek Kief, has confirmed that he will be at the junior day. Some believe Kief is the best junior receiver in Ohio. He's a big-time player and UK likes where they stand early. He will be one of Kentucky's three or four top receiver targets, at least early in the process.
An interesting aside: Kief and Drew Barker are actually on pretty good terms. I don't know how tight they are, but if Barker were to pop early for UK it could really help the Cats with Kief. And others, of course. Always good to get that big-time QB on board early.
Speaking of Cincinnati guys, Colerain sophomore George Brown, who we've mentioned before, will make the trip. He's a 6-6, 250-pound offensive tackle and is really, really impressive.
Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne linebacker Dorian Hendrix told Cats Illustrated he "may be going," but regardless of whether he visits this weekend or on February 23 (or both), UK is in very good shape.
Who can't attend? ....
Nacarius Fant of Bowling Green is one of the state's most electrifying athletes. He may be the Ryan Timmons of next year's class in terms of talent and how highly sought-after he is. Earlier today Fant told me via text he's not sure if he will make the junior day. Later a source told me he would not be attending. However, he will be attending at least two games in the fall and he will return to UK in a few weeks.
What's in a few weeks? Another junior day, on February 23, which coincides with College Gameday when Missouri visits Lexington. I tell ya, this staff knows how to plan.
Moses' teammate, DeShone Kizer, is one of the top overall prospects in Ohio and an athletic, four-star quarterback. Expect Kentucky to host him for the next junior day, on February 23.
Other recent developments ...
Hearing that UK offered offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio of Liberty Township (Ohio) Lakota East today. I'm supposed to speak with Jarrett and his dad later but sources have informed me that Kentucky is in excellent position with the 6-5, 260-pound tackle. He already had offers from Pitt and several MAC schools.
Notes on offensive skill position players/recruits ...
Spoke with a couple of sources about the current roster and here's what I gather ....
Wide Receivers
UK's staff hasn't been able to watch a whole lot of film but they have seen some tape. Athletically they think what UK has is okay. The guys can play. However, of the about six guys there, for reasons I can't totally disclose right now there are a couple of guys that have some off-field questions.
When the offensive staff members were at Texas Tech, if you'll look back, they generally kept 12-14 scholarship receivers on the roster. Right now Kentucky has six. Even with the four in this class that's 10 receivers; still short-handed, especially with this offense. Depth-wise all of the signees will have a chance to come in and make an immediate impact. That was a big selling point and it was an honest one. With just 10 guys you could line everyone up, watch them run and catch, and make a two-deep pretty quick. Given the fact that the returning receivers will also be learning something entirely different I wouldn't be shocked to see the incoming wide-outs account for a ton of UK's offensive production.
Now, on receiver recruits: We're still in the earliest stages of evaluation here but sources tell me a few names are emerging early.
First, Kentucky really likes Josh Malone, the four-star, Rivals250 player from Gallatin (Tenn.) Station Camp. He's a big target for the staff and recently picked up an offer. Of course, UK really likes Fant and he's a top target, too. As is Derek Kief, probably the top receiver target in Ohio. Springfield (Ohio) receiver Thaddius Snodgrass already has offers from Notre Dame and all the major programs in the Big Ten, but UK will test the waters there as well.
Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights receiver Odell Spencer has caught the staff's attention, as has Cameron Polk from Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern.
Remember, "inside-out" recruiting, so names from Florida, Georgia, Texas, etc., will pop up later after the staff makes sure they don't overlook anyone local.
Via Justin Rowland of Rivals.
If you thought our coverage of football recruiting would taper off for a while after Signing Day you were mistaken. No, our coverage in this cycle will be even better than before. Keep spreading the word about the site and we'll continue to do what we do.
Kentucky has their first official junior day of the Mark Stoops era this Saturday. It's going to mostly be an event for local recruits. Just not feasible for lots of the kids from Florida and elsewhere at this point in the year. That will just have to be the summer, for camps, or OV's in the fall/winter.
The local flavor of the first junior day will fit well with that "inside-out" recruiting strategy that apparently all of UK's assistants are adopting right now. Sources tell me in the days ahead coaches are buckling down and doing some serious talent evaluation, pinpointing targets they like at their own positions and then working to get their foot in the door. They've been encouraged, or asked, to aim high. As Stoops said today, this staff clearly isn't backing down and conceding anything.
I've linked the c/o '14 prospects below in case you aren't familiar with them. You can right click and open in new tab if you want.
Also, going to keep this thread open for a discussion of the day's events and any questions you might have.
So, who will be attending the junior day?
Junior day lists are always fluid. Kids are paying their own way, travel plans can be spotty, and kids that age are, well, not always reliable. But here's what we've been able to piece together.
Four-star quarterback Drew Barker will be at UK for much of the event. He will have to leave early, however, because he's got a basketball game and he needs to be back home for that before 6 p.m.
Can't overstate the importance of Barker. Right now it's UK and South Carolina, I believe, but I've heard if Ohio State offers the Buckeyes would be extremely formidable. Kentucky's staff has strongly encouraged Barker to visit early and often. He's making his decision in April and that's a real blessing for UK: If he picks the Cats, he's the kind of big-time quarterback that other recruits seem to gravitate towards. If he doesn't, UK can move on to Plan B: For now, Gillins.
May be mistaken but I think R.J. Taylor of Tate's Creek will make the short trip for the day. Sources have told me he could be one of UK's top in-state targets and coaches like his versatility and athleticism.
Seth Hope, a defensive lineman from Highlands, has said he will be attending the junior day as well.
Mikel Horton, the four-star running back from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West and the teammate of Kyle Meadows, is planning to attend. In fact, Meadows will be there as well. Teammate Jack Cleary will be as well.
Paul Moses of Toledo Central Catholic in Ohio already has an offer from Nebraska. He will likely have one from Kentucky in the near future. He's listed as a running back but the 5-11, 200-pound junior is being looked at as a linebacker by the Cats. I believe he will make the trip but I'm not sure that's a definite yes.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods safety Mike Edwards wants to attend but he's not sure he's got a reliable ride. Edwards is friends with Jaleel Hytchye, who I don't expect to be there. Edwards has been tweeting a lot about UK but he hasn't actually spoken to the coaches a lot. He's a guy that might come later.
Hytchye's younger teammate, wide receiver Derek Kief, has confirmed that he will be at the junior day. Some believe Kief is the best junior receiver in Ohio. He's a big-time player and UK likes where they stand early. He will be one of Kentucky's three or four top receiver targets, at least early in the process.
An interesting aside: Kief and Drew Barker are actually on pretty good terms. I don't know how tight they are, but if Barker were to pop early for UK it could really help the Cats with Kief. And others, of course. Always good to get that big-time QB on board early.
Speaking of Cincinnati guys, Colerain sophomore George Brown, who we've mentioned before, will make the trip. He's a 6-6, 250-pound offensive tackle and is really, really impressive.
Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne linebacker Dorian Hendrix told Cats Illustrated he "may be going," but regardless of whether he visits this weekend or on February 23 (or both), UK is in very good shape.
Who can't attend? ....
Nacarius Fant of Bowling Green is one of the state's most electrifying athletes. He may be the Ryan Timmons of next year's class in terms of talent and how highly sought-after he is. Earlier today Fant told me via text he's not sure if he will make the junior day. Later a source told me he would not be attending. However, he will be attending at least two games in the fall and he will return to UK in a few weeks.
What's in a few weeks? Another junior day, on February 23, which coincides with College Gameday when Missouri visits Lexington. I tell ya, this staff knows how to plan.
Moses' teammate, DeShone Kizer, is one of the top overall prospects in Ohio and an athletic, four-star quarterback. Expect Kentucky to host him for the next junior day, on February 23.
Other recent developments ...
Hearing that UK offered offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio of Liberty Township (Ohio) Lakota East today. I'm supposed to speak with Jarrett and his dad later but sources have informed me that Kentucky is in excellent position with the 6-5, 260-pound tackle. He already had offers from Pitt and several MAC schools.
Notes on offensive skill position players/recruits ...
Spoke with a couple of sources about the current roster and here's what I gather ....
Wide Receivers
UK's staff hasn't been able to watch a whole lot of film but they have seen some tape. Athletically they think what UK has is okay. The guys can play. However, of the about six guys there, for reasons I can't totally disclose right now there are a couple of guys that have some off-field questions.
When the offensive staff members were at Texas Tech, if you'll look back, they generally kept 12-14 scholarship receivers on the roster. Right now Kentucky has six. Even with the four in this class that's 10 receivers; still short-handed, especially with this offense. Depth-wise all of the signees will have a chance to come in and make an immediate impact. That was a big selling point and it was an honest one. With just 10 guys you could line everyone up, watch them run and catch, and make a two-deep pretty quick. Given the fact that the returning receivers will also be learning something entirely different I wouldn't be shocked to see the incoming wide-outs account for a ton of UK's offensive production.
Now, on receiver recruits: We're still in the earliest stages of evaluation here but sources tell me a few names are emerging early.
First, Kentucky really likes Josh Malone, the four-star, Rivals250 player from Gallatin (Tenn.) Station Camp. He's a big target for the staff and recently picked up an offer. Of course, UK really likes Fant and he's a top target, too. As is Derek Kief, probably the top receiver target in Ohio. Springfield (Ohio) receiver Thaddius Snodgrass already has offers from Notre Dame and all the major programs in the Big Ten, but UK will test the waters there as well.
Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights receiver Odell Spencer has caught the staff's attention, as has Cameron Polk from Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern.
Remember, "inside-out" recruiting, so names from Florida, Georgia, Texas, etc., will pop up later after the staff makes sure they don't overlook anyone local.