[LeeCoUKFan]

Ware is first 2014 UK football commitment

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

If you thought Kentucky's white-hot recruiting would slow down just because National Signing Day has come and gone, think again.

Mark Stoops and his staff are striking while the iron is hot and on Tuesday the Wildcats picked up their first verbal commitment from a Class of 2014 prospect.

To say it was a big one would be an understatement. Denzel Ware, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end from Opp (Ala.), was tabbed as the No. 223 prospect in the nation and was awarded four stars upon the release of the Rivals250.

So why did Ware pick UK?

"Because I have a great relationship with coach (Mark) Stoops and (coach D.J.) Eliot and it's just where I want to be," Ware replied via text message.

Simple as that.

Ware was not available for further comment but he did confirm that he's a "solid" commitment. He had previously been committed to Florida State before opening his recruitment back up.

The four-star prospect had built a relationship with Stoops and Eliot while they were at Florida State, and upon arriving at Kentucky the coaches continued to recruit him.

In addition to UK and Florida State, Ware also had offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Texas and USC, among others. Ware is just the latest in what is becoming a long line of talented defensive linemen that will arrive in Lexington in the years ahead.

In recent months the Wildcats nabbed signatures from four-star ends Za'Darius Smith and more recently Jason Hatcher, not to mention athletic pass-rushers such as Alvonte Bell and Reggie Meant.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1471940