[LeeCoUKFan]

McWilson changes pledge from Nebraska to Kentucky

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Marcus McWilson finally made it official on Monday. The former Nebraska pledge opened things back up after his official visit to Kentucky this weekend and made his final choice after talking with his family.

Mark Stoops is probably a happy man.

McWilson, a four-star safety from Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney, verbally committed to Kentucky on Monday afternoon, ending weeks of speculation and confirming rumors that indicated he would make the switch.

"I've committed to Kentucky," McWilson told CatsIllustrated.com. "I talked to the coaches and looked everything over with my parents and it just seemed like a better fit. I was leaning to Kentucky after my visit. I got back yesterday around 6:45 or 7 o'clock and I was able to sit down with my mom and dad and coach. I looked everything over, the pros and cons between each school [Kentucky and Nebraska]. In the end I thought Kentucky was a better fit for me and my family."

McWilson had plenty to say when it came to why he felt UK was the better fit.

"The distance is definitely nice when your family can come and see your games," he said. "The SEC was definitely a plus. Being able to play against the best competition out there is great. I want to beat the best so I've got to play against the best to do that. I know they didn't do great last year but they've got new coaches and it's time for them to come up. I'm glad I get to be a part of that."

The coaches had a lot to do with his decision. Tight ends coach Vince Marrow was his primary recruiter and Stoops was important in his choice as well.

"Coach Stoops is a great guy, a great coach," McWilson said. "We made a connection there. There are great people at either place. Comfort was another bit thing. I'll get a good education and will feel comfortable there."

The four-star recruit said Nebraska's coaches weren't happy with his decision but he respects them. He said it wasn't easy to make the switch.

"It was kinda tough," he said. "With that being said I'm not going there anymore. I had been committed to them for quite a while and in the end it came to me de-committing. The coaches weren't the happiest but they have to respect my decision.

"Other people are gonna hate you and call you a scumbag over Twitter even though they really don't know you. I'll say thank you to those that wished me well but you've got to let the haters hate. I would say anybody has to make sure you make the best decision for you."

McWilson is Kentucky's second four-star recruit under Stoops. Junior college defensive end Za'Darius Smith, who is already enrolled, was the first.

His is Kentucky's ninth commitment under Mark Stoops. Five of those nine commitments are rated 5.7's or higher on the Rivals' ranking scale.

The 6-foot, 196-pound safety is ranked the No. 196 prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. He is the first Rivals250 prospect to verbally commit to Kentucky since safety Glenn Faulkner signed with UK in 2011.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1465522