[LeeCoUKFan]

Franklin County's Ryan Timmons picks Kentucky

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Ben Jones
CatsIllustrated.com Staff Writer

FRANKFORT -- Changing direction has always been Ryan Timmons' strength.

The speedy, shifty three-star receiver from Franklin County High School committed to Kentucky on Tuesday, choosing the Wildcats over Florida, Ohio State and Illinois.

"Next year," he said at a ceremony at his school, "I'll be playing for the University of Kentucky."

He had his heart set on UK late last week, but a visit to Florida over the weekend nearly changed his mind.

He made his final decision on Monday night and told the coaching staffs on Tuesday morning. Timmons had been considered a UK lean for much of the recruiting process, but he said that wasn't always the case. As the Wildcats stumbled through a 2-10 season under previous head coach Joker Phillips, UK faded.

But new head coach Mark Stoops and his staff made Timmons, the No. 5 prospect in Kentucky, a major priority. Defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot, Stoops' first assistant to be hired, visited Timmons the same day he joined the staff. Offensive coordinator Neal Brown also put a full-court press on Timmons, and the two clicked immediately.

"Coach Brown wants to score touchdowns, wants to score points," Timmons said. "That's what I like to do. I like to score touchdowns. He wants to score every time he gets a chance. Me and Coach Brown have a good relationship. We hit it off the first day we talked."

Phillips was never out of the picture, even after he was out at Kentucky. Florida surged late and Timmons visited Gainesville last weekend made him question his decision.

Ultimately, though, the Wildcats were the right fit. Brown's "Air Raid" offense, which is similar to the one Timmons played in at Franklin County, stood out immediately. The chance to stay close to family and friends was also important.

So was the opportunity to help rebuild Kentucky's program, which slipped in the last two seasons.

"I think it would mean more for me to help build something instead of something already being built and following along in their success," Timmons said. "I think UK will give me a challenge to improve and try to win an SEC championship. It's going to be hard, but I want that challenge."

The decision weighed heavily on Timmons, though. He would write lists of the pros and cons of each school daily, considering his options. He became choked up at least twice before he made his announcement and had to stop to regain his composure.

Kentucky gets one of the most explosive in-state athletes in Timmons. He had 106 touchdowns over the last three seasons at Franklin County and averaged 22.6 yards per touch during his career with the Flyers.

"He's once-in-a-lifetime," Franklin County coach Chris Tracy said. "We'll have other Division-I kids, but he's a once-in-a-lifetime kid. That doesn't just speak to his athletic ability, that speaks to the type of kid he is."

He's just the second in-state commit for UK in 2013, but Timmons said he'd try to change that. He'll talk to Trinity defensive end Jason Hatcher before signing day, trying to recruit the Rivals 250 defensive end to UK. Hatcher has cut his list to UK and Southern California, Timmons said.

When he arrives on campus, he'll help as an inside receiver who could spend some time in the backfield in Brown's system.

"I've been running this offense since I was in seventh grade, so I'm comfortable with it," Timmons said. "When I went on my official visit, we went over plays. I already know all the plays Coach Brown was putting in, so for me, that will be a good start."

Timmons' commitment vaults UK to the No. 30 recruiting class in the country, which would be the Wildcats' highest ranked class ever. It also keeps momentum in Kentucky's corner just hours before national signing day.

Now it's up to Timmons to use his speed to help UK's program change directions.

"(Coach Brown) didn't stress that they need me," Timmons said. "He said they want me. I think need and want are two different things.

"But I think I can help the team out a little bit with my talent."

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Hundreds packed the Franklin County High School gym for Timmons' announcement

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1468606