[LeeCoUKFan]

Recruits react to Barker's Kentucky commitment

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Kentucky wanted Drew Barker because they felt he was the most talented quarterback on its board and someone the Wildcats can build their program around.

There was the added bonus of parlaying his commitment into recruiting momentum that could help with other recruits.

The reaction from other Wildcat pledges and targets alike has been universally positive with many taking to Twitter and social networking sites to voice their excitement.

Some even texted Cats Illustrated to give their thoughts on what Barker's commitment meant for Kentucky.

"I was excited for him," linebacker Dorian Hendrix said. "I already knew kinda (that he would commit) just by hanging with him in Lexington. I could tell he'd be a Cat eventually. I think he's a great pick up."

Another Ohio commit, Mikel Horton, also said Barker's commitment bodes well for the future of the program.

"It's a great day for UK," Horton said. "He brings talent that UK needed. I think we're going to have the best offense in the SEC."

Darryl Long expressed similar sentiments.

"It's huge. It's a QB for me," he said with a laugh. "And he's going to attract a lot of other big-time recruits."

Even recruits that have not committed to UK were impressed with the addition. Four-star receiver Blake Bone of South Carolina is considering the Wildcats and Gamecocks, so Barker's choice could reasonably have been expected to have some impact on him.

"We talked about UK a lot," Bone said of himself and Barker. "He's pretty nice at his position and he's trying to do big things in Lexington. I've got much respect for that kid and I love the sound of the Air Raid."

Four-star Georgia running back Stanley Williams plans on making a decision in the next month and Kentucky is on his short list.

"It's a big get for UK Nation!" he said via text.

And one of Williams' friends, four-star cornerback and Georgia commit Nick Glass, said, "That was a huge pickup."

John Hardin defensive tackle Matt Elam may be the state's second-best prospect and Barker's decision is something he took note of as well.

"We've been talking about it for like two weeks and he told me it was between South Carolina and UK," he said. "He he felt the better vibe at UK. Now he has been on me hard trying to (get him to) go there so we've just got to wait and see what happens."

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1505754