4-star LB Grant Godfrey commits to Kentucky: 'It just felt like home'

For months, Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star linebacker Grant Godfrey has felt like “the No. 1 recruit” for Kentucky‘s coaching staff. They would message and FaceTime him often to check in.

Godfrey especially built a strong relationship with Wildcats defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Brad White. The 6-foot-3, 200 pound prospect realized that White’s prior NFL coaching experience could help develop into the best player he can be. A connection with inside linebackers coach Mike Stoops and a belief in head coach Mark Stoops‘ vision helped Kentucky’s efforts as well.

These factors contributed to White’s commitment to the Wildcats over Tennessee on Monday. He is now the third-highest-ranked prospect in the Wildcats’ 2023 recruiting class behind only Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth four-star wide receiver Shamar Porter and Montgomery (Ala.) Alabama Christian Academy four-star safety Avery Stuart.

“Kentucky has also produced a lot of linebackers,” Godfrey told On3. “Josh Allen, Bud DuPree, Jamin Davis also. So I feel like at Kentucky, I will develop most as a player.”

Godfrey appreciates the whole package at Kentucky

Godfrey wants to join Allen, Dupree and Davis in the NFL. He thinks the best way to get there is by going to Kentucky.

What intrigued him about the Wildcats was the opportunity to get experience at both inside and outside linebacker. Both White and Mike Stoops spoke to Godfrey about this opportunity. It’s part of the reason that for the past three weeks, he knew that Kentucky was the choice for him.

“Kentucky just pushed me the most,” said Godfrey, the No. 283 overall prospect and No. 24 linebacker in the 2023 On3 Consensus. “… I feel like I would fit in best at Kentucky. And then also my parents, my dad thought, you know, Kentucky was the best fit for me so I can play inside and outside cause he thinks that the coaches at Kentucky will probably develop me more as a player also.”

Godfrey took his first visit to Lexington on June 11. He enjoyed his time there and already has an official visit scheduled for Oct. 7.

“I have a best friend up at Kentucky,” Godfrey said. “His name is Dylan Gary. So I went up there and he was up there just training. So, you know, we got to chill out with all the coaches. Yeah, it just felt like home. You know, they treated me like I was one of the players.”

The four-star is also drawn to the Wildcats because of the opportunity to play SEC competition. He is familiar with it since his dad played at Georgia.

With Kentucky, Godfrey is looking forward to playing against programs like Alabama, LSU and Tennessee, who received an unofficial visit from him on June 10. Potentially, he can be part of a group that gets the Wildcats to the SEC Championship Game.

“It just sounds great to me,” Godfrey said. “I can’t wait to play in the SEC, so I’m excited.”