5-star OT Kiyaunta Goodwin switches UK visit up

On3 Consensus five-star offensive tackle and longtime Kentucky commit Kiyaunta Goodwin of Charlestown (Ind.) High was scheduled to take an official visit to Lexington this weekend. However, Kentucky Sports Radio’s Nick Roush is reporting the visit this weekend will be an unofficial visit for the nation’s No. 14 player.

Kiyaunta Goodwin, who has been committed to Kentucky since April, is coming off an impressive official visit to Michigan State last weekend. He has also visited Alabama officially and has other visits to Ohio State (Nov. 20) and Michigan (Nov. 27) lined up.

Roush is reporting Goodwin has a family event that will keep him from completing the 48-hour official visit with Kentucky this weekend. Instead, Goodwin will just be on campus for an unofficial visit. He’ll be there to watch the 6-2 Wildcats host 4-4 Tennessee Volunteers in one of the biggest games of the weekend.

The unofficial visit to Kentucky will be the next chance for the Wildcats to leave another strong impression on Kiyaunta Goodwin. He was blown away by the atmosphere during their win over Florida. He has also visited every Kentucky home game this season, Roush reports.

Of note, Goodwin told On3 previously that Kentucky’s coaching staff encouraged him to take his five official visits before he signs in December.

“I’ve told them I’m taking all my official visits,” Goodwin said. “I’m just getting all the information I need – the pros and cons – to make the best decision for me when the time comes.”

Mel Tucker makes impression on Kiyaunta Goodwin

Kiyaunta Goodwin was in East Lansing for the eighth-ranked Spartans’ massive 37-33 win over Michigan to move their record to 8-0 this season.

Michigan State is one of the schools that many were surprised to see crack Goodwin’s final five in February. That final five featured Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson.

But Spartans coach Mel Tucker laid some great groundwork with Goodwin. Tucker has a reputation as a great recruiter. His vision is coming to fruition in just his second season with the Spartans.

Getting to connect with Tucker in-person for the first time was one of the biggest reasons Goodwin made the visit to East Lansing.

“I’ve talked to him over the phone, but it was different getting to talk to him in person,” Goodwin said. “So, I was getting a really good vibe meeting with him in person. Their record, their recruiting and everything that’s going on for them is just speaking for itself.”

Fast-rising CB making Kentucky visit

With Kiyaunta Goodwin’s visit now switched to an unofficial, the lone expected official visitor this weekend at Kentucky is Elijah Reed. He is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound cornerback out of Louisville (Ky.) Pleasure Ridge Park. Reed is currently unranked by On3, but he has offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, Purdue, Illinois and Utah.

Reed visits Utah on Nov. 20. However, Reed lists the in-state Wildcats as the team to beat on his list. Michigan is another school that has stepped up its recruitment, and a Nov. 27 visit is on the schedule. The Wolverines have yet to offer Reed.