Kentucky trending to flip 2024 RB Jason Patterson from Cincinnati

Kentucky and Mark Stoops are trending to add a second running back to the Wildcats’ 2024 recruiting class, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

UK was a finalist for Sneads (Fla.) three-star running back Jason Patterson in the lead-up to his Aug. 1 decision, but the 6-foot, 205-pounder opted for Cincinnati, becoming one of the Bearcats’ top three highest-ranked pledges.

Now, following multiple predictions logged by Kentucky recruiting insiders, the Cats are tracking to flip Patterson from the new Big 12 program just up the road. Kentucky now has a 95% chance of pulling off the flip and bringing the Sunshine State product to Lexington.

“They one of the top teams in the SEC. They battle every year in their conference. And (Mark) Stoops, he’s known for running the ball, so that’s really why,” Patterson told KSR in July about why Kentucky was a finalist in his recruitment.

Patterson is the No. 537 overall prospect and No. 41 tailback in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 66 player in Florida.

Kentucky pushing for Top-20 recruiting class

It’s been a positive fall on the recruiting trail for Stoops, Vince Marrow and Co. The Cats’ class now ranks No. 24 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. That’s thanks to a trio of major commitments since September.

On Sept. 15, UK flipped Corbin (Ky.) twin four-star defensive linemen Jacob and Jerod Smith from Michigan. The Wildcats went back and forth with the Wolverines for the pair, but following their return to the Bluegrass to finish their high school football careers, all the momentum fell in the direction of the home school.

The Cats added the highest-ranked pledge in their 2024 class on Oct. 4, as Austintown (Ohio) Westerville North four-star EDGE Brian Robinson pledged. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder checks in as the No. 129 overall prospect and No. 9 EDGE in the 2024 cycle.

Between Robinson and the Smiths, Lexington Christian Academy four-star quarterback Cutter Boley and Cincinnati Withrow four-star cornerback Terhyon Nichols check in as top-200 prospects. Boley is the top-ranked player in Kentucky and is also the No. 12 gunslinger in the cycle.

If Patterson were to join the fold, he would be the second burner in the class, alongside fellow Floridian, Fort Lauderdale Western three-star Tovani Mizell, who committed on June 21. In total, Kentucky’s class features 21 commitments and ranks No. 13 in the SEC.