1-on-1 conversation with Mark Stoops locked in Quaysheed Scott with Kentucky

South Carolina’s interest in Kentucky football commit Quaysheed Scott was serious. The Gamecocks were looking to flip Scott, who hails from South Carolina and attends Marion High. An official visit to Columbia was even scheduled for this weekend. But a lengthy conversation with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops shut that down before it could ever happen.

Scott, who is now considered a four-star recruit and top 300 class of 2024 prospect by On3, took his official visit to UK over the weekend. The 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back has been in Lexington before and never publicly wavered from his commitment to the Wildcats, but it was his talk with Stoops that officially sealed the deal.

“I wouldn’t say it was an eye-opening experience, because every time I go there it’s always love,” Scott told KSR on Monday. “When I went up there we had a great time. Everybody was still showing love, Coach Stoops showing love, everybody showing love. It felt like home. It felt like I was already there. The practices they were doing, I was like ‘I’m ready for it.’ The scheme they run, I feel like I’m ready for it. The decision that made me lock it down was I had a one-on-one conversation with Coach Stoops. He was telling me the plan. And I shut it down.”

Scott then announced through social media on Sunday that his recruitment is now “completely shut down.”

I will no longer be taking an official visit to USC Gamecocks this weekend. My recruitment is completely shut down!! BBN 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rPuZM3P7n0

— Quaysheed “ Q “ Scott (@QuaysheedScott) December 10, 2023

Scott has canceled his official visit to South Carolina, which was initially set for January but was moved up by the Gamecocks. Scott intends to sign on Dec. 20 and will enroll at Kentucky in the summer. The Wildcats see him as a nickelback at the college level, pointing to Kentucky’s Andru Phillips as someone he could develop into. Phillips announced at the end of November that he plans to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

“The players on the team, they treat you like you’re already on the team,” Scott added. “The coaches treat you like you’re on the team. They already family, they already know you and everything about you. It’s all a family.”

Scott says that Kentucky’s early contact with him played a significant role in his decision to stay committed to the Wildcats. UK discovered his talents before nearby South Carolina decided to go all-in. Once considered a low-level three-star, Scott has shot up the national rankings following an impressive senior season. He’s currently preparing and practicing for the Shrine Bowl (Dec. 16), which features the best high school prospects from both North and South Carolina.

So what can Kentucky fans expect out of the future ‘Cat once he suits up in the blue and white?

“They getting a dog,” Scott said. “I’m ready to come play.”