6-foot-5 WR Shamar Rigby "shocked" by his official visit to Kentucky

Coming into his first-ever official visit, Shamar Rigby didn’t know what to expect. The 6-foot-5 class of 2024 wide receiver plans to take a trio of OVs this month and recently wrapped up the first one over the weekend after spending a few days at the University of Kentucky.

Rigby was somewhat of a surprise visitor for the Wildcats’ coaching staff. He was initially scheduled to be at Iowa State this past weekend but changed course to Kentucky in the weeks leading up. That decision proved to be significant, as Rigby’s eyes were opened to what UK has to offer. He left Lexington pleasantly surprised with how the visit played out.

“I really underestimated them, they really shocked me,” Rigby told KSR on Tuesday afternoon about his OV to Kentucky. “By the campus, by the people, by the academics, everything that I was looking for really.”

Had a amazing time at the University of Kentucky this past weekend will be back soon heavy love🔵 #Wildcats @UKFootball @vincemarrow @CoachWoody7 @Andrew_Verboys @LiamCoen pic.twitter.com/OpbFvEVllU

— Shamar (Mar) Rigby (@Shamarrigby1) June 12, 2023

In particular, Rugby was impressed by the realness and personability of the players and coaches he met with. The SEC-level facilities and emphasis on academics stuck out to him, as well. Senior tight end Izayah Cummings was his player host for the visit. Rigby also made sure to chat it up with wide receivers coach Scott Woodward and associate head coach Vince Marrow, the latter being his primary recruiter.

“They weren’t rushing anything with me, they were just playing it calm,” Rigby added. “Just showing me what they have to offer me and saying that they would love me at Kentucky. They want me to be myself and that my playing style fit their school.”

Currently, Rigby is unranked by the On3 Industry Ranking, but 247Sports does view him as a three-star prospect. The Saint Petersburg (FL) Lakewood product didn’t start to see his recruitment boom until this spring when the likes of Purdue, Indiana, Kansas State, West Virginia, Minnesota, and Nebraska all reached out with offers. Kentucky got in late too, extending Rigby a scholarship in May, but has quickly gained momentum.

“The people there. I would say the people there,” Rigby said about what stands out about UK. “They seem like genuine people, they seem like they actually care about the players, care about families. It seemed real cultured over there and I’m all about culture.”

Next up for Rigby is an official visit to Purdue this weekend then one more official to South Florida at the end of the month. He tweeted on Tuesday that a list of finalists is “coming soon” — possibly by next weekend — and told KSR that a commitment announcement could come near the end of the summer.

Kentucky, which clearly made a positive impact on Rigby this past weekend, will make that list of his top options.