Film Room: Avery Stuart

Montgomery (Ala.) Alabama Christian Academy defensive back Avery Stuart joined Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday and this is a significant recruiting win for the Wildcats. There is no denying that.

The blue-chip prospect is the No. 222 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The Wildcats have only landed two other defensive backs — Tyrell Ajian and Alex Afari — that also ranked inside the top 250.

When signatures come in December, Avery Stuart has a chance to be one of the more prized recruits in Kentucky’s haul as safeties coach Frank Buffano has recorded a big-time win on the trail within the traditional SEC footprint. But what we’ll Stuart bring to the field?

Let’s step into the KSR Film Room as Kentucky has added a 6-foot-2 defensive back with speed, range, physicality, and the overall tools that could allow him to make an impact as a true freshman.

The On3 Consensus currently lists Avery Stuart as a safety prospect but others see the blue-chipper as a true outside cornerback. The fact of the matter is that this is a young player that could succeed in multiple roles on defense. A lot of that is due to his ability to trigger downhill and make physical tackles.

As a box defender, Avery Stuart isn’t necessarily getting downhill on this run play but shows the closing speed that makes him an intriguing prospect. The long defensive back can hit an extra gear and typically arrives with violent intentions when it’s time to make contact.

This is a prospect that is not afraid to play downhill.

From his cornerback position, Avery Stuart recognizes the run concept, puts himself in position, screams downhill, and ends the play with a physical tackle. These types of plays show up consistently on his tape. Being able to do this could make him a valuable prospect as there are tools available to succeed at both cornerback and safety.

At the next level, defensive backs must be able to make plays in space. That means covering a lot of ground and finishing tackles after offenses create room in the passing game. Avery Stuart excels with this at the high school level.

On the swing pass to the tailback, Stuart once again flashes his play recognition skills and closing speed. This is a prospect that can cover a lot of ground in a hurry.

Avery Stuart was also a two-way player that made plays like this consistently on offense.

Avery Stuart played for a private high school in Alabama and the competition was not the greatest. However, there is no denying the physical traits. The newest Kentucky commitment is 6-foot-2 with long arms, sudden burst, and long speed. Stuart is a very physical hitter at this stage in his career and looks very comfortable playing in space.

At the next level, Stuart could be plugged into a lot of different holes. Odds are that Kentucky could tinker with him at multiple spots to see where he will be best suited. However, the Wildcats have had issues recently finding top-end talent to play cornerback. This recruitment seems like the Wildcats sold Stuart on being the guy for the program at that position. Stuart would be a great fit in Kentucky’s zone-heavy scheme.

Kentucky has often liked to have length on the defensive perimeter and Avery Stuart provides that along with some other intriguing traits. The Wildcats have scored a huge recruiting win in Alabama for a prospect that should see snaps as a true freshman in 2023.