Kentucky is finalist for 2026 QB Ely Hamrick
Training camps are off and running with the 2024 college football season right around the corner. However, high school recruiting never stops. Even in a dead period, developments are occurring on the trail. A notable quarterback target is winding down his recruiting process.
On Wednesday morning, Asheville (N.C.) A.C. Reynolds junior Ely Hamrick cut his list to three schools with Kentucky, Appalachian State, and Virginia named finalists.
Ely Hamrick received a scholarship offer from Kentucky in January. The quarterback spent his first two high school seasons at IMG Academy before transferring to A.C. Reynolds. Virginia hosted the unranked prospect in June for a camp workout and issued a scholarship offer in Charlottesville. The Wildcats beat out Tony Elliott‘s program for 2025 quarterback Brennen Ward. We could have another head-to-head battle for QB taking place between UK and UVa in the 2026 cycle.
Kentucky currently has zero prospects committed in the 2026 high school class. That could change soon. In September, another recruiting period will begin and schools will host prospects for both official and unofficial visits. Look for the Wildcats to begin building strong relationships with junior prospects once that begins.
Kentucky’s Class of 2025
| Player | High School | Position | Ranking |
| Cedric Works | Clayton (Ohio) Northmont | EDGE (6-5, 230) | 4-star (No. 147 overall) |
| Marquise Davis | Cleveland (Ohio) Heights | RB (5-11, 200) | 4-star (No. 160 overall) |
| Javeon Campbell | Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills | DL (6-5, 260) | 4-star (No. 165 overall) |
| Martels Carter | Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman | S (6-1, 185) | 4-star (No. 172 overall) |
| Quintin Simmons | Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow | WR (6-0, 170) | 4-star (No. 327 overall) |
| Kalen Edwards | Dyersburg (Tenn.) High | iDL (6-4, 325) | 4-star (No. 357 overall) |
| Darrin Strey | Paw Paw (Mich.) High | T (6-6, 295) | High 3-star (No. 401 overall) |
| Ja’Kayden Ferguson | Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall | WR (6-2, 175) | High 3-star (No. 430 overall) |
| Andrew Purcell | Enterprise (Ala.) High | CB (5-10, 185) | High 3-star (No. 479 overall) |
| Stone Saunders | Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt | QB (6-0, 205) | 3-star (No. 664 overall) |
| Demarcus Gardner | Cedartown (Ga.) High | CB (6-0, 165) | 3-star (No. 689 overall) |
| Brennen Ward | Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln | QB (6-2, 205) | 3-star (No. 759 overall) |
| Jermiel Atkins | Trotwood (Ohio) Madison | T (6-8, 270) | 3-star (No. 868 overall) |
| Preston Bowman | Pickerington (Ohio) North | WR (6-0, 196) | 3-star (No. 1,033 overall) |
| Bryan Auguste | Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch | T (6-6, 285) | 3-star (No. 1,077 overall) |
| Tucker Kattus | Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier | OL (6-5, 300) | 3-star (No. 1,130 overall) |
| Nicholas Smith | Loganville (Ga.) Walnut Grove | DL (6-7, 255) | 3-star (No. 1,396 overall) |
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