Film Room: Jarvis Strickland

Kentucky finally got on the board in the 2026 recruiting cycle just before the calendar turned to April. The first high school recruiting win was a big one at a priority position. Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman offensive tackle Jarvis Strickland is locked in with the Cats.

This was a very important recruiting win for Vince Marrow and the rest of the Kentucky offensive staff.

I’m home 🏡 @adamgorney @TomLoy247 @LemmingReport @SWiltfong_ @247recruiting @Rivals @On3sports @NCEC_Recruiting @scoop1914 pic.twitter.com/1NX5uJ3tb7

— Jarvis Strickland jr 4⭐️ (@jarvisstrIck14) March 30, 2025

Now it’s time to see what type of player has been added to Eric Wolford‘s position room. Strickland is a borderline four-star recruit who brings athleticism, size, and some impressive reps as a finisher to the tackle position.

Let’s take a look at the film.

Athletic tackle with high pass pro potential and finishing ability

On3’s database has Jarvis Strickland listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. The junior tape shows a towering tackle with a frame to grow into. The 2026 recruit flashes athleticism, finishing ability, movement skills, and a legitimate pass protection ceiling at left tackle.

Strickland is a skinny tackle at the moment, who will need to continue to add mass and strength, but you can see some finishing ability on drive blocks (clip No. 1) and in pass protection (clip No. 2). On a kickstep in protection, Strickland keeps his weight back and locks on with ease. That allows him to counter a potential long arm rush by the defensive end into a “snatch-and-trap” win for the tackle (clip No.3). There is also the ability to win in space. On a wide receiver tunnel screen, Strickland methodically moves into space with balance and delivers the block that springs the explosive play (clip No. 4).

There is development needed with any tackle prospect, but all the required tools are there for the latest Kentucky commit. Strickland has size, length, athleticism, power, and natural ability to win in protection. The tackle also shows some power that could help him turn into a consistent winner in the run game.

Jarvis Strickland gives Kentucky a true left tackle prospect

Mark Stoops brought Eric Wolford back to Kentucky to fix the program’s offensive line issues. That all starts in recruiting. Jarvis Strickland is a prospect that UK simply has not landed enough in recent high school recruiting cycles.

The in-state commit is a legitimate left tackle prospect with good athleticism, length, and the potential to add good weight. Strickland will not be a plug-and-play addition — almost no one is at tackle — but this is a player who will have a chance to become a quality multi-year starter in the SEC. Strickland checks some major boxes at tackle and has the arrow pointing up as a high school prospect.

The weight box is likely the biggest concern moving forward. Strickland’s foot agility, length, and overall athleticism creates a potential high-ceiling in pass protection. The first commit in 2026 has a chance to become a splash player and big-time difference maker in Lexington.