First Down Kentucky: A New Commitment Incoming?

Kentucky football recruiting never stops, even during the dead period. Prospects will be back on campuses nationwide starting March 4. Until then, parties can still have ongoing discussions and one appears to be going well.

Special teams and running backs coach Jay Boulware sent out a cryptic Tweet this morning. He used a GIF that has become the Bat-signal for a new commitment. Good news is on the horizon, BBN.

pic.twitter.com/1mZDhVLTfb

— Jay Boulware (@CoachJ_Boulware) February 27, 2024

If a commitment is coming, when will it happen and who will be the new addition? Precedent tells us it may take a while to see the public announcement. Commitment videos and graphics take time to construct. For most fans, learning the who is more important.

Boulware has been a position-specific recruiter during his short tenure at Kentucky. He’s received commitments from running backs in Florida and Georgia, while recruiting kickers in Montana and long snappers in Colorado. The GIF is most likely directed toward a runner. Marquise Davis, a top 150 talent, is at the top of the board, but it’s unlikely that he’ll announce a commitment prior to taking an official visit. Kentucky hosted two other running backs on Junior Day, Isaiah West (3-star, Philadelphia), and Jaylin Brown (3-star, West Palm Beach) who could be ready to pledge their allegiance to the BBN. We’ll keep our ears low.

Kentucky Running Back Joins KSR

Ryan Lemond received a warm reception when he walked five miles from KSBar and Grille to Clark’s Pump-n-Shop on Lucille Dr. (NOT Leestown Road). A few UK student-athletes were mingling among fans, including Chip Trayanum, the Ohio State transfer who’s expected to RB1 for Kentucky this fall. He briefly shared his thoughts about this year’s group of Cats with Matt Jones.

“We’re going to be real good,” said Trayanum. “Our expectations are pretty high, especially with it being a 12-team College Football Playoff now. Our expectations are very high. We’re definitely out to do something special this year.”

Trayanum has such lofty expectations because he’s seen the talent Mark Stoops is working with this fall. He joins the wideouts to catch passes from Brock Vandagriff at least twice a week and believes the former Georgia quarterback has a bright future.

“He’s hungry, he’s ready to show what he can do as a starting quarterback,” said Trayanum. “Everything should be good, and with spring ball coming around the corner, everybody’s excited.”

Listen to the entire conversation with the new Kentucky running back in hour No. 2 of Tuesday’s Kentucky Sports Radio podcast.

Kentucky Offers Talented Texas Wide Receiver

Daikiel Shorts is ensuring Kentucky will have a presence recruiting in the state of Texas. The new UK wide receivers coach recently offered a scholarship to Ja’Kayden Ferguson, a top 50 WR from Houston powerhouse Fort Bend. Ferguson picked up an offer from Georgia on the same day. Ferguson was in Lexington last month for an unofficial visit. Another may be in store after the latest development.

Boise State Finds Bush Hamdan’s Successor

Boise State went back to a familiar face to find someone to fill the big shoes left by Bush Hamdan. Dirk Koetter will call the offense for the Broncos next fall.

Does that name sound familiar? You probably don’t remember him as the Boise State interim OC in 2022. He was the guy who spent three years coaching the Tampa Bay Bucs from 2016-18. Koetter was canned to bring in Bruce Arians, who won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady as the Tampa Bay quarterback.

Dirk Koetter is a forgettable name in the NFL ranks, but today I learned he was once the Boise State head coach from 1998-00. He was on the sideline when Boise State defeated John L. Smith’s Louisville Cardinals in the 1999 Humanitarian Bowl. The More You Know.