First Down Kentucky: Chris Collins gets some big targets on campus

Defensive backs coach Chris Collins recently received a promotion heading into year four at Kentucky. The former recruiting coordinator at Georgia State is now the co-defensive coordinator in Lexington. Part of the reason for that promotion is what Collins has accomplished on the recruiting trail.

Collins plays a significant role in Kentucky’s traditional Southeastern Conference footprint recruiting. The North Carolina native was the lead recruiter for Jaremiah Anglin Jr. (Central Florida), Tavion Gadson (Southeast Georgia), Devin Smith (Southeast Georgia), Quavo Marshall (South Georgia), and Quay’sheed Scott (South Carolina). Collins plays a big role in Kentucky’s talent accumulation and is currently building some strong relationships with 2025 prospects.

Over the last few days, Kentucky hosted top-300 defensive backs Graceson Littleton and Cortez Thomas for unofficial visits. Collins once again has Kentucky in the mix for multiple prospects in the south. After a breakthrough recruiting campaign in the 2024 cycle, some more good wins on the trail could be coming for Collins after his latest raise received from Kentucky.

In Wednesday’s edition of First Down Kentucky, KSR is taking a closer look at a big blue-chip recruitment in Ohio and why Florida made their latest homecoming decision.

Kentucky is firmly in the hunt for Marquise Davis

Kentucky has not signed a top-250 high school prospect at tailback since Boom Williams in the 2014 cycle. That could be changing in 2025. The Wildcats received some good news this week regarding one of Vince Marrow‘s top targets on the trail.

One day after news leaked that Marquise Davis would be taking an official visit to Kentucky in June, the top-200 recruit trimmed his list. Kentucky made the cut. The Wildcats are in a position to make a big splash in the Buckeye State.

After rushing for over 2,000 yards for Cleveland (Ohio) Heights as a junior, Davis has become one of the top tailbacks in the 2025 class. Kentucky has a great shot in this recruiting battle.

Kentucky will be Florida’s homecoming opponent

Kentucky currently owns a three-game winning streak against Florida. The Wildcats have beaten the Gators in four of the last six meetings. Three of those wins have come by double-digits. Despite that recent surge in the series, Florida was willing to make Kentucky their homecoming opponent in 2024.

A big weekend will be awaiting the Wildcats at The Swamp when Billy Napier‘s third team in Gainesville hosts Kentucky on Oct. 19. Why would Florida make this move? Likely because their schedule is ridiculous.

The Gators play 11 power conference foes in 2024. In the non-conference, Florida will host Miami (Aug. 31) and UCF (Oct. 5) before ending the season on the road against Florida State (Nov. 30). The home conference slate is a gauntlet with Texas A&M (Sept. 14), Kentucky (Oct. 19), LSU (Nov. 16), and Ole Miss (Nov. 23) each making the trek to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. There are also games away from home against Mississippi State (Sept. 21), Tennessee (Oct. 12), Georgia (Nov. 2), and Texas (Nov. 9). Napier’s seat is warm and might only get hotter in 2024.

By process of elimination, Kentucky will be Florida’s homecoming opponent. Take out the COVID-19 season and Florida has not beaten the Cats in Gainesville since 2016. Will the Gators end that trend this fall?

Kentucky’s Drip

What Kentucky coach has the most drip inside the Joe Craft Football Training Facility? Let the players tell you. Drake Jackson, Vince Marrow, Dakiel Shorts Jr., and Mark Stoops are some of the coaches receiving votes.

Which coach do you think is the drippiest? 🥶 pic.twitter.com/DxJxdXY5yH

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 3, 2024

Is drippiest a word? Well, it is now.