Frederick Douglass 3-star OT Zuri Madison locks in 3 official visits

Lexington’s own Frederick Douglass High School has become a welcome pipeline for the Kentucky football program. The Wildcats currently feature four former Broncos on the roster, all of whom were high-level recruits. Sophomore WR Dane Key, sophomore OL Jager Burton, redshirt sophomore WR Dekel Crowdus, and freshman DB Ty Bryant make up the pool of Douglass players who stayed close to home to suit up for UK.

But it’s not just Kentucky that benefits from the multiple Divison I prospects that Frederick Douglass pumps out on a yearly basis. Other schools have dipped into the local program to see what’s available. Clemson, Baylor, Cincinnati, and Purdue are just a handful of the big-name schools to secure commitments from former Broncos over the last few years.

One of the latest Frederick Douglass products to receive high-level Power 5 interest is Zuri Madison, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive tackle from the class of 2024. Madison is a three-star prospect considered to be the No. 701 recruit in the country and the No. 3 ranked player from the Bluegrass State, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

As expected, Kentucky made early contact with the talented lineman, who earned an offer from the Wildcats back in Dec. 2022 courtesy of associate head coach Vince Marrow and offensive line coach Zach Yenser. Madison took a gameday visit to UK a couple of months before then to watch the ‘Cats beat Northern Illinois at Kroger Field.

I am blessed to receive an offer from The University of Kentucky. Go Wildcats ‼️🔵⚪️ @coachnatemcpeek @vincemarrow @OL_Coach_Yenser @UKCoachStoops @FDouglassFB pic.twitter.com/pkOJbpaONg

— Zuri Madison🌟 (@Zuri__Madison) December 15, 2022

But other programs quickly got involved too — Miami (FL), Illinois, Duke, and Arkansas have all extended offers since Kentucky did the same back in the winter.

Now, Madison has begun to schedule his official visits for this summer, but so far, UK isn’t among the group. He tells KSR that three OVs have been locked in for next month: West Virginia (June 9), Arkansas (June 16), and Miami [FL] (June 23). WVU offered him right before UK did, Miami has been on him since December, and Arkansas joined the party earlier this month. Those three have prioritized the in-state product ever since they extended scholarships. He’s previously visited WVU and Miami.

As recently as April, Kentucky was not in contact with Madison, but that has changed as of late. Talks have picked back up between the two sides and now Madison intends to camp at UK in June.

“They (Kentucky) are wanting me to come to camp to show them what I’m about,” Madison told KSR.

A solid camp performance from Madison could propel him back onto Kentucky’s radar. UK currently has just three commitments for the class of 2024 with four-star QB Cutter Boley, three-star IOL Aba Selm, and three-star OT Hayes Johnson — all in-state prospects.