4-Star WR Hardley Gilmore commits to Kentucky

Kentucky already has an elite quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, Cutter Boley; now, the Wildcats also have an elite wide receiver. Four-star receiver Hardley Gilmore committed to Kentucky, becoming the 14th member of the 2024 class.

Formerly a 2025 recruit, Gilmore announced a reclassification to 2024 when he arrived on Kentucky’s campus for an official visit in June. He is the No. 282 overall player and the No. 47 wide receiver in the On3 Industry Rankings. A native of Belle Glade, FL (Pahokee), Gilmore is rated as a four-star prospect by On3, ESPN, and Rivals.

Kentucky offered Gilmore a scholarship in mid-May and after his trip to Lexington in June, he also visited UCF and Penn State. He also has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, Penn State, Michigan, and several other top programs. During his sophomore season in 2022 at IMG Academy, Gilmore recorded 43 receptions for over 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Gilmore’s Top 50 wide receiver ranking puts him in rarified air. The only out-of-state wide receivers to sign with Kentucky during the Mark Stoops era ranked higher are Lynn Bowden and Barion Brown. Currently, Gilmore is the fourth highest-ranked player in Kentucky’s 2024 class behind Boley (No. 140), cornerback Terhyon Nichols (No. 196), and linebacker Elijah Groves (No. 231).

Early in the recruiting process, Boley developed a close relationship with Gilmore, paving the way for wide receiver coach Scott Woodward to close with a significant recruiting win for one of the best catchers from the state of Florida.

Kentucky Football’s 2024 Recruiting Class

*All player ratings are courtesy of the On3 Industry Ranking*

1. Cutter Boley (QB) 6-5, 200 | Lexington Christian Academy (Hodgenville, KY) –> Committed 5/18/23
   • 4-star: No. 140 overall, No. 9 QB
2. Terhyon Nichols (CB) 5-11, 185 | Withrow (Cincinnati, OH) –> Committed 7/2/23
   • 4-star: No. 196 overall, No. 22 CB
3. Elijah Groves (LB) 6-3, 210 | East Robertson (Cross Plains, TN) –> Committed 7/1/23
   • 4-star: No. 231 overall, No. 22 LB
4. Hardley Gilmore (WR) 6-1, 165 | Pahokee (Belle Glade, FL) –> Committed 8/25/23
   • 4-star: No. 282 overall, No. 47 WR
5. Tovani Mizell (RB) 6-1, 195 | Western (Fort Lauderdale, FL) –> Committed 6/21/23
   • 3-star: No. 523 overall, No. 43 RB
6. Jiquavious “Quavo” Marshall (ATH) 6-4, 180 | Westside (Macon, GA) –> Committed 6/21/23
   • 3-star: No. 545 overall, No. 20 ATH
7. Aba Selm (IOL) 6-4, 295 | Simon Kenton (Independence, KY) –> Committed 2/2/23
   • 3-star: No. 617 overall, No. 48 IOL
8. David Washington Jr (WR) 5-10, 180 | St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) -> Committed 7/8/23
   • 3-star: No. 803 overall, No. 124 WR
9. Caleb Redd (EDGE) 6-4, 220 | DeSmet (Saint Louis, MO) –> Committed 6/28/23
   • 3-star: No. 834 overall, No. 60 EDGE
10. Willie Rodriguez (TE) 6-4, 225 | Covington Catholic (Covington, KY) –> Committed 6/23/23
    • 3-star: No. 893 overall, No. 48 TE
11. Antwan Smith (EDGE) 6-3, 195 | Westlake (Atlanta, GA) –> Committed 6/11/23
    • 3-star: No. 919 overall, No. 88 EDGE
12. Steven Soles (EDGE) 6-2, 215 | Powell (TN) -> Committed 8/2/23
    • 3-star: No. 922, No. 89 LB
13. Hayes Johnson (OT) 6-3, 295 | Taylor County (Campbellsville, KY) –> Committed 1/26/23
    • 3-star: No. 1,082 overall, No. 96 OT
14. Quaysheed “Q” Scott (ATH) 6-0, 185 | Marion (Marion, SC) –> Committed 7/4/23
    • 3-star: No. 1,182 overall, No. 58 ATH
15. Jadon Lafontant (IOL) 6-4, 315 | Brunswick School (Old Greenwich, CT) –> Committed 6/19/23
    • 3-star: No. 1,243 overall, No. 107 IOL
16. Jacob Kauwe (K) 6-2, 200 | Billings West (Billings, MT) –> Committed 6/20/23
    • 3-star: No. 1,739, No. 7 K