Jamarion Wilcox, 3-Star Running Back, Commits to Kentucky

Kentucky’s backfield just got better. The Wildcats just picked up a commitment from Jamarion Wilcox. A late riser in the recruiting rankings, Wilcox is a running back with home run playmaking ability. Once a Georgia Tech commit, Kentucky beat out Clemson, Ohio State and withstood a late push from Auburn to secure the talented rusher’s signature.

Jamarion Wilcox is the No. 40 running back in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He recently rose up through Rivals rankings, now considered the ninth-ranked running back and the No. 146 player overall.

Kentucky’s new running backs coach, Jay Boulware, played a significant role down the stretch in Wilcox’s recruitment. Hugh Freeze tried to convince Wilcox to officially visit Auburn during the final weekend of the contact recruiting period. Instead, Boulware was in the athlete’s living room and Wilcox was wearing a Kentucky sweatshirt.

Wilcox tested the Big Blue Nation’s patience. Many thought he would quickly pull the trigger a few days after that in-home visit. The Early Signing Period came and went. Still, Mark Stoops’ words provided some reassurance after another decision date was delayed.

“We have one more big-time guy out there that’s a lightning bolt that can go,” Mark Stoops told KSR a day after Signing Day. “He’s a playmaker, an offensive playmaker that I believe we still have a good chance to still get in the boat and that would really be a home run for us.”

A 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back from Douglasville, GA, in 2022 Jamarion Wilcox averaged 9.0 yards per carry. He surpassed the 2,000-yard threshold with 2,059 yards and 29 touchdowns on 229 carries. Despite his size, or lack there of, Wilcox is comfortable navigating through traffic and fighting through tackles to make big plays. An exceptional runner, he can help continue Kentucky’s legacy of success in the running back room.