Kendrick Gilbert, 4-Star Defensive Lineman, Flips from Purdue to Kentucky

It’s a Merry Flipmas for Kentucky on National Signing Day. Mark Stoops’ Wildcats will secure a signature from Kendrick Gilbert, a four-star defensive lineman previously committed to Purdue.

Kendrick Gilbert revealed on National Signing Day that he will be a Kentucky Wildcat. A lengthy recruitment, the Indianapolis Cathedral product officially visited LSU, Notre Dame, Purdue and Kentucky over the summer. The nearby school won the initial battle, but the Wildcats won the war.

Cathedral defensive lineman Kendrick Gilbert committed to Kentucky this morning. Gilbert, a 4-star prospect on the 247sports composite, was committed to Purdue prior to coaching change.

— Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) February 1, 2023

He committed to Purdue in August. Kentucky remained in contact throughout the recruiting process, and when Jeff Brohm moved to Louisville, UK’s coaching staff seized the opportunity. New head coach Ryan Walters hosted the local prospect in West Lafayette last week, but Kentucky got the final opportunity to close with an unofficial visit to Lexington last weekend.

A 6-foot-5, 300-pound lengthy athlete in the trenches, he’s a four-star talent and the No. 375 player in America according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also a Top 50 player at his position and the No. 3 player in the state of Indiana.

Kendrick Gilbert is the fifth consensus four-star prospect to join Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class. The second addition to Kentucky’s defensive line, like Tavion Gadson, Gilbert’s measurables fit exactly what the Wildcats are looking for in their 3-4 scheme.

Kendrick Gilbert Scouting Report

From On3’s Scouting Department: “Physically-gifted defensive lineman with one of the best frames and length in the 2023 cycle. Has measured at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds with arms over 35 inches prior to his senior season. Possesses elite length. Plays for a top high school program in Indiana and helped his team to a state title as a junior. Moves all over the defensive line, but projects as a defensive tackle long-term. Gives opposing offensive linemen issues with his length. A solid on-field athlete. Quickness is solid to good. Shows flashes of a quick first step but can be inconsistent with his jump off the ball. Shows good speed in pursuit with the ability to track down runners from the backside. Can ratchet up his production as a senior, as he was credited with 45 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Just scratching the surface of his considerable potential.”