How Kentucky can finish with Best Football Recruiting Class in School History

Kentucky’s success on the field has turned into tangible recruiting momentum. This is not the first time this phenomenon has occurred with Stoops leading the Wildcats’ football program, but now UK is taking it to another level. If UK finishes the season strong, a handful of players could make this the best Kentucky football recruiting class in school history.

Early Kentucky Football Recruiting Momentum

When Kentucky won its tenth game of the 2018 season at the Citrus Bowl over Penn State, it had already signed most of its 2019 recruiting class. It took another year for the Wildcats to capitalize on the momentum, signing Justin Rogers, Josaih Hayes and Mike Drennen in 2020 to finish with a top 25 class. The Wildcats can turn a 6-0 start into recruiting success right now because they’ve been fishing in the right recruiting waters while sustaining success on the field.

The first recruiting priority is always in Kentucky. Vince Marrow’s relationship with Kiyaunta Goodwin is at least five years old, helping UK land the generational talent. UK has four commitments from the state of Kentucky and could add more. Marrow has also pulled a couple of players from Ohio that are blossoming into stars.

Marrow’s ability to maintain the status quo near home allowed other coaches to branch out to different areas. Brad White secured commits from a defensive lineman from Delaware and a Top 150 edge defender from Pittsburgh. The Wildcats went all in on the Wade Twins early and never relinquished until they committed to Kentucky. UK has the bones of a great class, and they can add to it.

Kentucky 2022 Football Commits

Name	Position	HT/WT	Hometown	Ranking
Kiyaunta Goodwin	OT	6-7 / 300	Louisville, KY	No. 16
Tyreese Fearbry	Edge	6-5 / 225	Pittsburgh, PA	No. 117
Keaten Wade	Edge	6-4 / 225	Spring Hill, TN	No. 300
Alex Afari	DB	6-2 / 195	West Chester, OH	No. 214
Grant Bingham	OT	6-6 / 305	Paintsville, KY	4-Star
Destin Wade	ATH	6-3 / 205	Spring Hill, TN	4-Star
Treyveon Longmire	ATH	6-2 / 170	Corbin, KY	No. 278
Andre Stewart	CB	6-0 / 170	Kennesaw, GA	3-Star
Nikolas Hall	OL	6-6 / 310	Austin, TX	3-Star
Jordan Anthony	WR	5-11 / 160	Tylertown, MS	3-Star
Josh Kattus	TE	6-4 / 235	Cincinnati, OH	3-Star
Tomiwa Durojaiye	DL	6-4 / 255	Middletown, DE	3-Star
DeCarlos Nicholson	CB	6-3 / 200	Petal, MS	#1 JUCO CB
Brandon White	WR	5-9 / 165	Cincinnati, OH	3-Star
Jackson Smith	K	5-11 /170	Danville, KY	2-Star

Closing the Deal on Uncommitted Stars

Kentucky is now fishing in waters typically only reserved for college football’s elite. Those doors have been opened by winning big games and creating opportunities in Liam Coen’s offense. Now Kentucky is in position to land high-profile players at the most difficult positions to recruit.

Barion Brown

One a dark horse candidate, now Kentucky is the team to beat for the second-ranked wide receiver and No. 13 player overall in the 2022 recruiting class. Considered one of the fastest players in America, Kentucky has sold Brown the chance to be the guy right away, while Alabama has seemingly thrown in the towel. His commitment date in unknown, but he could pop anytime.

Dane Key

The long recruitment of the UK legacy is one week away from reaching its conclusion. Kentucky probably would not have been the destination for the playmaking wide receiver before Coen came to Kentucky. Now that the Wildcats are lighting up the scoreboard with a quarterback who needs help next year, UK has set the table for the four-star prospect.

Aamil Wagner

Marrow has known Wagner for a decade. He recruited his older brother, Ahmad, out of high school, then convinced him to put down a basketball at Iowa and play football for Kentucky. The former wide receiver is now a grad assistant on Stoops’ staff right as his younger brother is prepared to make a decision. The offensive tackle is the No. 116 player in America. He could wait until the All-American Game to decide, or announce an early UK selection over Penn State, Ohio State and Notre Dame (where he will be visiting this weekend).

Deone Walker

Kentucky refocused its recruiting efforts, shifting from Detroit to the Atlanta metro area when Steve Clinkscale departed for Michigan. They did not completely abandon the Motor City. Deone Walker is a game-changing defensive tackle from DeAndre Square’s alma mater, Cass Tech. A 6-foot-6, 250 pound prospect, he’s built like Georgia’s Jordan Davis.

Michigan has been the long-time favorite for the top 200 recruit, but Kentucky is turning the tide after he visited for the win over Florida. Walker plans on officially visiting Kentucky just before signing day in December.

“UK they’ve been keeping in touch with me a lot,” Walker told KSR earlier this month. “I’d say they talk to me the most, or it’s either them or Michigan.”

Big Kentucky Football Recruiting Picture

Sealing the deal for the final four top guys on UK’s big board once felt like a pipe dream. We’re inching closer to it becoming a reality. If Kentucky can pick up commitments from Brown, Key, Walker and Wagner, the Wildcats would have a top 20 class with six top 200 players and a dozen four-star prospects. That does not include whatever surprise Jon Sumrall has cooked up to unveil in December, or who the Cats may bring in from the transfer portal.

Of course, football recruiting is dynamic. Much can change between now and Dec. 15. If Kentucky can continue to build momentum, it should be an historic signing day at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.