Kentucky cracks top 8 for 3-star '24 EDGE Amontrae Bradford

Amontrae Bradford is beginning to wind down his recruiting process.

On Thursday afternoon, it was announced through Rivals that the Statesboro (GA) High product has narrowed his list of college options down to a final eight. Kentucky made Bradford’s cut, as did Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Indiana, Colorado, and Mississippi State. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound EDGE prospect is set to officially visit UK this fall when the Wildcats face Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 9.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Bradford is considered the No. 871 overall recruit from the class of 2024.

🚨 Top Eight 🚨

Three ⭐️ DE Amontrae Bradford announces his Top 8 schools

Bradford has over 25+ offers is now down to eight

Who will he choose? 👀 pic.twitter.com/BbhpyJE8x9

— Rivals (@Rivals) June 29, 2023

Bradford holds over two dozen Divison I scholarship offers and his list of finalists suggests he might be worthy of a higher ranking. Kentucky was his 21st offer, which he earned not all that long ago in May. UK defensive coordinator Brad White personally visited Bradford to extend the scholarship, although Bradford’s communication with the ‘Cats primarily goes through defensive backs coach Chris Collins.

“It’s kinda hard not to have a connection with Coach Collins,” Bradford told KSR last month. “He’s the type of guy that’s gonna tell you how it is and he gonna talk to you. I can talk to him about really anything, it doesn’t always have to be about football. He’s someone that’s really good to talk to.”

Bradford has already taken four official visits since June began, all of them making his top 8: Georgia Tech (June 2), Virginia Tech (June 9), Indiana (June 16), and Vanderbilt (June 23). Kentucky is currently his only OV scheduled for the fall, but more could be in the works. He’ll be joined in Lexington by his Statesboro teammate, four-star ’24 CB Kam Mikell.

A decision for Bradford is expected after he takes his official visit(s) in the fall.