Kentucky Football Closing in on Tennessee LB Ethan Crisp

Kentucky kicked off the 2023 football recruiting season by hosting some of its top targets, including a linebacker that is no stranger to the Wildcats. Ethan Crisp spent last weekend in Lexington hanging out with UK’s new linebackers coach, Mike Stoops.

Once Crisp returned home to Mount Juliet, Tn., he cut his list to six. Kentucky is a finalist along with Cincinnati, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Vanderbilt.

Had a great time at the University of Kentucky Saturday!! @Mike_Stoops41 @shaeeflatt @MJGOLDENBEARFB @NCEC_Recruiting @BallHawkU @coachbradwhite1 pic.twitter.com/kClgKAdXsD

— Ethan Crisp – SS/LB (@EthanCrisp12) January 17, 2022

Crisp’s Athleticism Fills a Need

Kentucky has been consistently good at linebacker over the last four-five years. A staple of that meeting room, DeAndre Square, will depart after the 2023 season. Even though the Wildcats have recruited well in the portal and in the high school ranks — Jacquez Jones and Trevin Wallace come to mind — UK needs a good athlete in the middle of its defense in the 2023 class. Crisp fits the mold.

A three-star recruit and top 500 prospect, Eric Wolford has taken the lead in the Nashville metro area. Crisp camped with the Cats over the summer and was one of the top defensive performers. He returned to Lexington to watch the victory over Florida. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has the Cats as the leader in the clubhouse.

In his most recent high school tape, Crisp shows everything UK loves in Will linebackers. He is comfortable dropping back into pass coverage and shows an ability to read a quarterback’s eyes to jump routes. A disruptive blitzer, he also can wreak havoc in pursuit to absolutely wreck plays. Watch Crisp’s tape and remember his name as his recruitment heats up.