Kentucky Football deemed recruiting "winner" after beating Florida

Kentucky’s massive upset win against No. 10 Florida over the weekend was just as big for the future of the program as it is for the present. But just how important for recruiting was the first home win over the Gators in 35 years? If you ask our friend over at On3, Jeremy Crabtree, he’d tell you it made a considerable impact.

Every week, Crabtree breaks down his “winners and losers” in the world of recruiting after a weekend of college football. Of his five “winners” from a busy Week 5, the Kentucky Wildcats stood atop his list. Joining UK as Crabtree’s winners were No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Georgia, No. 9 Michigan, and No. 5 Cincinnati. Not bad company to be in…

As for Crabtree’s recruiting “losers”, he pointed to Texas A&M’s second straight loss, Notre Dame falling to non-Power 5 school Cincinnati, and the Wisconsin Badgers looking worse each week.

Recruits normally don’t make decisions based on a one-game performance. But make no mistake, @UKFootball's victory over No. 10 Florida will have an impact on the recruiting trail for @UKCoachStoops >> https://t.co/yFmrlzSSX5 (On3+) #BBN #ForTheTeam pic.twitter.com/oKtbhj1MJr

— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) October 4, 2021

Here’s what Crabtree had to say about the ‘Cats:

Kentucky

The Wildcats are one of the best stories in college football this season and are 5-0 with a 20-13 victory over Florida. And make no mistake, recruits were paying attention.

At the top of the list is Wildcats’ five-star offensive tackle commitment Kiyaunta Goodwin of Charlestown (Ind.) High. Goodwin remains steadfast with his pledge to the Wildcats, despite intense pressure from other recruiters. Goodwin was part of a raucous atmosphere, and he witnessed the wild celebration that took place afterward in Lexington.

“It was absolutely crazy,” Goodwin told On3. “That was the loudest I’ve ever heard that stadium.”

The Wildcats have the nation’s No. 22-ranked class. The victory sends a resounding message to the remaining top targets in the senior class and should give UK momentum with underclass prospects.

Jeremy Crabtree, On3

As we wrote on the site Sunday night, beating Florida was massive for the future of Kentucky Football recruiting, and the national folks agree. UK isn’t some gimmick program with a couple of decent years–you can come to Lexington and play at the highest level college football has to offer.

Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow said it best after the win.

“A whole ‘nother level,” Marrow said during the KSR Postgame Show on Saturday about where this win takes Kentucky recruiting. “Because here’s the deal. You beat a team like Florida, who recently went toe-to-toe with Alabama, and I’m talking to all the players–When you stay in this state, you see what Wan’Dale did tonight. Wan’Dale is a very phenomenal player. So to anybody listening it ain’t about no recruiting pitch. You can do it at Kentucky now. Quit letting people fool you. This is where it’s going to be done at. Trust me.”

The Wildcat coaching staff took a slight risk by packing the house with recruits for the Florida game, but it paid off more than they likely could have ever anticipated. Now it’s time to do it all over again against LSU this weekend.

[On3+]