First official visit weekend will be colossal for Kentucky football

After a late cancellation by Anthony Brown, Kentucky did not have any official visitors on campus last weekend to begin the June recruiting period. The Wildcats are making up for it this weekend.

Mark Stoops and his coaching staff will be welcoming 10 official visitors this weekend to go along with a surprise guest or two as the program looks to create some momentum in the class of 2023.

KSR has confirmed the official visitor list through sources and conversations with prospects in the class. Let’s get Friday started with the prospects that will get the red carpet treatment from the coaching staff as the official visit season begins.

The commitments

Kentucky had specifically scheduled its commitments to take official visits in the summer on this specific weekend. We now know why as the coaching staff will have a ton of talent on campus as they show off their program. Everyone but Kaden Moorman and Malachi Wood will be making the trip to Lexington.

Ty Bryant — The three-star prospect out of Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass committed to Kentucky in August before deciding to reclassify to 2023. Now the legacy recruit will take his first official visit. Bryant was spotted at Tuesday’s recruiting camp watching the action from the sideline.

Tanner Lemaster — After camping at Kentucky last summer, the Ohio tight end seemed like a heavy Kentucky lean. After moving his announcement date a few times, Lemaster committed to the Wildcats in April. The 6-foot-5, 241-pound prospect will be returning to campus this weekend for his official visit.

Shamar Porter — The highest-ranked commit in Kentucky’s class, Porter will be coming up from Nashville for his official visit this weekend. A top-200 recruit, the 6-foot-3 wideout will be one of many blue-chip prospects hosted by the coaching staff.

Tommy Ziesmer — After camping at Kentucky on Tuesday, the Danville (Ky.) Boyle County defensive end will return to Lexington this weekend. Ziesmer was quick to commit to the program in May and figures to be one of the most solid pledges in the 2023 recruiting haul.

Big Blue Wall will be busy

Offensive line coach Zach Yenser and graduate assistant Drake Jackson are set to have their hands full this weekend. There will be at least a pair of offensive line prospects visiting as Kentucky is looking to find help at center, guard, and tackle in the class of 2023.

Koby Keenum — Last week, the Florence (Ala.) Mars Hill Bible School offensive lineman included Kentucky in his top five and then immediately scheduled an official visit to Lexington. Keenum will also be making a trip to Louisville next weekend. Meanwhile, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and North Carolina are also involved. It seems that the Wildcats like Keenum at center and the three-star prospect could quietly be one of the most important prospects on campus this week.

Austin Ramsey — On Thursday, the Philadelphia Roman Catholic guard announced that he will also be taking a trip to Kentucky. The 6-foot-4, 365-pound lineman took spring visits to Boston College, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and West Virginia. However, Kentucky will get the first official visit.

There will be star power

The biggest development this week was the amount of blue-chip talent Kentucky will be bringing on campus. There are some potential difference makers that the coaching staff is in on, and a couple of big recruiting wins could go a long way.

Karmello English — A top-150 prospect out of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, English has legitimate interest from both Alabama and Auburn, but the first official visit will go to Kentucky. The wideout will be returning to Lexington after taking an unofficial visit in April.

#BBN LETS GO!! pic.twitter.com/hIQc88ZXv7

— karmello english (@EnglishKarmello) April 21, 2022

Robert Stafford — The Florida cornerback is a top-200 prospect who emerged this week when he announced an official visit to Kentucky. Arkansas has a lot of momentum while both Miami and Oregon are involved. However, the Wildcats get the first official as secondary coach Chris Collins will look to make a big impression.

Avery Stuart — The top-250 prospect out of Montgomery (Ala.) Alabama Christian Academy included Kentucky in his top six and immediately scheduled an official visit with the Wildcats. Kentucky will again get the first official visit as the program attempts to record another big recruiting win in Alabama.

Expect surprises

Late in the week, KSR discovered three names that came off the radar in recruiting circles. At least two players will be on campus this weekend as Kentucky looks to deliver some summer surprises on the recruiting trail.

Naquil Betrand — A three-star offensive tackle out of Philadelphia Northeast, Betrand is a Colorado commit who released a top-10 on Wednesday with Kentucky making an appearance. Auburn and Georgia have recently issued offers to this fast-rising prospect.

Grant Godfrey — Kentucky has been after the top-200 linebacker for quite some time, and now three schools are emerging in this recruitment. The Wildcats are looking to make a quick move here for the Georgia product. KSR spoke with Godfrey on Thursday who is planning on making a trip to Lexington on Saturday.

Khalifa Keith — In a surprise on Thursday, a running back emerged from off of the board. The Birmingham (Ala.) Parker tailback is considered a linebacker prospect by some, but Kentucky likes the 200-pound athlete with the ball in his hands. Keith is currently unranked but just received offers from both Florida State and Georgia Tech after unofficial visits. Now Kentucky will host the rising back for an official visit.