Lessons learned from recruiting camp season at Kentucky

Mother nature is letting us know that summer is here in the Bluegrass State with a ferocious heat wave that has hit the Commonwealth. Despite the high temperatures, the Kentucky football program had work to do as an important evaluation period just wrapped up.

On Wednesday, Mark Stoops and his Kentucky football program will close the book on another camp season as the Wildcats hosted a plethora of high school athletes on campus over the last two weeks. KSR was on-site for each event, and we learned a few lessons along the way.

Let’s dive in.

Kentucky seems to be all-in on Danny O’Neil

Thanks in large part to some more turnover at offensive coordinator, Kentucky fell behind in the chase for 2023 quarterbacks. At one point, Christopher Vizzina (Clemson) and Chris Parson (Florida State) looked like top options, but each has remained steady in their commitments. Brock Glenn was seen as an alternate option, but the top-500 recruit is down to Auburn, Ohio State, and TCU.

Due to this, Rich Scangarello has been 100 percent focused on finding a 2024 quarterback. Before Coen bolted for the NFL, Dante Reno seemed to be the guy that Kentucky was focused on. After gathering some intel over the last week, Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral quarterback Danny O’Neil is the clear top target for Kentucky.

A South Carolina commitment almost seems imminent for Reno at this point after visiting Columbia multiple times since the season ended. Kentucky got O’Neil on campus for the second time in the last three months in June but was unable to get the top-500 recruit to workout at camp.

On Monday, multiple members of ONeil’s traveling 7-on-7 team also camped at Kentucky, and Scangarello was seen giving them his undivided attention throughout the camp. Cathedral teammate Kendrick Gilbert is scheduled to take an official to Lexington this weekend. There are strong connections being built as Kentucky pursues O’Neil.

As of now, there appear to be two top candidates in recruitment as Kentucky and Purdue battle it out for the 2024 prospect. However, Jeff Brohm’s program was able to get O’Neil on campus for a camp. O’Neil seems set to play his junior season before making a decision. That means the Wildcats are stuck in the waiting game. However, it is worth noting that top-200 quarterback Rickie Collins is committed to the Boilermakers in 2023 one year after top-125 quarterback Brady Allen signed with Purdue.

Throughout the camp circuit, Kentucky did not get many other quality 2023 quarterbacks on campus, and none of them seem like potential targets down the road. So backup targets likely need to emerge as having all the eggs in one basket at this point can be a tricky proposition.

Regardless, a transfer portal visit will 100 percent be needed once the 2022 season ends to address this position.

Selling Josh Allen is still effective

Former Kentucky standout Josh Allen is entering his fourth season in the NFL and the former top-10 pick has given defensive coordinator Brad White a legit blueprint to sell at that position. Since Allen’s 2018 season when he was the best defensive player in college football, Kentucky has landed three four-star recruits.

The 2022 camp circuit told us more could be on the way.

Both Kylan Fox (2024) and Arvell Reese (2023) visited on Sunday and each looks the part as a potential big-time college football player. Brian Robinson hails from the Youngstown area, and the 2024 prospect flashed some major tools in his camp stop at Kentucky. A top-250 recruit has heavy interest from Michigan, Ohio State, and Pittsburgh already.

Kentucky appears to be in great shape at recruiting this position as high-profile players are camping and seem to be very interested in the blueprint that White can provide at outside linebacker.

Chris Collins, Scott Woodward are showing some recruiting chops

One of the most important things to look for at these camps is if coaches are getting multiple targets on campus for evaluations. Getting this done in the past has helped Kentucky get a leg up on the competition. Secondary coach Chris Collins and wide receivers coach Scott Woodward did a very good job of finding talent and getting it to campus.

On Wednesday, top-500 safety Jaremiah Anglin is camping at Kentucky and that is going on as the same time as fast-rising three-star cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson is taking a multiple-day unofficial visit with the Wildcats. Both players hail from Central Florida and that seems to be a location that the Wildcats are trying to hit hard with both Collins and linebackers coach Mike Stoops. Meanwhile, Collins also got 2023 cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls on campus for an important in-person evaluation and hosted four-star Robert Stafford for an official visit.

For Scott Woodward, the former Pittsburgh quality control assistant is still working in the northeast area for the program, but most of his damage has come in Tennessee. The UMass alum was instrumental in the recruitment of top-100 signee Barion Brown and made some noise during the camp circuit.

A pair of top-250 wideouts in 2024 — Boo Carter and Brandon Heyward — both camped at Kentucky and seem to be very interested in the Wildcats. Amari Jefferson is a high three-star prospect that earned an offer from the Wildcats.

Each player is located in Rocky Top’s backyard, but Woodward has built some great relationships. Kentucky will have the chance to load up at wideout in the Volunteer State in the 2024 class. Meanwhile, Vince Marrow continues to do a good job building relationships in-state and getting the best Kentucky prospect on campus for in-person evaluations.

Setting up these early visits will give Kentucky the needed intel to help fill out future rosters.

Senior commits participating at camp will always be impressive

For college football recruits, camp season really serves two purposes: to begin a recruitment or end a recruitment. Prospects are working out to earn offers and ultimately find their future school. Therefore, when that is accomplished, it’s rare to see that process continue.

However, Kentucky commits Malachi Wood and Tommy Ziesmer both decided to camp, and each looked the part. Wood is a legit 6-foot-7 with an athletic build and true left tackle tools. The Richmond (Ky.) Madison Central product might have the highest ceiling of anyone in Kentucky’s class.

Four-star 2024 edge Brian Robinson working against 2023 UK commit Malachi Wood. pic.twitter.com/16bGWZ0OAh

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) June 9, 2022

Ziesmer is on the smaller side but with a wingspan of 81 inches along with a great motor and heavy hands, the Danville (Ky.) Boyle County product has enough physical tools to translate to the college level.

Last summer, we saw twins Destin Wade and Keaten Wade camped when they didn’t have to. The expectations are high for both heading into 2022. The same could be said for both Wood and Ziesmer. The in-state products showed competitive spirit and traits you are willing to bet on translating.

Get familiar with Cutter Boley

Class of 2025 quarterback Cutter Boley has transferred to Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy for his sophomore season, and the pocket passer will be a prospect of note to monitor moving forward.

Cutter Boley (Lexington Christian, 2025). Offers from UK, Ole Miss, Mizzou, Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/gf3nPNSzwR

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) June 7, 2022

Boley has a strong connection with 2024 wide receiver target Boo Carter thanks to using the same training service in Tennessee. Now the potential blue-chip quarterback prospect will be in Kentucky’s own backyard while the relationship remains strong in Tennessee.

The sophomore is a legit 6-4 or 6-5 and has a big frame to grow into. Boley can also move for his size and flashed some excellent accuracy on vertical throws during camp showing excellent ball placement. Ole Miss, Missouri, and Tennessee have joined Kentucky with scholarship offers, but some blue blood programs are starting to get involved.

Kentucky is on the hunt for a 2024 quarterback, but the answer could be simple for the program in 2025. Now the Wildcats must work on strengthening the relationship with the intriguing young prospect who possesses size, accuracy, and a high ceiling.