Kentucky is one commitment away from another stacked local class

In the 2018 recruiting cycle, Kentucky did not sign one in-state prospect. The Wildcats saw top-ranked player Rondale Moore head to Purdue out of Louisville (Ky.) Trinity and made an immediate change.

During the 2019 recruiting year, Vince Marrow took over the full-time role of in-state recruiting in addition to his duties in Ohio. The recruiting ace scored late commitments from four-star prospects Jared Casey and J.J. Weaver out of Louisville. Kentucky also landed top-ranked player Wan’Dale Robinson before a late flip to Nebraska for the top-100 recruit. However, that 2019 group started a trend.

In four consecutive recruiting classes, Kentucky has signed at least five in-state high school prospects each year. Meanwhile, Robinson and Bowling Green (Ky.) High product Justice Dingle returned home to the program. In the class of 2023, Kentucky is just one spot short of that number.

Bowling Green (Ky.) South Warren defensive back Cristian Conyer is approaching his announcement date. After a big official visit in Lexington, there is a ton of buzz that Marrow is about to log a head-to-head recruiting win over Tennessee. That would give the Wildcats five players from Kentucky in the 2023 class as Conyer would join Ty Bryant, Kaden Moorman, Malachi Wood, and Tommy Ziesmer.

Finding talent from other regions is still very important, but protecting the backyard is a priority for the Kentucky football program. The Wildcats have signed 21 in-state prospects over the last four recruiting classes with eight being four-star recruits. Kentucky can now rely on a good chunk of its class every year coming from inside its own borders.

Cristian Conyer could be the gem of that Kentucky class as the defensive prospect has a legit shot at being the No. 1 player in the state. Meanwhile, Kentucky is still in contact with Louisville (Ky.) Male offensive lineman Woo Spencer, and just issued an offer to Louisville (Ky.) PRP wideout Jakob Dixon.

While Louisville focuses on a national recruiting plan, Kentucky is committed to building its roster from the inside out. Landing a commitment from Conyer on the Fourth of July weekend would help the Wildcats wrap up the in-state work early in the class of 2023.