Kentucky is still recruiting Detroit

Maxwell Hairston and Deone Walker were both early entrants into the 2025 NFL Draft. Both defensive starters for Kentucky are former All-SEC performers who currently project as second round draft picks. Each was a recruiting win for the Kentucky program in Detroit.

Despite losing Khamari Anderson to Arizona State (via the transfer portal), this program is still making a commitment to recruit Greater Detroit. Another Motor City native was on campus over the weekend for what was a big recruiting event for the Kentucky program.

Had a great time today @UKFootball thanks @vincemarrow @UKCoachStoops @FBCoachWolf for having me out!! Can’t wait to be back in the spring!! pic.twitter.com/dWTrXxlIsV

— Jack Janda (@JackJanda87) January 18, 2025

Novi (Mich.) Detroit Catholic Central tight end Jack Janda is a high three-star recruit in the 2026 cycle and a top-10 player in Michigan. Vince Marrow and Eric Wolford are running point on this recruitment for the Wildcats. The tight end prospect was in Lexington on Saturday and was scheduled to be at Michigan State on Sunday.

Jack Janda camped at Michigan and Michigan State last summer and also owns a scholarship offers from Wisconsin and Miami. Kentucky offered the prospect last May.

As the transfer portal activity wraps up, Kentucky has shifted into high school recruiting mode as Mark Stoops and his staff attempt to build for the future. Jack Janda is an emerging prospect receiving a legitimate Big Ten recruitment. The Cats will look to sell the SEC and the recent proof of concept for Detroit prospects in Lexington.

Recruiting never stops.

Kentucky’s Class of 2025

Player	High School	Position	Ranking
Mikkel Skinner	Greer (S.C.) Riverside	TE (6-3, 220)	4-star (No. 222 overall)
Martels Carter	Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman	S (6-1, 185)	4-star (No. 256 overall)
Andrew Purcell	Enterprise (Ala.) High	CB (5-9, 185)	4-star (No. 257 overall)
Javeon Campbell	Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills	DL (6-5, 260)	4-star (No. 297 overall)
Cedric Works Jr.	Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass	EDGE (6-5, 230)	4-star (No. 312 overall)
Darrin Strey	Paw Paw (Mich.) High	T (6-6, 295)	4-star (No. 364 overall)
Kalen Edwards	Dyersburg (Tenn.) High	iDL (6-4, 325)	High 3-star (No. 403 overall)
Cameron Miller	Atco (N.J.) Winslow Township	WR (5-10, 155)	High 3-star (No. 458 overall)
Dejerrian Miller	St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter	WR (6-3, 190)	High 3-star (No. 462 overall)
Demarcus Gardner	Cedartown (Ga.) High	CB (6-0, 165)	High 3-star (No. 565 overall)
Quintin Simmons	Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow	WR (6-0, 170)	High 3-star (No. 578 overall)
Preston Bowman	Pickerington (Ohio) North	WR (6-0, 196)	3-star (No. 650 overall)
Dyllon Williams	Demopolis (Ala.) High	S (6-2, 180)	3-star (No. 659 overall)
Stone Saunders	Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt	QB (6-0, 205)	3-star (No. 755 overall)
Montavin Quisenberry	Danville (Ky.) Boyle County	WR (5-9, 175)	3-star (No. 759 overall)
Jayden Clark	Clayton (Ohio) Northmont	iOL (6-5, 250)	3-star (No. 856 overall)
Brennen Ward	Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln	QB (6-3, 215)	3-star (No. 945 overall)
Jermiel Atkins	Trotwood (Ohio) Madison	T (6-8, 270)	3-star (No. 985 overall)
Grant Grayton	Olney (Md.) Good Counsel	CB (6-2, 195)	3-star (No. 1,124 overall)
Bryan Auguste	Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch	T (6-6, 285)	3-star (No. 1,142 overall)
Nicholas Smith	Loganville (Ga.) Walnut Grove	DL (6-5, 275)	3-star (No. 1,186 overall)