Kentucky Football Prepares for Another Big Official Visit Weekend

For the second consecutive week, Mark Stoops’ Kentucky football program is gearing up to host a slew of talented prospects for official visits. Last weekend’s event quickly produced one commitment when IOL Austin Ramsey pledged his allegiance to the BBN. The 2023 recruiting class could get more crowded after these prospects receive the blue carpet treatment. Here’s who is expected to arrive in Lexington this afternoon.

Cristian Conyer

Cristian Conyer is in the middle of the latest contentious recruiting battle between Kentucky and Tennessee. The three-star cornerback from South Warren High School in Bowling Green is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Kentucky according to the the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. 

The Cats will get a crack at Conyer as the Vols gain late momentum in his recruitment. On3’s Chad Simmons logged an RPM prediction for Tennessee this week. In his latest unofficial visit to Lexington, Conyer appeared to throw up the “VOLS” hand signal when posing for a picture with Vince Marrow. Tennessee will get the last official visit before he announces his college decision July 3.

Neeo Avery

A four-star athlete from the DMV, Neeo Avery attends Josh Paschal’s alma mater, Good Counsel. The No. 223 player in the On3 Consensus, the former Penn State commitment recently trimmed his list of schools to six: Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Ole Miss, Oregon and Kentucky. He opened his summer with an official visit to Maryland. A year after stealing a former Penn State pledge, Tyreese Fearbry, Brad White will try to replicate that recruiting success with another talented pass-rusher.

Anthony Brown

Anthony Brown is the highest-ranked player from the state of Ohio the Cats are still pursuing. A four-star prospect from Springfield, the explosive slot is the No. 55 wide receiver in the On3 Consensus. A state track and field meet forced Brown to postpone his official visit a few weeks. In the meantime he took an official visit to Cincinnati. After Luke Fickell failed to lock up Brown, he could be on commitment watch this weekend in Lexington.

Naquil Bertrand

Naquil Bertrand is a Colorado commit from Philadelphia, a rare combination. A 6-foot-6, 320-pound three-star offensive tackle, few believe that commitment will last much longer. Kentucky was the first SEC school to get heavily involved, but Auburn, Texas A&M and Georgia are also making a push for the powerful offensive lineman.

Malachi Wood

The Kentucky commitment has frequented the UK campus in the month of June. The Madison Central athlete made the short drive from Richmond to Lexington for two camps. In-between visits Malachi Wood also took an unofficial trip to Alabama. A three-star prospect, Wood stands over 6-feet 7-inches tall and weighs about 275 pounds.

Kendrick Gilbert

Kendrick Gilbert is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman from perennial powerhouse, Indianapolis Cathedral, the same school as 2024 UK quarterback recruit Danny O’Neil. A four-star prospect, he’s ranked No. 251 in the On300. There are some big players in Gilbert’s recruitment. Last week he officially visited LSU. Following his trip to Lexington he will take an official visit to Iowa. Notre Dame, Tennessee and Penn State are also in the mix.

Jaden Robinson

An unexpected late addition to the guest list, Jaden Robinson announced Friday morning he will take an official visit to Kentucky this weekend. The latest prospect from Central Florida recruited by Mike Stoops, Robinson is one of the best linebackers in America. A four-star recruit, three of the four major recruiting services rank the 6-foot-1 tackler as a top 25 linebacker in the country. Tennessee, Texas A&M and South Carolina are also heavily recruiting Robinson, who has an official visit with the Gamecocks planned for next weekend.