Wednesday Evening Kentucky Football Recruiting Predictions

Before the Kentucky football team returns to the field for fall camp, there are a few recruiting decisions on the horizon. Let’s predict where the players will go, shall we?

Our weekly recruiting update presented by our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

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Ja’Keem Jackson

A four-star talent, Ja’Keem Jackson is ranked as the No. 119 player overall in the On300. Similar to how the Wildcats recruited wide receivers over the last few years, Mark Stoops has put an emphasis on upgrading talent in the secondary from the recruiting trail. Chris Collins brought a couple of Top 200 cornerbacks to campus this summer from the state of Florida. Similar to Robert Stafford, this one feels like Kentucky got a nice swing and had a legitimate shot, but it was too much to overcome the efforts from an in-state school. Jackson will announce his decision tomorrow.

Prediction: Florida

Naquil Betrand

This has been an unconventional recruitment. Naquil Betrand is from Philadelphia and was initially committed to Colorado. After officially visiting Kentucky in June, he announced a top five on July 4. Betrand never said “I’m decommitted,” yet the Buffs weren’t included among his final schools. He was expected to announce his commitment this weekend, but that has been delayed a week until Aug. 6.

Kentucky was not the only SEC school to show interest in Betrand. He officially visited Auburn and unofficially made a trip to Texas A&M. However, Syracuse actually appears to be UK’s top competition. It’s an odd duel, one I believe Zach Yenser will ultimately win.

Prediction: Kentucky

Kendrick Gilbert

It’s been difficult wrapping my head around the recruitment of Kendrick Gilbert. A four-star defensive lineman from Indianapolis Cathedral, he’s ranked as the No. 190 player overall in the On300. For a time it looked like he was ready to commit to Kentucky following a June official visit. My confidence in the Cats’ waned following that development.

LSU has been in the hunt since Brian Kelly moved from Notre Dame to Baton Rouge. For a time Iowa appeared to be UK’s top competition. Now Purdue is trying to slide in and secure an in-state commitment. Despite the back-and-forth, Kentucky is still the team to beat. I’ll feel even more confident in the Cats if he follows through with an unofficial visit to Lexington this weekend. He does not have a decision date, but one is expected to come before his high school season begins in mid-August.

Prediction: Kentucky