Liam Coen issues pair of QB offers during Kentucky's junior day

The end of the second half at Rupp Arena against Kansas was an unfortunate ending to a great day in Lexington. By all accounts, The 15 Club Fan Fest was a raving success and the Kentucky football program had a plethora of young talented prospects on campus for a huge unofficial visit weekend.

There have been no commitments yet to come out of that weekend, but some big scholarships were issued out at the most important position in football.

On the “11 Personnel” podcast, Nick Roush and myself have talked at length about the high school quarterback recruiting issue that Kentucky football is dealing with. If it wasn’t for an injury and bowl game opt out by Will Levis, a high school recruit would not have started at Kentucky since 2016. That is a long time even when you consider that this is the transfer portal era. One of the top tasks for Liam Coen upon arrival is to help Kentucky fix this issue.

Since his arrival, we’ve seen Coen issue an offer to Florida commit DJ Lagway (class of 2024). On Saturday, the former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator turned his attention to the class of 2025. Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy quarterback Cutter Boley is a known target, but there a couple more names we need to have on our radars.

Kentucky is emerging as a top option for Ryan Montgomery

Findlay (Ohio) High quarterback Ryan Montgomery is currently ranked as a top-50 prospect and the No. 3 quarterback in the class of 2023 per the On3 Consensus. The 6-5 passer is having a recruitment that backs up that ranking.

The Northwest Ohio native has taken multiple unofficial visits to Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee. However, Montgomery’s trip to Lexington was his third since June and the first with Coen on campus. The rising sophomore received a verbal scholarship offer from Kentucky’s new play-caller.

I am excited and blessed to have received an offer from The University of Kentucky! #BBN @UKCoachStoops @LiamCoen @vincemarrow @ChaseHeuke @Ty_Williams16 pic.twitter.com/oHYESZotLp

— Ryan Montgomery (@RyanMonty2025) January 28, 2023

Montgomery’s older brother, Luke Montgomery, will be a freshman offensive lineman at Ohio State this fall. If the Buckeyes zero in on the younger Montgomery it will likely be very difficult for anyone to keep him from going to Columbus. However, Ohio State stacks elite quarterbacks consistently and there might just be a chance where the younger Montgomery will need to look somewhere else.

Kentucky is putting itself in a great position to be a landing spot for the blue-chip quarterback. Now the next step is to get this prospect on campus in the summer for a camp workout.

Stone Saunders

Boley and Montgomery have been known commodities for Kentucky in the class of 2025 for quite some time. However, a new name emerged this weekend when Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt quarterback Stone Saunders made it to Lexington.

Coen wasted no time in showing the interest level that UK has in this young quarterback.

#AGTG After a great visit I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Kentucky!! Thanks @LiamCoen @CoachWoody7 @UKCoachStoops for the opportunity! #BBN #GBB pic.twitter.com/TDV61d2aEs

— Stone Saunders (@Stone_Saunders8) January 28, 2023

Last season, Saunders accounted for 54 touchdowns and is officially on the Power Five radar. Colorado, Nebraska, Rutgers, and West Virginia have all issued verbal scholarship offers since December. The 6-2 quarterback is currently unranked in the On3 Consensus but that will not be the case for long.

Kentucky is making moves in the QB market. Expect more developments to occur as we move forward. The Cats are on their way to finding a very good prospect in 2025.