Kentucky WR Target Karmello English Decommits from Auburn

A top Kentucky football recruiting target is back on the open market. Four-star wide receiver Karmello English announced he has reopened his recruitment by decommiting from Auburn.

@ChadSimmons_ @KeithNiebuhr @rivalskeenan @RivalsJohnson @SWiltfong247 @Mansell247 pic.twitter.com/xavyy5zsJO

— karmello english (@EnglishKarmello) September 14, 2022

Karmello English is one of the most talented and explosive wide receivers in America. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound wide receiver is the No. 150 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 23 wide receiver and the No. 14 recruit in Alabama.

The Wildcats put in serious leg-work in his recruit this offseason, hosting English for a visit in the spring and an official visit in June. However, proximity was always a hurdle for Scott Woodward and the Kentucky football coaching staff. Playing for powerhouse Phenix City-Central, it’s a short drive to Auburn’s campus. A frequent visitor on the Plains, he was pushed to commit to the Tigers over the summer.

It’s clear why Bryan Harsin wanted an early commitment. Auburn is off to a 2-0 start, but their passing offense is one of the worst in the SEC, averaging just 190 yards through the air against Mercer and San Jose State. The Tigers’ two quarterbacks have combined for one touchdown and four interceptions this fall.

Meanwhile in Lexington, Tayvion Robinson has shown English a blueprint for success in the slot, while a pair of true freshman wide receivers are proving that young pass-catchers can make an immediate impact in the SEC.

“When the offense changed and you got Will Levis here, do you want to come play in an NFL system?” Vince Marrow said on Tuesday: “You talk to some of our skill guys now that’s in the NFL, they said it was so easy going to the Bengals, going to the Rams, going to Minnesota, it was the same playbook. When you got a QB like Will — I’ve been saying he’s the No. 1 quarterback in the country –guys want to come and play for that, so now it’s easy to go recruit elite receivers.”

After watching English’s highlights, it’s easy to see how he could become the next talented athlete to make explosive plays in UK’s pro-style offense.