Kentucky's 2024 recruiting class is pushing for snaps

After a slow start on the recruiting trail in the 2024 cycle, Kentucky hit the gas in September to record some massive recruiting wins. Jacob Smith and Jerod Smith II got the party started. Brian Robinson came later. Then the Wildcats flipped Jason Patterson from Cincinnati. Kentucky generated a ton of late high school recruiting momentum during the season and that is starting to pay dividends.

Cutter Boley was an anchor of the class at quarterback, and the upside remains extremely high for the Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy product. The same could be said for Hardley Gilmore IV at wide receiver. All of these players were early enrollees for Kentucky, and they have each made a splash this spring.

“The newcomers have really picked things up really good. That whole class I’m just very impressed with. From the twins to B-Rob, to Cutter as I mentioned, Patterson. That’s just a good group,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said on Saturday. “All of them. They’re good football players and getting better.”

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Patterson and Gilmore were each featured heavily with the second unit and look like skill talent players who can help Kentucky this season. Patterson showed off some good burst and a downhill running style that could lead to playing time. Gilmore was targeted frequently by Beau Allen and has a bright future at wide receiver.

On defense, we saw Robinson and Jerod Smith II get high-volume reps. The latter recorded a nice run stuff after a quick win against the second-team offense. Jacob Smith is still nursing an injury but could become a factor at EDGE.

After seeing the 2023 high school recruiting class mostly redshirt last season that might not be the case in 2024. Kentucky has some young players who can help immediately. Expect to see some true frosh on the field in the fall.