Recruiting battles are heating up between Kentucky, Michigan State

Following a surprise retirement from Mark Dantonio, Michigan State went out and hired Colorado head coach Mel Tucker. His first order of business was trying to pluck someone off Mark Stoops’ staff at Kentucky.

After considering the job, recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow decided to stay at Kentucky and is being paid very well thanks to that decision. However, that pursuit was a clear sign — the Spartans and Wildcats were going to duel on the recruiting trail.

Most of those battles were expected to go on in Ohio and Michigan as both programs dueled for high school prospects. Kentucky seems to have defeated the Spartans for Metro Cincinnati cornerback Alex Afari, and both programs have recruited Detroit defensive tackle Deone Walker very hard.

Outside of that, the biggest battles are looming for the two as the early signing day approaches. Kentucky and Michigan State now find themselves fighting tooth and nail for a transfer from Florida and a five-star offensive tackle from Louisville.

Recruiting never stops.

Elite recruitment winds down

Kentucky has been recruiting Kiyaunta Goodwin for a very long time. The Wildcats offered the offensive tackle as an eighth-grader and have been working hard ever since to build that relationship.

Marrow delivered when Goodwin committed to the Wildcats in April, but this recruitment has yet to slow down. During the season, Goodwin made his way to Lexington for six games but also squeezed in some visits elsewhere.

Goodwin took official visits to Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, and Texas A&M. However, the blue-chipper took an unofficial visit to Michigan State during the season and returned for an official visit this past weekend.

Kentucky was unable to get Goodwin on campus for an official visit. The Wildcats have remained in constant contact with Goodwin and have visited with him multiple times since the season ended.

Big Dogs pic.twitter.com/N6iSouz0mN

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 1, 2021

Texas A&M is still in the hunt, but as of right now this appears to be a battle between Kentucky and Michigan State as offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic has done a great job recruiting Goodwin for the Spartans.

The Wildcats upped the ante to keep Marrow in Lexington to win recruitments like this one. Seeing the battle develop between Michigan State is just not something many projected to occur.

First true transfer portal battle

The Spartans are fresh off a 10-2 season that was driven heavily by transfer production. Kenneth Walker III came from Wake Forest and had an All-American season as he led the Power Five in rushing yards (1,636). Western Michigan transfer Jayden Reed led the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (946), and receiving touchdowns (8). Meanwhile, three SEC transfers started on defense.

The Wildcats are fresh off a 9-3 season with some heavy transfer production. Former Nebraska wideout Wan’Dale Robinson set the program record for receptions (94) in a single season. LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal was one of the best left tackles in the SEC. Ole Miss transfer Jacquez Jones led the team in tackles (85).

Kentucky and Michigan State are two of the top programs in the country when it comes to transfer portal recruiting. Both are locked in on a big-time SEC transfer.

Florida EDGE Khris Bogle entered the transfer portal following the end of the regular season after three seasons in Gainesville. The former top-100 recruit out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons played in 34 games for the Gators with seven starts.

However, Bogle has been unable to crack the starting rotation consistently for Florida and is looking for a new home after the staff change. Both Michigan State and Kentucky have shown heavy interest early.

The Spartans continue to add SEC talent after getting a commitment from Mississippi State linebacker Aaron Brule. Tucker is looking to add another piece, but Kentucky is currently in the way.

As signing day arrives, the Wildcats and Spartans are battling it out as Bogle has visited both East Lansing and Lexington. Expect these two programs to battle often on the recruiting trail.