Kentucky named a finalist for 4-star '25 safety Keon Young

Earlier this week, four-star class of 2025 linebacker Dante McClellan included Kentucky in his group of finalists. On Thursday, another four-star high school junior did the same.

Keon Young, a highly-rated safety out of Lakeland (FL) High, trimmed his list of college options down to a top 10. Kentucky made the cut, as did Auburn, Florida, Michigan State, Missouri, Oregon, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and West Virginia. He is being recruited to UK by safeties coach Frank Buffano.

“Those schools are recruiting me the hardest and show the most love,” Young told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I communicate with coaches from each school at least once a week. Some hit me up two times a week and one or two reach out three to four times. I have relationships with coaches and I can see myself playing at any of these schools.”

Young is considered the No. 220 overall class of 2025 prospect, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Breaking: 4-star safety Keon Young has named his Top 10 schools.

Young gives the latest on the recruitment: https://t.co/o3Xpe3WkN3 pic.twitter.com/ZAXk0ziLGp

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) February 15, 2024

Young tells On3 that he does not have any current visits scheduled to any of his top schools for the spring, but he’s told KSR on multiple occasions that he intends to spend an official visit in Lexington at some point, likely in the summer.

Kentucky only offered him in January, but the Wildcats have quickly gained ground. He told Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ last month that Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida State are the schools he was hearing from most frequently.

Florida is believed to be the frontrunner, considering the home-state Gators have gotten Young on campus several times since the fall. Young even said as much less than two weeks ago, but he continues to weigh all options. Once committed to South Florida for under a month back in August, the 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back does plan to give the Bulls another look. He’ll visit USF in June.

According to Young, a decision is expected “closer to December”.