Kentucky Prepares for One of Final Two Official Visit Weekends

The Early Signing Period looms large over college football. Before high school prospects put pen to paper, the Kentucky football coaching staff has two weekends to host official visitors.

In previous years, the final weekend before signing day served as the day to seal the deal, reserving spots for dozens of official visitors. The Early Signing Period has changed that. Now prospects use official visits frequently throughout the fall football season, and even more so over the summer, a new phenomenon.

The changes in the recruiting calendar have dwindled the late official visits to campuses. Although there are fewer in quantity, there are still some high quality high school football recruits visiting Lexington this weekend.

TE Khamari Anderson

• 6-foot-4, 230 pounds
• Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)
• On3 Consensus: 3-star, No. 26 TE
• Also Considering: Cincinnati, Wisconsin

Cincinnati’s loss could be the Wildcats’ gain. The Under Armour All-American from the home of DeAndre Square and Deone Walker decommitted from the Bearcats following Luke Fickell’s departure. The new Wisconsin head coach has since offered Anderson a scholarship. Kentucky’s connections to his school and the early production by the Cats’ young tight ends could put them in the driver’s seat following a solid weekend in Lexington.

LB Asa Newsom

• 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
• Waverly, IA (Shell Rock)
• On300: 4-star, No. 206, No. 20 LB
• Also Considering: Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota

Kentucky and Iowa aren’t just battling on the gridiron in December. They’re dueling for a talented linebacker from Iowa. Kentucky already has secured one top 300 prospect in Grant Godfrey. They’re trying to add another from the Midwest to strengthen the core of the defense. Something to watch: his brother, Mosai Newsom, is a Nebraska defensive lineman that just entered the transfer portal. A package deal could be in play.

Newsom’s On3 Scouting Report: “Lengthy linebacker prospect who plays with instincts and field vision that closes to the ball with ferocity. Ran freakish track times during his junior track and field season with a 49.84 400m and a 56.20 in the 400m hurdles. Tremendous build with plenty of room to fill out. Reads and reacts hastily and is quick to trigger downhill. Lacks pop and power when stacking and shedding in the box but is physically capable. High NFL upside due to overall athletic ability and size. Dominant basketball player as well.”

CB CJ Blocker

• 5-foot-10.5, 160 pounds
• Waverly, IA (Shell Rock)
• On3 Consensus: 4-star, No. 343, No. 37 CB
• Also Considering: Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, TCU

Blocker hails from an atypical Kentucky football recruiting territory, Texas. The speedy cornerback attends the same high school as Wildcat Zion Childress, New Caney, located just outside of Houston. The son of a former Oklahoma Sooner, this week Brent Venables issued Blocker a scholarship offer. Sources tell On3’s Sam Spiegelman that TCU has applied pressure throughout the season, making them a force to be reckoned with, all while Coach Prime has entered the mix. Securing an official visit from a Texas kid in the middle of a contentious recruitment is an eye-opening development for Kentucky’s recruiting staff.

Blocker’s On3 Scouting Report: “Ballhawking corner prospect that wins his stellar track speed and ball skills. Measures in at 5-foot-11, 165-plus pounds with nearly a 6-foot-3 wingspan. One of the most dominant sprinters in the 2023 recruiting cycle running a 10.62 100m and a 49.32 400m during his junior track and field season. Has the length to handle bigger X-type receivers and the hip fluidity and looseness in his movement skills to cover shiftier slot receivers. Tremendous feel for the position, has an innate understanding of what receivers are trying to do in order to get open. Frame is on the slighter side so will have a tough time working in the box and being a force in the run game. Extremely high upside player who should play early either on the outside or in the slot due to his athleticism and length. Capable of blossoming into a top 150 NFL draft selection.”

EDGE Rico Walker

• 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
  Waverly, IA (Shell Rock)
  On3 Consensus: 4-star, No. 300, No. 33 EDGE
  Also Considering: Maryland, Tennessee, Clemson

This former North Carolina commitment checks a lot of boxes for Brad White. A versatile player, Walker can line up inside or use his lengthy wingspan to create space in the trenches. He’s previously taken official visits to Maryland and UNC.

Walker’s On3 Scouting Report: “Large tweener prospect who lines up off the edge and at off-ball backer on defense and sprinkles in some play at wide receiver as well. Stands in at over 6-foot-3, 235 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. Has the length and movement skills to excel along the defensive line. Comfortable space player who can make plays from the hash to the sideline. Heavier set right now on an athletic frame. Could reshape and sculpt the body to become more agile and increase change of direction. Explosive athlete who jumped a 27.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-6 broad jump during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Striker at the point of contact. Possesses real stopping power. Productive player who lives in the backfield. Totaled 56 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 7 sacks during his junior season. Ideal fit would be as an edge rusher at the next level. Should mold body into an NFL-looking prospect and athlete through collegiate strength and conditioning program.”

S Rahmir Stewart

• 5-foot-10.5, 190 pounds
• Philadelphia, PA (Imhotep Institute)
• On3 Consensus: 3-star, No. 52 S
• Also Considering: Texas A&M , Penn State

Stewart had this weekend circled to visit Kentucky for quite some time, although KSR is still attempting to confirm that he will in fact be in Lexington this weekend. Stewart attends the same high school as UK basketball commit, Justin Edwards.

Stewart’s On3 Scouting Report: “Stockier build for the safety position. Lacks ideal length but has a compact frame that can be toned up. Instinctive and heady player who plays at 100 miles per hour. Rarely hesitates when coming downhill and punishes ball carriers. Quality center fielder who does a tremendous job feeling the quarterback’s eyes to break on the ball. Excellent hip fluidity to stay in phase when playing man coverage. Question overall top end speed and twitch. Don’t see a ton of juice in his movements. Project him to play more of a box role as a situational cover in the slot at the next level.”