Film Room: Khamari Anderson

Kentucky is on the board again in the class of 2023. The Wildcats have gone into Detroit and recorded another recruiting win.

Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech tight end Khamari Anderson (6-4, 230) committed to Cincinnati on Feb. 3 and held strong in his commitment to the Bearcats only taking one official visit in the summer. However, plans can change. On Nov. 27, Luke Fickell left Cincinnati for Wisconsin and Anderson backed off his pledge one day later. Despite receiving an offer from the Badgers, Anderson decided to wrap up his recruitment on Monday following an official visit to Kentucky.

Vince Marrow has now recorded his eighth recruiting win this cycle following the commitment of Anderson. The top-500 prospect becomes Kentucky’s second tight end in the class and there are a lot of physical traits to believe in with this class of 2023 recruit.

Let’s step into the KSR Film Room to see what Khamari Anderson will be bringing to Lexington.

When digging into this prospect, the first thing that stands out is the size. Khamari Anderson is a player that already has a high-major college football frame at his position. Therefore, you want to see that size translate onto the field.

Anderson needs some fundamental sharpening but this is a player that has power with room to grow.

In the low red zone, Cass Tech goes with a gap scheme run but Anderson makes the key block play side to spring the touchdown. The tight end dominates the edge setter driving the stand-up defensive end five yards off the football and clearing a path for his tailback. There is potential here for Anderson to be a quality in-line blocker once some strength and fundamental polish is added.

Here’s some more power.

Cass Tech did not ask Khamari Anderson to do a whole lot in the passing game. There is a long way for this prospect to go as a pass catcher but this is a good athlete who can move in space and does a good job of catching with his hands.

Anderson flashes solid movement skills in space and does a very good job plucking the football in the air. The tight end prospect isn’t lighting the world on fire as a receiver but there’s more than enough to work with as a play-action target.

Khamari Anderson could be another SEC ready tight end

Last season, we saw both Jordan Dingle (redshirt freshman) and Josh Kattus (true freshman) become Kentucky’s clear top guys at tight end. There is a chance that Khamari Anderson could follow a similar blueprint in Lexington.

The Cass Tech product was high school teammates with Deone Walker. DeAndre Square also came from that same high school. Both were able to contribute in their first year on campus. Cass Tech appears to do a great job at getting their guys ready for college football. Anderson will be looking for a similar role.

The Cincinnati decommit already has good size and has put a ton of good reps on tape as a blocker. Anderson is physical at the point of attack and flashes a nastiness that allows him to finish blocks with gusto. An Under Armour All-American selection, Anderson figures to be a fit at in-line tight end where Kentucky can take advantage of his blocking prowess and work with some of his athletic traits in the passing game.

As Kentucky has transitioned to a pro-style offense, tight end play is becoming very important. That has turned into solid recruiting results. Khamari Anderson is a quality add that should be a clear scheme fit under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen.