KSR Today: The dust settles after eventful National Signing Day

Good morning, folks! How are we feeling right now? Knowing that Kentucky Football has the 12th best-recruiting class in the country, we should all feel like a million bucks. Ready for my new favorite stat? UK was able to sign more four-star recruits (11) during Wednesday’s National Signing Day than three-stars (7).

To put a spin on a classic Freddie Maggard-ism… Football school.

Later today, we’ll finally get to hear from head coach Mark Stoops and associate head coach Vince Marrow. The two will speak with the media at 1 p.m. to break down the historic class. As always, we’ll have everything they say on the site as soon as possible. Hopefully by then, Kiyaunta Goodwin will have signed his National Letter of Intent…

No, the five-star offensive tackle who spent all of Wednesday teasing his final decision has not technically signed his NLI. But we wouldn’t advise reading too much into it. Multiple reports have already indicated that Goodwin intends to wait until Thursday before officially signing. Considering his plans to early enroll and that he was already talking about how much he’s looking forward to playing Louisville, this case is closed.

But wouldn’t it be fun if we got a whole ‘nother day of Kiyaunta Goodwin madness? As stressful as big boy recruiting can be, it sure does keep Kentucky’s name in the public eye.

(I’m only half kidding)

Let’s quickly run down the entire 2022 recruiting class for Kentucky Football. By the time it’s all said and done, this will likely be the most talent-rich group of players UK has ever recruited during the internet era.

• Kiyaunta Goodwin: 5-star OT, No. 19 overall
• Barion Brown: 4-star WR, No. 79
• Tyreese Fearbry: 4-star EDGE, No. 159
• Dane Key: 4-star WR, No. 232
• Keaten Wade: 4-star EDGE, No. 231
• Deone Walker: 4-star DL, No. 260
• Alex Afari: 4-star DB. No. 323
• Grant Bingham: 4-star IOL, No. 373
• Jordan Anthony: 4-star WR. No. 389
• Destin Wade: 4-star ATH, No. 391
• Nikolas Hall: 4-star OT, No. 393
• Ja’Kobi Albert: 4-star ATH, No. 413
• Tayvion Robinson: 3-star WR, No. 464 (Virginia Tech transfer)
• Andre Stewart: 3-star CB, No. 519
• Quentel Jones: 3-star DL, No. 661
• Elijah Reed: 3-star CB, No. 778
• Tomiwa Durojaiye: 3-star DL, No. 812
• Tashawn Manning: 3-star IOL, No. 857 (Auburn transfer)
• Josh Kattus: 3-star TE, No. 1115
• Brandon White: 3-star WR, No. 1264
• Jackson Smith: 3-star K, No. 1866
• Zahquan Frazier: 3-star CB, No. 10 in JUCO

National Signing Day links

• KSR’s National Signing Day HQ
• Recapping a crazy National Signing Day for Kentucky, presented by Jeff Ruby’s
• Kiyaunta Goodwin locks up historic class for Kentucky football
• Kentucky Football continues to dominate backyard recruiting scene
• Kentucky cleaned up with blue-chips in Metro Nashville
• Kiyaunta Goodwin Reflects on Recruiting Frenzy, Looks Ahead to Future at Kentucky
• Liam Coen shares thoughts on three new Kentucky offensive playmakers
• KSR Football Podcast: Craziest National Signing Day Ever

Kentucky MBB preps for Vegas

Before Kentucky Men’s Basketball travels to Las Vegas for this Saturday’s matchup against Ohio State, we’ll hear from a few of the players along with head coach John Calipari. That’ll happen around lunchtime, so expect some content coming shortly after.

UK is coming off a notable loss to Notre Dame last weekend in what was the Wildcats’ first true road game of the season. Sahvir Wheeler was played off the floor and Kentucky shot 2-19 from beyond the arc. It was not a fun outing for the Big Blue Nation. Ohio State won’t be any easier though, and neither will the rest of the year as the schedule has officially picked up.

MBB honoring tornado victims

Tuesday night, UK Athletics raised over $3 million for those impacted by the tornadoes and storms in Western Kentucky. The basketball team will also carry a piece of the Bluegrass over their hearts. Check out the “Kentucky United” remembrance patch that will be on the Wildcats’ jerseys for the remainder of the 2021-22 season:

#KentuckyUnited 💙

To pay tribute to those who were affected during the tragic events of the western Kentucky tornadoes, we will wear a remembrance patch on our jerseys for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/g7hFoVk1sg

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 15, 2021

What the hell is going on here?

I want to take a moment to recognize the absurdity of this clip. Not only because it features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draining arguably the toughest shot of his career with the game-clock running low and his team down three. But mainly because I still haven’t been able to process what happened next…

Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/ob0MPrO4Zs

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) December 16, 2021

Like, seriously? First of all, SGA’s shot had no business going in; not from that angle from that far away. But then for Devonte’ Graham to fling up a 65-foot prayer is just straight absurdity. We can go back 50 or 60 years, but I would highly doubt there’s a more insane final two shots to end an NBA game in history.

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That’s all I’ve got for you all right now. Make sure to tune into the radio show in an hour for an update on the guy’s road trip fun.