Lakota West '23 safety Ben Minich considering official visit to Kentucky

The Kentucky Football coaching staff is very familiar with the Lakota West (OH) program, especially associate head coach Vince Marrow. The Wildcats have brought in upwards of a half-dozen players to Lexington from the Cincinnati-based high school since head coach Mark Stoops took control in 2013. Four-star defensive back Alex Afari is the latest Lakota West product to join Kentucky and is on campus as he prepares for his freshman campaign.

One of Afari’s former teammates, ’23 rising senior Ben Minich, could be the next pipeline addition. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound safety earned an offer from Kentucky and Coach Marrow just a few days ago on Friday, June 17. Minich wasn’t one of the many top-tier recruits in Lexington for an official visit this past weekend, but he did make it to campus for an unofficial a few weeks prior.

After he left, he didn’t have to wait much longer for the offer to come in.

“I’ve been talking to Kentucky for a while, my teammate, Alex Afari, he goes there,” Minich told KSR on Monday. “He just got back on campus so he’s definitely telling the coaches about me and I’ve been talking with (Vince) Marrow for a little bit now. I checked it out, went on an unofficial like a few weeks ago. Then he was like ‘call me’ and he offered me on the phone.”

After a great conversation with @vincemarrow I’m very BLESSED and THANKFUL to have received an offer from the University of Kentucky!! #BBN pic.twitter.com/tfv0VGjdgp

— Ben Minich (@BenMinich) June 17, 2022

Minich pointed to Kentucky’s recent track record of producing NFL-level defensive backs — such as Lonnie Johnson, Yusuf Corker, Mike Edwards, and plenty others — as a reason for his interest in the ‘Cats. Making it to the NFL is his ultimate goal and UK continues to lean on that pitch.

“(Marrow) just tells me look at the numbers, look at the guys they put in the league, they’re in the best conference playing against the best, (they) can develop you,” Minich added.

Minich recently ran the 100-meter dash in 10.47 seconds — a pro-worthy time. It takes more to make it to the NFL than just being fast, though. He said he’s looking for a program with “real” coaches that can push him to the next level. Marrow has checked that box.

“We talk every once in a while,” Minich said of Marrow. “He just asked me how the recruiting process is going and he basically shoots me straight so I feel like he’s a good guy to reach out to and talk to.”

Minich has already taken three of his five allotted official visits this year: Cincinnati (June 3), Duke (June 10), and Wake Forest (June 12). He holds offers from all three schools. The likes of Indiana, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, and Stanford have all extended scholarships, too.

Most recently, he’s been hearing more from Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Penn State. Minich will visit Notre Dame unofficially on Tuesday where he could receive an offer. He hasn’t decided who will get his final two official visits, but UK is in the mix.

“I’ve talked a little bit with Marrow about that and getting back on campus for an official,” Minich said. “So I’m definitely considering it but we’ll see how it plays out.”

Minich would like to make a decision in the near future — as early as the end of June or possibly into early July. If he’s going to take any more official visits, that will likely happen within the next two or three weeks.

However, he did add that this late boost in his recruiting popularity could stretch the timeline out if needed. His stock has risen significantly since the beginning of May following his impressive time in the 100m. On3 does not yet have him ranked, but the likes of 247Sports and Rivals have bumped him to a high three-star.

As of right now, Minich is most enthralled with (in no order) Cincinnati, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Duke, and Stanford. The Fighting Irish are the only school yet to offer, but a solid camp performance in South Bend on Tuesday could easily result in one. If Kentucky ultimately gets him on campus for an official visit, they’ll be right in the thick of things as he winds down his process.