Liam Coen sees '25 4-star QB Stone Saunders as "great fit" at Kentucky

With Liam Coen back in Lexington as Kentucky football’s offensive coordinator, the Wildcats recruiting efforts with top-tier quarterbacks have taken a noticeable step in the right direction. Having Will Levis on the verge of hearing his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft and bringing in highly-coveted transfer QB Devin Leary from NC State certainly helps the cause, but Coen is what moves the needle.

That’s especially the case with Stone Saunders.

Saunders, a class of 2025 four-star quarterback out of Bishop McDevitt (PA), has been building a sound relationship with Coen over the last few months. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound signal caller received an offer from Coen and Kentucky in late January during his Junior Day visit. Saunders returned to Lexington over the weekend for another visit where he was able to sit down and talk with Coen and other members of the coaching staff to watch spring practice and tour the facilities.

“(Coen is) always great with me. I’ve known him a long time,” Saunders told KSR on Monday. “We were just having fun, watching a lot of film and watching practice. He’s told me that I’d be a great fit for what he wants to do on offense and he loves how I play.”

#BBN What we think? #GBB ? 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/vq76ptAN8h

— Stone Saunders (@Stone_Saunders8) January 29, 2023

Saunders is considered the No. 180 overall sophomore in the country by the On3 Consensus, and the 15th best quarterback prospect of the bunch. The likes of Georgia, Louisville, Nebraska, Michigan, Colorado, and West Virginia, among others, have reached out with scholarships. He specifically listed Kentucky, Clemson, Nebraska, Michigan, and Georgia as the schools he’s in contact with the most as of late. Clemson has yet to offer, but Saunders made a visit to check out the Tigers near the end of March.

Kentucky is keeping tabs on a handful of talented 2025 quarterbacks; Saunders is high on the Big Board. Just as important though, Saunders is equally a fan of what UK and Coen have to offer.

“Coach Liam and Coach Woody [Scott Woodward], the other coaches, the offense they are going to run, the culture they have, the enthusiastic fans. I like all of it,” Saunders added. “They have a great program and I could see myself there easily.“

During his sophomore season, Saunders appeared in 14 games for Bishop McDevitt en route to winning the Max Preps Pennsylvania Player of the Year and a state championship. He threw for over 3,500 yards and totaled 54 touchdowns with just five interceptions on a completion percenatge of 68.7.