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LIVE BLOG: Kentucky Football Signing Day for the Class of 2025

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Welcome to the start of the earliest signing period in the history of college football. It’s Signing Day for the Kentucky Football Class of 2025 at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

The first Early Signing Period was created in 2017, an addition to the traditional National Signing Day in February that took place on the third Wednesday of December. Following the mad dash for the transfer portal, the NCAA decided to move it up a few more weeks to give coaching staffs time to exclusively focus on high school players before turning their attention to free agents.

This also marks the first signing day without National Letters of Intent (NLI), however, it doesn’t change much for you and I. We’ll still be locked in, sharing updates as the faxes roll into the football offices near Kroger Field.

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The Kentucky 2025 recruiting class has 19 commits to start the day. That number is expected to grow, but there also may be some attrition in the eleventh hour of what could be a chaotic Signing Day. Adam Luckett has scouting reports ready for each player to complement my bios. Here’s what’s on the schedule for today:

3:00 — Mark Stoops Press Conference
5:00 — 11 Personnel Signing Day Special
6:00 — The Mark Stoops Radio Show


Whoops, We Missed Dyllon Williams

12/04/2024 11:31:10 AM

It’s been a hectic morning. In-between all of the announcements, one got lost in the shuffle. Apologies to Dyllon Williams for the oversight. Like the way he uses his pads. That means we’re only waiting for one, DJ Miller. Tick tock.

Highlights

Bio: The recruitment of Dyllon Williams felt like deja vu all over again. A year ago, Frank Buffano worked diligently behind the scenes to flip a physical defensive back from Missouri. The Cats got Cam Dooley, a player from rural Alabama with similar athletic traits. Williams is a lengthy safety who does not shy away from contact. In addition to Mizzou, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Cincinnati sought out Williams’ services.

Scouting Report: Long, rangy safety prospect who plays a physical brand of football. Brings positional size and legnth to the field. Good eyes and triggers downhill quickly. Long strider can get get from hash-to-hash. Sinks hips upon contact and plays with good leverage. Owns clear physical traits that are hard to find with the flexibility that could make the Kentucky commit an excellent tackler and pursuit defender. Nice blend of size, speed, and physicality creates some position versatility.

Spike Sowells signs with NC State

12/04/2024 10:55:37 AM

Kentucky was seen as the runner-up when the Louisville (Ky.) Male center committed to NC State in July. The top-500 prospect never wavered. Dave Doeren’s program recorded and finished a rare recruiting win in the Bluegrass State.

Kentucky gets signature from Bryan Auguste

12/04/2024 10:33:53 AM

Highlights

Bio: The big athlete from South Florida took official visits to Syracuse and Boston College before Eric Wolford sealed the deal. Louisville tried to sneak in and offered the offensive lineman after he committed to Kenticky. He started at left tackle as a junior for a team that went 11-3 and logged double-duty on the defensive side. Auguste also throws shot put and discuss in track and field events.

Scouting Report: South Florida native is a true tackle prospect with tremendous movement skills. Good puller on gap schemes and shows power on punches. Versatility is shown in run game and athletic traits provide foundation to grow into a good pass protector. What are the measurables? Could be a hidden gem at tackle if the right size and length boxes are checked.

Quintin Simmons signs with Kentucky

12/04/2024 10:25:35 AM

Highlights

Bio: The speedster from Cincinnati played alongside Terhyon Nichols before the cornerback made plays as a true freshman at Kentucky. The track star runs the 100-meters in around 11 seconds, recorded at 11.15 in 2023. Vince Marrow made Simmons one of the first commitments of the 2025 recruiting class and he’s remained rock solid throughout, despite early interest from Michigan and Penn State, among others.

Scouting Report: True speed weapon who generates explosive plays with the ball in his hands. Scored touchdowns as a tailback, wide receiver, and returner at Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow. Shows real breakaway speed on tape. Long strider that can stretch the field vertically on gos, posts, and deep overs. Gets to top gear quickly and projects as a return specialist at the next level due to his ability to accelerate and run away from defenders.

Still Waiting for Four Players

12/04/2024 10:12:45 AM

The 2025 recruiting class is nearly complete. There are 17 in the fold with four to go: Dyllon Williams, Bryan Auguste, DJ Miller, and Quintin Simmons. We’re not sweating too much, but it the perspiration may develop around noon.

Christian Ingram picks South Carolina

12/04/2024 10:22:32 AM

Kentucky was in great shape for Covington (Ga.) Newton defensive lineman Christian Ingram after an official visit in October but lost some momentum in November. This turned into a South Carolina vs. USC battle. The Trojans were seen as the favorites entering the week but that changed on Wednesday.

The Year of the Gamecock continues.

Grant Grayton is a Cat

12/04/2024 09:57:30 AM

Highlights

Bio: The lengthy defensive back was lightly recruited, considered a safety by most recruiting services. He defended enough receivers on an island to show Kentucky that he can clog up zones in the Wildcats’ pass defense. He committed to Minnesota in July, but the Cats kept a watchful eye before getting him on campus for an official visit during the final weekend of the regular season that turned the tide in his recruitment.

Scouting Report: DMV product played cornerback at Olney (Md.) Good Counsel. True zone corner with size and length. Walls of defenders at the top of the route and shows good tackling ability on tape. Long strider but there might be some speed concerns. Listed as a safety prospect, but fits what Kentucky has done in the past at cornerback. Will add size to the position room.


QB Stone Saunders makes it Official

12/04/2024 09:31:25 AM

Highlights

Bio: The Pennsylvania quarterback was initially targeted by Liam Coen, who was coached by Stone’s father in the pre-NFL Draft process. Saunders is one of the most prolific passers from the state of Pennsylvania. He has 13,431 career passing yards and 202 touchdowns. He holds the state passing touchdown record and is 131 yards away from breaking the state’s passing yards record. The first PA quarterback to throw for 3,000+ yards in four seasons will get a chance to break that record Friday night. Bishop McDevitt is back in the state finals for the third time in four years, gunning for their second state title.

Scouting Report: Record-setting prep quarterback posted monster numbers throughout his prep career. There has been a unique wind-up throwing motion throughout his career but the ball comes out with good accuracy. Plays with good timing on dropbacks. Generates easy throwing power on-platform and delivers the football with good ball placement both on intermediate and vertical throws. Shows a good feel for the quarterback position on tape with touch and accuracy standing out as strengths. Can drive the football. Highly productive prospect with a significant volume of high-level game reps banked.

Instate Star Montavin Quisenberry is a Cat

12/04/2024 09:13:34 AM

Highlights

Bio: The leading candidate to take home Mr. Kentucky Football is quite familiar with the Kroger Field turf. He won three state titles before Boyle County was upset by Cov Cath in a rainy regional championship. Quisenberry originally committed to play for Neal Brown at West Virginia before Kentucky made a strong move to get the flip. Justin Haddix calls him the best player he’s ever coached and the stats back it up. During his career the Mr. Everything for the nationally-ranked Rebels completed 102-160 passes for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns. He caught 151 passes for 2,509 yards and 38 touchdowns, and he rushed for 4,459 yards and 61 touchdowns. Quisenberry had 13 career special teams touchdowns, and made 165 tackles and 8 interceptions on defense.

Scouting Report: Undersized wide receiver is a generator with the ball in his hands. Owns short-area burst and make you miss wiggle. Generated 3,340 yards from scrimmage and 56 total touchdowns as a junior and senior at Danville (Ky.) Boyle County. A versatile playmaker that will need to find a permanent positional home at the next level. Projects as a slot receiver who can provide a gadget skill set used in the run, screen, and return game. There are some size concerns.

Mikkel Skinner is the Highest-Ranked Player in the Class

12/04/2024 09:00:34 AM

Highlights

Bio: When Vince Marrow’s first tight end target caught the eye of Ohio State, he redirected to a Cincinnati commit. Around that same time, South Carolina went all in on the Palmetto State native. Even after officially visiting for UK’s loss to the Cocks and Carolina’s win over LSU, Kentucky was able to secure a commitment from Skinner. Unlike most of Marrow’s tight end recruits, this one has a ton of explosiveness on tape, taking snaps as a receiver, running back, and Wildcat QB. That versatility translates to other sports. He also runs track and helped Riverside reach the AAAA State Title game with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks in last year’s state semifinal.

Scouting Report: True flex tight end with excellent ball skills. Off-ball receiving weapon who shows some tenacity as a blocker in space while flashing good ball skills on slants and face. Run-after-catch creator with surprising open-field burst. Usage in college must be a blend of receiver and pass-catching tight end. Potential mismatch creator if used effectively.

Another OT, Jermiel Atkins

12/04/2024 08:56:05 AM

Highlights

Bio: You can see his measureables, but it’s difficult to discern the enormity of this offensive tackle unit you’re standing next to him. Atkins passed the look test during multiple trips to campus over the summer. Kentucky’s Eric Wolford went all-in on the Dayton native, a hooper who didn’t start playing football until a few years ago. He chose the Cats over Minnesota and Virginia Tech.

Scouting Report: Massive tackle prospect with a basketball background. Flashes some positional athleticism on tape in the run and pass game. Striking needs refinement and mass plus strength must be added. Developmental prospect that needs time to increase fundamentals and add good weight in Kentucky’s strength and conditioning prospect. Size and movement skills give the true tackle prospect a potentially high ceiling but should not be expected to contribute for a couple years.

Dawayne Galloway Signs with West Virginia

12/04/2024 08:50:32 AM

Four-star Columbus, Oh. cornerback Dawayen Galloway was one of Vince Marrow’s top targets over the summer. He had a bit of a manic recruitment. In the week leading up to his commitment, he went back and forth between Kentucky and Purdue multiple times before ultimately choosing to Boiler Up. As the Ryan Walers era dissolved into oblivion, he went back on the market. Kentucky didn’t go all in. I admittedly wasn’t sure who would. Turns out it was West Virginia, even though they currently don’t have a head coach.

Darrin Strey, Kentucky’s Top OL Recruit, Signs with UK

12/04/2024 08:43:46 AM

Highlights

Bio: The first significant recruiting win of Eric Wolford’s second stint in Lexington is a large athlete with a long frame who comes from an athletic family. His father, the head coach at Paw Paw, played at Ferris State. His older brother, Dennis, played at Eastern Michigan. In addition to offensive line, he plays defensive line, hoops on the hardwood, power-lifts, and is a track and field thrower. Before committing to Kentucky, Stray officially visited Wisconsin, Illinois, Cincinnati, and Stanford. Pulling Stray away from the Big Ten is a big win for Kentucky.

Scouting Report: Multi-sport athlete. Flashes good movement skills as a puller, plays with knee bend, and flexibility. Should have a strong foundation to build off in pass protection development. A true tackle prospect with translatable traits. The combination of size and flexibility makes the four-star recruit a tantalizing prospect. Has bonafide tools that created a high floor. Has a chance to play early.

Kentucky Adds Ideal Fit at NG with Kalen Edwards

12/04/2024 08:33:54 AM

Highlights

Bio: Hailing from West Tennessee, Edwards originally committed to play for Auburn. When a coaching change happened at his position, he re-evaluated his options. Auburn tried to reel him back in, along with Louisville, but Kentucky was ultimately able to seal the deal for this 2-gapper. It may take some time, but he is exactly what the Wildcats are looking for at nose in the 3-4 defense.

Scouting Report: True nose tackle prospect with length and mass. Flashes a good blend on power and movement ability while playing on both sides of the line. Owns tremendous get off out of stance and typically maintains good pad leverage. Size, strength, and knockback power. Could need a year of development but likely plays a big role in year two. True fit for Kentucky’s scheme.

Welcome Demarcus Gardner to BBN

12/04/2024 08:22:43 AM

Highlights

Bio: The Georgia athlete initially committed to UCF, but the Cats pulled off the flip shortly after he officially visited Kentucky’s campus over the summer. Ole Miss made a move this fall to try to pry Gardner away from UK. A two-way athlete in Class 4A Georgia high school football, Gardner reeled in 33 receptions for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 and recorded eight total interceptions during his sophomore and junior seasons.

Scouting Report: Two-way producer at Cedartown (Ga.) with receiving touchdowns and interceptions. Looks like a Kentucky cornerback on tape. Long-standing reach, more than adequate play speed, and plays off coverage with eyes on the quarterback well. Long strider who can get rolling once the motor is revved up. Makes competitive plays at the catchpoint. Owns the traits to play boundary cornerback in Kentucky’s scheme. Can clog zones, plays with good eyes, and has strong potential as a tackler.

Check-In: Nine of 20 on the Board

12/04/2024 08:08:04 AM

After a couple of hours, we’ve got faxes from about half of the class, including a couple of big fish, Martels Carter, Cedric Works, and Andrew Purcell. The big name to monitor moving forward is DJ Miller, the talented X-receiver from the St. Louis Metro. Kentucky is confident they’ll get a signature, but Daikiel Shorts’ imminent departure for Nebraska has me on pins and needles waiting in anticipation.

Andrew Purcell: Signed, Sealed Delivered

12/04/2024 08:01:05 AM

Highlights

Bio: If he were two inches taller, he’d probably be at Alabama or Auburn. Purcell is a ballhawk with ball skills. He led Alabama’s Class 7A with 7 interceptions in 2023, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Chris Collins was the primary recruiter for the athlete who also pays wide receiver. Before committing to Kentucky, Purcell officially visited Tennessee, Miami, and Georgia.

Scouting Report: Undersized cornerback who is excellent in off-coverage flashing good eyes and outstanding ball skills. Creates takeaways. Hip flexibility allows the Enterprise (Ala.) High product to recover in coverage. Play traits should make him a good fit for a zone-heavy scheme. Shows a willingness as a tackler. Is likely a top-100 recruit if he is two inches taller. Talented, competitive football player.

Another Big One: Martels Carter

12/04/2024 07:57:21 AM

Highlights

Bio: The four-star athlete moved from Tennessee to Kentucky ahead of his junior year and the Wildcats immediately made Carter a top priority. Vince Marrow and Mark Stoops traveled to Western Kentucky to visit Carter as soon as the live recruiting period began. They gained early momentum, then hung on as other schools tried to pry him away from the Cats. Vanderbilt and Nebraska put in plenty of leg work, but the biggest threat was probably from Auburn. Carter was Charles Kelly’s top DB target at Colorado and maintained that belief when he moved to The Plains. A jack of all trades for Paducah Tilghman, he’ll suit up in the 4A State Championship Game against Frankin County Friday night at 8 pm EST.

Scouting Report: Rangy cover safety with good instincts and a playmaking skill set. The prospect shows burst, long speed, and change of direction on tape. Track athlete with sub-11 clocked in the 100m. Good ball skills shown as a receiver.

Carter owns a translatable skill set that could get him on field in year one. A true post safety prospect that can get from hashmark-to-hashmark in coverage and pursuit. Ball skills should come up valuable as a coverage player. Clear fit as a deep safety in Kentucky’s zone-heavy scheme.

Jayden Clark Added

12/04/2024 07:34:36 AM

Highlights

Bio: Clark had an atypical recruitment because of an untimely injury. A knee injury during his junior campaign limited his ahead of his senior season. The Cats were finally able to see enough from Clark once his 2024 season started and made a move to get Clark in Kentucky blue. Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Purdue, and Pitt were his other suitors.

Scouting Report: Interior offensive line prospect played tackle at Clayton (Ohio) Northmont. Missed junior season with a knee injury. Good athlete for the position moving well in space and as a puller. Finishes blocks through the whistle. Plays with an edge on tape. Shows off powerful hands in pass sets stoning rushers while keeping a good base. Has center potential. Plays with a clear nasty streak that the Kentucky program needs in the trenches. Must continue to add strength but has road grader potential along with the athleticism to be effective in pass protection. Reps were improved on senior tape.

Cedric Works is Rock Solid

12/04/2024 07:27:33 AM

Highlights

Bio: An impressive athlete who is built to create havoc behind the line of scrimmage, Works caught the eyes of big-time programs when he tallied 82 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 TFLs as a junior at Northmont High School in Dayton. Penn State and Florida aggressively pursued Works. Vince Marrow nipped that in the bud and got a commitment. Shortly thereafter, Works moved to Lexington to complete his prep career at Frederick Douglass.

Scouting Report: Twitchy edge rusher with an impressive athletic profile. Mass is needed and pass rush technique needs a fair amount of development, but this is a legitimate athlete at EDGE. Basketball player. Can run the pass rush hoop. A true developmental prospect at this stage in this development but the owns a unique toolbox with traits that are hard to find.

Instate DL Javeon Campbell is a Cat

12/04/2024 07:14:48 AM

Highlights

Bio: Javeon Campbell isn’t your typical Top 300 talent. The leading scorer in Western Hills basketball history did not play football until his junior season. The enormous DL tallied 14.5 sacks in less than eight games and quickly garnered attention from the biggest brands in college football. Notre Dame was one of the first schools to go all-in on Campbell. He took trips to Ohio State, Miami, Auburn, and Alabama before announcing to play for his home state school.

Scouting Report: Basketball player with an explosive skill set on a great frame. Refinement is needed but shows explosion out of stance with twitch. Wins at the point of attack because of raw athleticism. Pad level needs improvement. Shows good foot speed on tape. Owns the size and frame to play multiple positions along Kentucky’s defensive front. Must add mass and play strength to hold up as a run defender in the SEC but potential for upward growth is what separates the defensive lineman as a prospect. Height, length, burst, and a frame to grow into. Development is needed but the ceiling is high NFL Draft pick.

QB Brennen Ward joins BBN

12/04/2024 07:04:53 AM

Highlights

Bio: Liam Coen helped Kentucky land Stone Saunders. Vince Marrow helped Bush Hamdan land Brennen Ward. Needing depth at the position, the Cats got a tough guy who played through a dislocated kneecap to complete his 2023 season. That year he completed 155 of 229 passes (67.7%) for 2,482 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, and led his program to a 12-1 record. Missouri was Kentucky’s top competition for the QB who excels in an RPO-style offense.

Scouting Report: Showed the ability to hit all three levels from the pocket and has put some off-script creation on tape playing for a run-heavy offense at Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln. Did not post great numbers (3,682 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, 13 interceptions as junior/senior) but put multiple translatable throws on film. Can make three-level throws but development is needed.

Three-star wide receiver Preston Bowman signs with Kentucky

12/04/2024 06:53:52 AM

Highlights

Bio: Preston Bowman didn’t have a high-profile recruit, although he did receive offers from some of the biggest players in the sport. Louisville and Michigan were actively pursuing the physical wide receiver when he Vince Marrow convinced him to commit to Kentucky. On the very next day, Ohio State extended an offer. Fortunately, it wasn’t enough to make him reconsider his commitment. In 2023 Bowman had 39 catches for 815 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Scouting Report: Has excellent ball skills and the ability to win in 50/50 scenarios. Strong hands, big catch radius, and supreme ball skills. Catches everything. Has some positional versatility and put some impressive YAC runs on tape. The lack of speed on a 6-foot frame is concerning but this is a receiver that can win both inside and outside thanks to a high success rate in 50/50 situations. A true ball-winner that could provide matchup problems in the slot.

Cameron Miller flips from Wisconsin to Kentucky

12/04/2024 06:54:20 AM

Highlights

Bio: A talented two-way player, some schools pursued him as a cornerback before he put up gaudy numbers as a slot receiver, catching 57 passes for 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns. Kentucky was one of the schools that quickly sought out his services to play offense. Despite a couple of early unofficial visits, Miller was drawn to Phil Longo’s Air Raid offense at Wisconsin. Kentucky kept contact, then made a move once Longo was fired by the Badgers, opening the door for the Signing Day addition

Scouting Report: Slot receiver for Atco (N.J.) Winslow Township who recorded 97 receptions for 1,997 yards and 27 touchdowns over his last two seasons of high school football. Owns turbo speed with a terrific combination of acceleration and change-of-direction. Undersized receiver with tantalizing big-play potential.

There are valid size concerns but Miller is dangerous with the ball in his hands, creates easy separation as a route-runner, and can fly in open space with the ability to change speeds. Owns a clear skill set that can have a highly productive role in a college offense.

Nicholas Smith Gets Things Rolling

12/04/2024 06:37:01 AM

Highlights

Bio: Brad White saw something in Nicholas Smith that very few others did. Sun Belt schools were the biggest players in his recruitment when he committed on an official visit to Kentucky. We have a good connection,” he said after his commitment. Georgia Tech and Mississippi State kicked the tires. Then Alabama came knocking on his door in the fall with a scholarship offer, but he never wavered in his commitment to Kentucky. “I’m going to make a promise. If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it. That’s what I’m going to do… I’m excited to be a Wildcat.”

Scouting Report: True developmental prospect. Owns unique bundle of physical traits that include size, length, and a frame that will hold more weight. Could play multiple positions along Kentucky’s three-down front, but needs technique work and time in a strength and conditioning program. Flashes some bend and moves well at his size. High-ceiling prospect.

Tucker Kattus signs with Clemson

12/04/2024 06:25:07 AM

The flip is complete. Tucker Kattus has signed with Dabo Swinney’s program this morning and will not be following his brothers to Kentucky. This was perhaps the most surprising development of this recruiting cycle.

The Marquise Davis Flip is Official

12/04/2024 06:14:43 AM

Kentucky tried to get the Top 10 RB back in the fold, but it was too little too late. The Cats’ highest-ranked commit and the highest-ranked RB commit in the internet era is officially a Missouri Tiger.

The Class of 2025 at the Start of the Day

PlayerHigh SchoolPositionRanking
Javeon CampbellFrankfort (Ky.) Western HillsDL (6-5, 260)4-star (No. 212 overall)
Martels CarterPaducah (Ky.) TilghmanS (6-1, 185)4-star (No. 251 overall)
Cedric WorksLexington (Ky.) Frederick DouglassEDGE (6-5, 230)4-star (No. 300 overall)
Andrew PurcellEnterprise (Ala.) HighCB (5-9, 185)4-star (No. 252 overall)
Kalen EdwardsDyersburg (Tenn.) HighiDL (6-4, 325)4-star (No. 380 overall)
Mikkel SkinnerGreer (S.C.) RiversideTE (6-3, 220)High 3-star (No. 411 overall)
Dejerrian MillerEast St. Louis (Ill.) Cardinal Ritter PrepWR (6-3, 190)High 3-star (No. 445 overall)
Darrin StreyPaw Paw (Mich.) HighT (6-6, 295)4-star (No. 393 overall)
Quintin SimmonsCincinnati (Ohio) WithrowWR (6-0, 170)High 3-star (No. 553 overall)
Demarcus GardnerCedartown (Ga.) HighCB (6-0, 165)High 3-star (No. 598 overall)
Preston BowmanPickerington (Ohio) NorthWR (6-0, 196)3-star (No. 628 overall)
Dyllon WilliamsDemopolis (Ala.) HighS (6-2, 180)3-star (No. 715 overall)
Stone SaundersHarrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevittQB (6-0, 205)3-star (No. 723 overall)
Montavin QuisenberryDanville (Ky.) Boyle CountyWR (5-9, 175)3-star (No. 726 overall)
Brennen WardGahanna (Ohio) LincolnQB (6-2, 205)3-star (No. 902 overall)
Jermiel AtkinsTrotwood (Ohio) MadisonT (6-8, 270)3-star (No. 953 overall)
Jayden ClarkClayton (Ohio) NorthmontOL (6-5, 250)3-star (No. 1,080 overall)
Nicholas SmithLoganville (Ga.) Walnut GroveDL (6-5, 275)3-star (No. 1,142 overall)
Bryan AugusteCoconut Creek (Fla.) MonarchT (6-6, 285)3-star (No. 1,212 overall)

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2024-12-04