Mark Stoops says a 'big, big' commitment is coming for Kentucky football

Will Kentucky‘s loss to Vanderbilt hurt the program’s recruiting efforts moving forward? Have the ups and downs forced the current pledges to have a wandering eye ahead of the early signing period? Mark Stoops couldn’t be more confident in those answers being hard nos.

When asked if the Wildcats will stay committed during his call-in radio show, Stoops said not only will their top-25 class in 2025 stay together, it’s about to get stronger. A commitment is on the horizon, the Kentucky head coach leaving a meeting on Monday to take the phone call and ensuing pledge — a big one for the program.

“I absolutely do (believe the commits will stay),” Stoops said. “I got a big, big phone call today, as a matter of fact. That’ll come out (soon). I haven’t even asked him when he’s coming out publicly, but he’ll come out publicly when he chooses. I actually jumped out of a meeting to take the call, to take the commitment.”

Kentucky’s 2025 class, ranked No. 23 nationally, currently includes 18 commitments. Four-stars Cedric Works, Javeon Campbell, Martels Carter, Marquise Davis, Quintin Simmons and Kalen Edwards are the headliners as top-400 prospects overall with four in the top 200. Eight more are considered top-1000 recruits nationally, among Stoops’ best groups since arriving in Lexington with a few other irons in the fire.

Who could join them? The Wildcats are trending for four-star, top-250 tight end Mikkel Skinner and could be on the cusp of flipping Danville’s Montavin Quisenberry from West Virginia. The same can be said for Missouri pledge Dyllon Williams. Those are good places to start, but the momentum is building elsewhere, as well.

Stoops believes high school recruiting is in a good spot going into the winter while also gearing up for another strong portal class this cycle. Some highs and lows this season won’t slow that down.

“I fully anticipate that we’ll continue to do well in recruiting,” he said. “As you know, high school recruiting is super important, but the portal is equally important. That is good and we need to continue to have a great portal, as well.”

It starts with this upcoming commitment for Stoops and the Wildcats. Who could it be?