Kentucky vs. Michigan recruiting battle brewing for blue-chip RB Marquise Davis

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Marquise Davis by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row -- — (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

On Wednesday, Michigan cornerback DJ Waller Jr. entered the transfer portal. Kentucky is considered a major contender and a potential favorite to land the transfer. That adds another potential chapter to the recent Kentucky vs. Michigan recruiting battles.

Another one is brewing in the class of 2025.

Cleveland (Ohio) Heights tailback Marquise Davis is a top-200 overall prospect in the class of 2025 and a top-10 player in Ohio. After rushing for over 2,000 yards as a junior, Kentucky has turned up the heat with Vince Marrow leading the charge. Davis has taken multiple unofficial visits to Lexington, and the tailback got a visit from Kentucky’s coaching staff on Thursday.

Great visit with @CoachJ_Boulware @vincemarrow @UKFootball today at Cleveland Heights. #Kentucky #BBN @rlyquise @Melking97824951 #HeightsBlueprint ⚫️🏈🟡 pic.twitter.com/6z4gdWKRhp
— Mac Stephens (@MacStephens) April 25, 2024

Marrow and Kentucky running backs coach Jay Boulware made the drive up I-71 to see Davis in person on Thursday. The timing was noticeable. A new contact period started on April 15 allowing coaches to visit 2025 prospects at their high schools, but steam has been building for Michigan in this recruiting battle.

Marquise Davis just wrapped up a third unofficial visit to Ann Arbor this spring, and some RPMs are rolling in for Sherrone Moore‘s program. In March, Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford left for the same position at Michigan and brought his relationship with Marquise Davis with him. That has given the Wolverines some spring momentum in this recruitment.

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The four-star tailback has official visits locked in with Michigan (June 7-9) and Kentucky (June 14-16). The Wildcats need to make sure that Davis does not leave Ann Arbor that weekend with a recruitment that is shut down.

There is a long way to go in this recruitment, but another Kentucky vs. Michigan battle has arrived. Former Kentucky assistant Steve Clinkscale is no longer in Ann Arbor after following Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Wildcats logged their fair share of wins last cycle signing Brian Robinson, Jacob Smith, and Jerod Smith. Another big head-to-head battle has arrived in 2025.