Meet The 2018 Class: The Chaminade-Madonna Trio

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="900"] Akeem Hayes scores in the state final via Michael Laughlin, Florida Sun Sentinel.[/caption] Mark Stoops laid the foundation for his Kentucky program by building a pipeline into the state of Ohio. The addition of Eddie Gran has opened new doors into the state of Florida.  This year has been Gran's most successful year, starting at Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida. Kentucky's first two commitments in the 2018 class came from the perennial powerhouse, Davoan Hawkins and Marvin Alexander.  Not long after they were joined by Akeem Hayes. This weekend Chaminade-Madonna avenged a state runner-up 2016 finish to win their first state title since 2005.  Hayes scored a 44-yard touchdown to help build a two-touchdown lead, a lead they would lose in the fourth quarter.  With only minutes remaining, Hayes converted on a crucial third down to set up a game-winning field goal that went through the uprights with just four seconds remaining for a 31-28 victory. Hawkins could not contain his emotions following the win.

You gotta love Davoan Hawkins @D1_Youngin. pic.twitter.com/4eBgGPzKwF

– David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 9, 2017

Hawkins, a 6'4" 270 pound three-star defensive end, is explosive with his hand in the dirt.  A guy who makes most of his plays in the backfield, in his final high school season he had 50 tackles, 22 for loss and 7 sacks.  Miami tried to pull him away from UK, but he remained firmly committed to the Cats. Hawkins and Marvin Alexander committed to Kentucky on the same day, just a few weeks after 2016's NSD on February 21.  Alexander, a three-star receiver who also had offers from Wisconsin, UCF, ECU and Syracuse, caught 37 passes for 585 yards and 8 touchdowns this year. The third Chaminade-Madonna player to commit Kentucky, Akeem Hayes initially committed to Louisville back in April.  Over the summer he spent one weekend camping at UofL and Kentucky.  The trip to Lexington must have been much better, because shortly after he flipped his commitment to the Cats.  This year he averaged 11 yards per carry, 16 yards per catch and had 5 total touchdowns out of the slot. Hayes, Hawkins and Alexander aren't the first from Chaminade-Madonna to play at Kentucky.  A pair of UK freshmen, defensive end Christopher Whittaker and wide receiver Joshua Ali started the movement last year. If all goes well, those five will not be the last to make the move from Chaminade-Madonna to Lexington.  Keontra Smith committed to Kentucky in June and is considered the No. 11 safety in the 2019 class and a Top 150 player overall.  The elite defensive back had 108 tackles, 37 for loss and 2 interceptions.  After watching Smith's highlights, you'll understand how difficult it will be to fight off Miami, Oregon, Nebraska and Oklahoma for his services. Mark Stoops has created success by getting some of the best from Ohio.  Now he's turned to the Sunshine State, arguably the most talented state for prep football in America.  For the first time in his tenure, the recruiting class will not primarily come from Ohio.  The 2018 class has six commitments from Ohio and seven from Florida. Stoops would not be able to expand his recruiting canvass this extensively into Florida without Eddie Gran and the elite talent from Chaminade-Madonna High School. [mobile_ad]