Meet the Rookies: Dramatic Recruitment brought Kobi Albert to Kentucky

Sixty percent of Kentucky’s lauded 2022 football recruiting class were blue chip prospects. Of the 12 four-star talents, Kobi Albert might be slept on the most. If not for unprecedented drama in the final hours of Kiyaunta Goodwin‘s recruitment, the addition of Albert would have stolen the show on signing day.

High Stakes Recruiting Drama

Kentucky was confident they could secure a commitment from Kobi Albert. Even though he committed to Auburn shortly after camping with Kentucky, Jon Sumrall’s pursuit did not slow. Albert spent the last weekend of the recruiting cycle on an official visit to Kentucky. When Auburn caught wind of the Wildcats’ late momentum, they did everything they could to keep the four-star in-state athlete from flipping.

“I wasn’t nervous, but as far as drama, there was definitely drama,” he said shaking his head. “It was crazy. The whole 72-hour span from the time I left Lexington to the time that I signed, it was crazy. I was getting texts, I was getting calls, I was getting DMs, it was crazy. People were posting articles. It was crazy.”

Kobi Albert on Defense AND Offense?

Despite the high stakes drama in the final days of his recruitment, Albert is happy he found a home at Kentucky. A two-way star for Fairfield Prep outside of Birmingham, Al., he was ranked in the On3 Consensus as a Top 500 prospect and the No. 17 ATH in America. He will begin his career playing strong safety, but Kobi Albert could end up catching passes for the Wildcats.

“There might be some packages where I might be on offense as well,” Mark Stoops and Scott Woodward told Albert. “I’m looking forward to that.”

Albert uses his instincts to extend his range and cover a ton of ground in the back half of the defense. Not only does he have the speed to cover slot receivers, he is not afraid to lower his shoulder in run support. The Kentucky defense demands a lot of its versatile strong safeties, but Albert came to Kentucky prepared for the tall task.

“The plays aren’t too hard. It’s crazy because it’s some of the things I actually ran last year in high school is some of the same stuff we’re running now, the same kind of concepts. As far as the plays, that’s not too hard, but it’s definitely harder than keeping up with guys,” Albert said. “For the most part I feel like I can keep up with pretty much anybody.”

His defensive knowledge has set him up well in early practices. Kentucky has upgraded speed at wide receiver. So far, he has not been forced to chase down any of his teammates after a miscue, but that is subject to change.

“I’ve been in good position. I ain’t gonna lie, I try to put myself in the best position where I won’t have to (chase down receivers), so as of right now, no, but come and ask me probably before the season starts and I can give you another answer for that.”

Learn more about Kobi Albert in this candid conversation with the talented young athlete.

Previous Editions of Meet the Rookies: Barion Brown, Alex Afari, Jordan Anthony