National Signing Day: What You Need to Know About the Kentucky Recruiting Class

National Signing Day is a busy, busy time around the KSR compound. Even if you were hitting refresh with us all morning long, it’s easy to suffer from information overload. Allow me to share all of the important high notes from the most significant roster-building date for the 2024 Kentucky Wildcats.

When the post was written, Kentucky’s high school recruiting class ranks 25th with 21 commits on the board. The Wildcats also have six transfer portal additions. It’s the sixth-ranked portal class right now, but that will change during the second window after spring practice. Of the 27 new players, 18 will be on campus when the spring semester begins next month.

Significant National Signing Day Surprise

Jamon Dumas-Johnson played for two National Championship teams and was a Butkus Award finalist in 2022, given each year to top linebacker in college football. Known simply as ‘Pop,’ we cannot overstate the significance of this addition.

First and foremost, he fills a position of need after Trevin Wallace declared for the NFL Draft. Kentucky instantly added a top five linebacker in the SEC. Playing alongside D’Eryk Jackson and Deone Walker, the Cats will have one of the best run defenses in all of college football in 2024. Lastly, the man who called plays for the Georgia defense will provide leadership and experience from a championship program that is invaulable.

Kentucky Signed Elite High School Talent on Defense

The Cats got some dogs. The BBN has bemoaned the pass rush in recent years, so Kentucky loaded up on talent, particularly in the front seven. Jacob Smith and Jerod Smith are havoc creators, albeit in different ways. The Ohio guys are dudes that can play right away. Kentucky signed seven inside/outside linebackers and if four of them turn into starters, it’s a huge win for Brad White’s defense.

One player that will likely get slept on in this class that shouldn’t is Quaysheed Scott. South Carolina was persistent in their pursuit of the rising star from the Palmetto State. One of the most physical defensive backs I’ve seen on tape since I got on the job, he flies around to the football and can immediately give the Cats someone who can provide a mean streak in open space.

Vince Marrow’s Best National Signing Day

The Big Dog has seen some big recruiting wins after more than a decade in Lexington. Today he earned his salary and then some.

Marrow was the primary instate recruiter that inked the top five players from the Commonwealth. That happened in spite of Tennessee’s best efforts to pry away tight end Willie Rodriguez in the final month of the recruiting cycle. It seemed like a long shot that Kentucky could land the Smith twins, but as soon as they moved back to their old Kentucky home, he was working on a flip from Michigan and got it done.

In addition to his instate efforts, Marrow made waves in his home state. Kentucky signed two top top players from Ohio, EDGE Brian Robinson and CB Terhyon Nichols. The list of top 10 players from Ohio to sign with Kentucky is short and it’s mostly multi-year starters: Lynn Bowden, CJ Conrad, Alex Afari, Darian Kinnard and Chris Oats, to name a few. B-Rob and Nichols fit that mold and will compete for immediate playing time.

Marrow’s work in the transfer portal cannot be understated either. He played a role in most of the additions, particularly running back Chip Trayanum.

Kentucky is Fixing its Quarterback Recruiting Problems

Quarterback is the most important position on the football field and Mark Stoops made Kentucky respectable in the SEC in spite of their inability to produce a starting QB ranked in the top half of the league. It all starts with recruiting. Even though Kentucky has made hay with transfers, the best programs recruit and develop quarterbacks from the high school ranks.

Kentucky did what they’ve always done in the portal. Brock Vandagriff checks a lot of boxes — big arm, mobility, five-star pedigree — most notably, multiple years of eligibility. Liam Coen will have time to develop a former five-star talent that needs snaps to unlock his potential.

More importantly, they got a blue chip talent from the Commonwealth to represent his home state. Cutter Boley has is an impressive athlete with a big arm and a long frame that can handle some added weight. Boley’s pocket presence might be his greatest strength. With Vandagriff holding down the fort, Coen has time to make sure this guy is the right guy for the BBN.

Continuity and Culture from the Transfer Portal

Many of last year’s high-profile additions from the transfer portal were only one-year rentals. Following the recruit and develop mantra, this go around there was an emphasis on finding players like Brock Vandagriff that could become a part of the Kentucky football culture for multiple seasons.

“I think it’s a very big factor. It always has been. You’re never going to be perfect. We always work hard to educate our players and to inform them (of our culture). I think we have to expediate that process now. There’s an urgency to teach and develop and have them understand what we’re all about quickly because some guys aren’t here that long anymore.”

Stoops added, “You know that with the inconsistency that we’ve had, continuity is important.”

A Glaring Void at Offensive Tackle

Today was a great day for the Kentucky football program. The coaching staff’s approval rating is high for hitting on top-notch talent at various positions. That doesn’t mean this class satisfies every need.

There is one big absence at an important position, offensive tackle. Kentucky made a late move for four-star Jonathan Daniels, but could not flip the top ten tackle from Florida State. Their tackle portal targets all went elsewhere, only bringing in an offensive guard, Jalen Farmer. The Kentucky coaching staff believes Aba Selm and Marc Nave may grow into playing offensive tackle. That still may not solve their problem at that position.

When the Big Blue Wall was at its best, it was anchored by outstanding offensive tackles. Kentucky has not signed a Landon Young or a Darian Kinnard caliber player in years. Fixing that problem in the portal is precarious. There are no guarantees. Developing offensive tackles through high school recruiting is the best practice and the roster is not in a great position moving forward.