Recruiting Primer: A Fourth of July Celebration with Kentucky Football Commits

National Signing Day used to be a holiday of sorts in the South. The recruiting calendar has significantly changed. Instead of making decisions after their senior year of high school, now many of the top college football prospects around the nation announce their decisions when our nation celebrates its birthday. A year after Kentucky merely dipped its toes into the mix, the Wildcats are gearing up for a big week of additions.

During the 2024 cycle, Terhyon Nichols and Quaysheed Scott were the only two announcements around the Fourth of July holiday. This week KSR is gearing up for four planned announcements, and those might not be the only players joining Kentucky’s Top 25 2025 recruiting class this week.

Javeon Campbell

The highest-ranked player in the state of Kentucky had a meteoric rise through the recruiting rankings. This time a year ago, Javeon Campbell was a complete unknown at Western Hills High School in Frankfort. This spring he was courted by the biggest names in all of college football. Notre Dame and Ohio State pushed their chips in before Alabama, Auburn, and Miami emerged as legit contenders, with all three receiving official visits in June.

All the while, Kentucky has continued to make the in-state star a top priority. Vince Marrow put in legwork at Wan’Dale Robinson’s alma mater and despite a few late picks for Alabama, Kentucky is in an excellent position to secure another Top 200 recruiting win for an enormous athlete with a ton of upside.

Decision Date: July 2, 11:30 am EST
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Kentucky

Samari Reed

Kentucky secured a recruiting win last week from Monarch High School when Bryan Auguste committed to the Cats. Now the offensive tackle’s teammate is on the verge of announcing his decision. Kentucky is one of four schools to host Samari Reed for an official visit. Penn State, Ole Miss, and West Virginia are also in the mix in a recruitment that’s been tight-lipped. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will land the pass-catcher that tallied 56 receptions for 1,311 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall.

Decision Date: July 3
On3 RPM: Penn State

Jermiel Atkins

Vince Marrow has logged multiple wins in the state of Ohio during this recruiting cycle and he’s looking to add another on Independence Day. Of Kentucky’s three offensive tackle targets, Jermial Atkins is the biggest of the bunch at 6-foot-8, 280 pounds. The Dayton athlete shifted his focus from basketball to football in high school and it’s paid dividends. He showed off excellent footwork while camping at Kentucky in June, then returned a few weeks later for an official visit. Atkins officially visited Virginia Tech, Minnesota, and Arizona State, but the Cats appear to have an inside track in this recruitment.

Decision Date: July 4
On3 RPM: Kentucky

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Dawayne Galloway

The stars have aligned to put Kentucky on a fast track to land this exceptional cornerback. Dawayne Galloway is a Columbus native who ran a 4.35 at an Ohio State camp, yet the Buckeyes didn’t offer. They already had two commitments from five-star cornerbacks. In previous years, Steve Clinkscale would make Michigan a legitimate option, but he’s moved on with Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles.

West Virginia, Syracuse, and Purdue also got Galloway on campus for official visits. There was some buzz in West Lafayette that he may join his cousin at Purdue, but most believe that connection is not enough for Galloway to Boiler Up. If Galloway does join BBN, he’ll be the second-ever Top 300 cornerback to play for Mark Stoops, joining another Ohio native, Terhyon Nichols.

Decision Date: July 5
On3 RPM: Kentucky

Other Potential Additions for Kentucky

Few knew Quaysheed Scott was announcing a Kentucky commitment when he popped on July 4, 2023. There may be a few other surprises this week.

JUCO defensive tackle Dennious Jackson has been quiet since he announced a Kentucky offer a few weeks back. Eligible to play this fall, an announcement may come at any time. Another defensive lineman, Kalen Edwards, officially visited Kentucky, Louisville, and Auburn this summer. A true scheme-fit in Kentucky’s 3-4 defense, there was some UK buzz following his trip to Lexington. Announcement plans have not been unveiled, but we will keep our heads on a swivel.