Relationship with Liam Coen led '25 QB Stone Saunders to include Kentucky in top 5

Over the last decade, Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow have completely changed how Kentucky football is perceived on the national level. But offensive coordinator Liam Coen is looking to take the program to another level. That starts with successfully recruiting high-end signal-callers. 2024 four-star quarterback Cutter Boley was Coen’s first hit. Could Stone Saunders be the next?

On Monday, Saunders, a three-star QB from Harrisburg (PA) Bishop McDevitt, announced that he is down to a list of finalists that includes Kentucky, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, and Miami (FL) — an impressive group of traditionally strong football programs.

Kentucky would be considered the one outlier out of those five, but Coen’s track record doesn’t make it seem all that crazy anymore. Saunders and Coen have developed a strong, still-growing bond that has the Wildcats among the former’s top options.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Coen,” Saunders told KSR on Tuesday. “My dad trained him when he was trying to get into the NFL and I just love his system offensively. He has a very pro-style system coming from the (Los Angeles) Rams under Sean McVay. Coach Stoops, the whole staff has really just treated me like a family there. I love everything about Kentucky. Kentucky is great.”

Blessed! Where’s home? @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/A31PZAqrZi

— Stone Saunders (@Stone_Saunders8) June 27, 2023

When Coen graduated from UMass in 2008 after a record-breaking quarterback career with the Minutemen, he linked up with Stone’s father to help prepare for the NFL Draft Combine. While Coen ultimately didn’t find his way into the big leagues, his relationship with the Saunders family remained. 15 years later, it’s trickling down to Stone, who is considered the No. 333 overall prospect in the ’25 class according to On3 Industry Ranking.

“Me and Coach Coen FaceTime like once a week,” Saunders said. “He’s a younger guy so he’s easy to get along with. We can just talk about whatever and talk about their recruiting and everything like that. He can help me out because he played the game. He played quarterback, so Coach Coen is great, he’s a great teacher, and he can develop me as a man. And Coach Stoops also could develop me as a man and as a player.”

Saunders has been to Lexington three times already in 2023. He first came to campus for Kentucky’s Junior Day in late January, which is when Coen officially extended him a scholarship. Saunders would return two more times, the first in April and the second just a few weeks ago in early June. Each visit was a chance to pick Coen’s brain and learn more about the program.

“How much time they spent on me,” Saunders said about what he remembers from his visits to UK. “When I went down on a Junior Day, Coach Coen and Coach Woody [Scott Woodward] sat down with me and my receiver for a couple of hours and we just went through what they do offensively. Coach Stoops making time for me, obviously he’s head coach, he’s got a lot going on, but making time for me and my family. Telling me I’m a high priority. Just very thankful for that because they’ve got a lot going on, so the fact that they make time for me is just awesome.”

Incredible day at Kentucky, thank you to the whole staff for the amazing hospitality to me and my family💙#BBN pic.twitter.com/HppKLl3brs

— Stone Saunders (@Stone_Saunders8) June 11, 2023

Kentucky’s pitch is certainly standing out to Saunders, but this recruitment is hardly a one-horse race. Georgia is the back-to-back national champion and has been after him for over a year now. He’s also visited Nebraska three times this year and is a fan of new head coach Matt Rhule. Michigan offered him prior to his freshman year and he’s visited several times throughout his high school career. Miami (FL) came in late, but he’s hoping to visit there soon to learn more about what the Hurricanes have to offer.

At this stage in his process, Saunders says he could see himself announcing a commitment before his junior season begins in the fall, likely in early August. An announcement has been set for Aug. 4, abc27 in Harrisburg, PA reports.

This recruitment is still far from over, but Coen has positioned Kentucky nicely as we head down what could be the final stretch.

During his sophomore season in 2022, Saunders appeared in 14 games for Bishop McDevitt en route to winning the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and a state championship. He has also twice been tabbed as a MaxPreps All-American. Saunders threw for over 3,500 yards and totaled 54 touchdowns with just five interceptions on a completion percentage of 68.7, leading the Crusaders to a 13-1 record and the Class 4A state title.