SEC program extends offer to Kentucky CB commit Demarcus Gardner

A current Kentucky football commit is hearing from another SEC program.

On Saturday, three-star cornerback Demarcus Gardner announced on social media that he had received an offer from the Ole Miss Rebels. Ranked No. 703 overall in the 2025 class by the On3 Industry Ranking, Gardner was originally committed to UCF before flipping to Kentucky back in June. This is the first new offer he has announced since choosing the Wildcats.

Gardner has performed quite well through the first two weeks of his senior season at Cedartown (GA) High. In the season-opener against Rockmart last week, he returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown and also caught a 61-yard reception for another score.

Gardner first committed to UCF in March and then took an official visit to the Knights in May. Kentucky actually offered him in January but became a real threat soon after his initial commitment to UCF. Once the UK staff was able to get him to Lexington for an official visit in June, the tides began to change. He flipped to the ‘Cats a little over a week after his trip to Kentucky.

Prior to his commitment, Gardner held additional offers from the likes of Georgia Southern, Troy, Coastal Carolina, SMU, Georgia State, and a couple of others. Now, he’s hearing from another SEC school in Ole Miss, a Top 10 preseason team. They might not be the last either.