Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
When Mark Stoops closed his eyes late last night, he went to sleep knowing he just signed a top-30 recruiting class at Kentucky, the best in school history. And when he woke up this morning, Stoops got right back to work on that class as he tries to add a few more pieces before closing the book on 2013 recruiting. Stoops said yesterday he still hopes to sign a couple more players to the class of 2013, and Neal Brown added that they’re hoping sign another player on both sides of the ball. Here are three of the known targets:
TEVIN LAWSON
Defensive Tackle
6’4”, 275 lbs.
Denham Springs, LA
Rivals: 5.8
ESPN: 83
247: 88
Lawson committed to LSU almost a year ago, but he was recently told there aren’t enough scholarships for him and he’ll have to pay his own way through school in the fall. Four-star defensive tackles aren’t usually asked to greyshirt, so Lawson reopened his recruitment and is now considering Kentucky. He’ll fly into Lexington tomorrow for an official visit to UK this weekend and then sign with a school shortly after.
JAMES HEARNS
Linebacker
6’3”, 230 lbs.
Tallahassee, FL
Rivals: 5.8
ESPN: 82
247: 92
James Hearns is the seventh-ranked inside linebacker in America and a top 200 player overall, 28 spots ahead of Jason Hatcher on the list. Hearns originally committed to Florida but he and the school agreed to part ways when his academic eligibility became an issue. Kentucky, having more scholarships to play with and a reason to take the gamble, jumped on Hearns after his decommitment from the Gators and immediately became his new favorite option.
However, it’s looking like Hearns won’t make the grades to play D-1 football next season, unfortunately.
TAJ WILLIAMS
Wide Receiver
6’4”, 170 lbs.
Tallahassee, FL
Rivals: 5.8
ESPN: 83
247: 90
Like James Hearns, Taj Williams is a highly-ranked top 250 recruit from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida. And, like Hearns, Taj Williams is also struggling to qualify. Even if he does get his grades up, Kentucky will have to fight off Auburn, Louisville, and others for a signature.
Williams had offers from top programs like Alabama, Florida, USC, Notre Dame and Florida State before grades became an issue.
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February 7th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Tevin Lawson will be a cat. Bash me all you want. Wait until early next week.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
I don’t understand how grades can be an issue in high school. If you’re struggling in high school, you have zero chance in college without a lot of “help”
February 7th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
I agree with #1. Of the 3, the odds are on Lawson to be a Wildcat. (keeping my fingers crossed).
February 7th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
I agree on Lawson. A scholarship is always better than paying your way. I seriously doubt he stays with LSU. Who are the other schools in contention?
February 7th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
#2 I guess you are referring to KY high schools. My two years in Maryland was harder then anything I took in HS in KY. Basically we were learning and focusing more on math, and science. KY sits around quarter of the year getting you ready for the useless CATS testing and then you got a portfolio for writing. Overall I’d guess a KY HS is a lot easier then half the country, or I could say Maryland prepared a person a lot better. All schools go by the ACT score for a reason, it’s something the state don’t have control over so the colleges won’t care if you had D’s and C’s if you scored a 24 on you ACT. Like here in Warren county everybody knows Greenwood is the place to go for academics and Warren Central for English as a second language LOL.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Maryland sucks
February 7th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
5.) Given your writing skills in your post, neither Maryland nor Kentucky gave you the help you needed.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Com’on Man, to do poorly in any high school, pretty much anywhere, and you’d have to spend your days in a tattoo parlor getting tattoo sleeves or shopping for diamond stud earrings.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
5 it seems pretty well written to me. I see one typo (“state” should be “states”), other than that I don’t see what you’re talking about.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Lawson and Hearns are Cats, it’s already done. Cats are also going to add Nebraska RB transfer Braylon Heard, a former 5 star prospect.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
To the Tallahassee High Schools: Can you provide some creative academic assistance for these two young men so they can further their college careers?
February 7th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Yeah it’s me
February 7th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
It’s one thing to be generally intelligent enough, quite another to put forth the effort necessary to achieve appropriate grades.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
UK must feel good about Lawson. Last night at the K Fund event, they showed highlight reels of each committed recruit and the coordinators spoke about each one. At the end of the defensive recruits, the video guys mistakenly started up Tevin Lawson’s reel. DJ Eliot laughed it off. Probably an honest mistake, but interesting that they already had it worked up just in case.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
#10 are we still in the mix for heard? Not been a lot of talk about him recently. Did he ever actually say he was considering us?
February 7th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
9) if that’s all you see wrong with that post, then maybe you didn’t get the help you needed in HS, either
February 7th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Sound as if Lincoln High School is doing a great job with their students. #10 How are they Cats?
February 7th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
15) yea Heard was officially announced yesterday that he’s transferring, and all signs point to UK. He went to Mooney High, same as McWilson and Stoops. He’s from Youngstown OH and has connections with UK current staff. UK also needs more depth at RB and Heard is a stud when given the right offense and opportunity. He’s a 5-6 yard a down back.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
17) when players have grade issues word must be kept quiet. They will both be announced by end of next week.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
10/18. Hearns qualified? Lawson commit prior to visit?
February 7th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
5 you must be an old fart. Kentucky doesn’t do CATS testing or portfolios anymore, I think my senior year was when they quit doing both
February 7th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
19)/9)
yeah, ok *neal* (brown) you cant hide from us
February 7th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Wouldn’t Heard have to sit out next year?
February 7th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
23) yea but will be a solid addition for a couple years after.
February 7th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
ESPN has Lawson as an offensive tackle. Which will he play???
February 7th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Man, I’m a little worried about the O-line next year. I don’t want my career to end early due to lack of blocking.
February 7th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
18. Not sure more depth is needed at RB.
George Senior
Sanders Senior
Clemons Soph
Mobley Soph
Taylor Soph
Kemp Fresh
Thomas Fresh
February 7th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
27) by depth i mean “better” depth. Heard would be the best RB on our roster if he was to start today.
February 7th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Uk Should go after WR Corn Elder from ensworth hs in Nashville. He’s a pretty good basketball player and wants to play both in college.
February 7th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Yes heard will have to sit a year
February 7th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
I agree with #2. Great point. Makes no sense to me.
February 7th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Anyone know what happened with Lovell Peterson(3* DT from Ohio)? I thought he was a heavy lean to UK before NSD.
February 7th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Hit the books and c’mooooon down!
February 7th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Look, if a kid can’t get his grades in order, then move on to JC or forget sports. Reality bites.