Purdue Athletics
When Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow began recruiting at a rate unequaled by their predecessors, only the big dogs — namely Ohio State and Alabama — stood in the way of Kentucky’s Big Dog. Now there’s a new kid on the block raising hell in the recruiting world: Purdue.
The artist formally known as “Purdude” has turned into a recruiting nightmare for Kentucky.
In his first season as the Boilermakers’ head coach, Jeff Brohm compiled a seven-win season that ended with a thrilling bowl victory over Arizona. Riding a wave of momentum, Brohm has made quite a few splashes on the recruiting midwestern scene.
It began with Rondale Moore. A four-star Army All-American, the Trinity slot receiver flipped from Texas to Purdue just ahead of National Signing Day. At the time it was perceived as a miraculous flip. It actually was just the beginning of a blazing hot recruiting season.
Brohm has deep-rooted connections within the state of Kentucky that could pay dividends at the right time. For the most talented in-state recruits, it’s always been a battle between UK and UofL. Now it’s a fatal three-way with Purdue in the 2019 class, the most talented group the Commonwealth has produced in years. J.J. Weaver and Wandale Robinson have already been to West Lafayette for official visits. Milton Wright has taken almost zero visits, but he’s been to Purdue.
It does not take a wise man to presume Brohm — a former Mr. Kentucky Football, UofL starting quarterback and WKU head coach — could recruit well in Kentucky, especially with a new facility and a ton of on-field momentum. However, a few recent recruiting decisions have sent a shockwave through the midwest.
In two weeks, Purdue has landed a pair of commitments that were perceived to be heavy-leans to Kentucky. The Boilermakers went to Detroit, a territory where UK has recently made a lot of noise, and picked up a commitment from four-star safety Marvin Grant. It happened only a few weeks after Grant was expected to announce a commitment to Kentucky. Last weekend Ohio defensive end Dontay Hunter, Benny Snell’s former high school teammate, picked Purdue over UK. Huh? Since Hunter’s decision, six others have committed to Purdue, increasing the Boilermakers’ total to FIFTEEN commitment in the month of June.
Purdue is riding a wave of recruiting momentum that resembles Mark Stoops’ meteoric rise in the midwestern recruiting scene. Each program sold a new facility with a rising, innovative coach where players can leave a lasting legacy by turning around a program. In the interim, Kentucky has adjusted by investing more in the deep south, picking up three commitments from the area in the last week.
As West Lafayette has transformed into a popular destination, Kentucky has taken some lumps. UK football can’t afford to take too many more.
*** If you’ve ever listened to a KSR Football Podcast, you’ll know that the Brohms are my cousins. That doesn’t change what’s happening on the recruiting scene in the Midwest.
It was quite a busy night in the Bluegrass for the Kentucky football team. The Cats picked up not one, but two commitments for Mark Stoops’ defense.
The first of the night came from a Jay Ward, a three-star cornerback who chose UK over West Virginia, UCF, Iowa State and others. The third commitment from the state of Georgia in the 2019 recruiting class, Rich Brooks’ old recruiting stomping grounds are bringing elite athletes back to the Commonwealth. Ward attends Colquitt County High School, the former home of running back Sihiem King, and is coached by Rush Probst, the man who became famous leading Hoover High on MTV’s “Two a Days.”
Speaking of Hoover High, that’s where Kentucky (kinda) found the second commitment of the night. Defensive lineman Taures Payne completed high school football in Hoover before transferring to Northwest Mississippi C.C. A 6’4″ 265-pound defensive lineman from Hoover and a Mississippi JUCO is all you need to know that he will be a stud (because Miss. JUCO defensive linemen are the best and most reliable recruits from the JUCO ranks).
The Cats’ 2019 football class now features ten commitments. That number should continue to grow in the coming weeks.
Relive Draft Night
The dust is still settling after a wild and crazy NBA Draft. Wenyen found a Summer League home in Sacramento, Kevin Knox was introduced to the New York media, Jarred Vanderbilt was riding a scooter in Denver and much more.
We do what we do to win championships. But it's also about nights like these. Take a few minutes and watch this and see why. To see a young man and his family's dreams come true, it makes us work a little harder and dream a little bigger. #DreamBig #NBADraft #WhoWantsToBeNext pic.twitter.com/1sNNDyp30F
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 22, 2018
One of Cal’s Best is in Town
Kentucky Wildcats never hesitate to return to reunite with their coaches on UK’s campus. That rule is not exclusive to UK players. Dejuan Wagner, Calipari’s first “one and done” who averaged 20 points per game at Memphis, is in Lexington this weekend for Cal’s Father-Son Camp.
@UKCoachCalipari
A Name from UofL’s Past Resurfaces
And no, it’s actually not a scandalous woman. Remember Akoy Agau? He was a forward at the end of Rick Pitino’s bench four years ago that opted to transfer to Georgetown. After a few years there and at SMU, he is returning to UofL as a grad transfer to play for Chris Mack. There are unorthodox college basketball paths, and then there’s this.
Who Won, Skip or Skip?
Embrace Debate.
Skip contradicts himself so much you can make a video of skip debating with himself ??? pic.twitter.com/FkYJ14HC2Z
— Rashid™ (@Bettyx2_) June 21, 2018
How about a Yahtzee to start the weekend? 2019 three-star cornerback Jay Ward just committed to Kentucky.
C O M M I T T E D …… Respect My Decision ? #BBN @therealkwat @_Elite3 pic.twitter.com/SnP1DlUiVJ
— JAY WARD (@JWARD_4) June 22, 2018
The 6’2″ 180 lbs. Moultrie, Georgia native held offers from Iowa State, Marshall, Southern Miss, UCF, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, and several others. He received an offer from Kentucky back on January 23, and visited unofficially on February 24.
Ward is Kentucky’s ninth commitment in the 2019 class, joining safety Moses Douglass, outside linebacker Kadarius McDaniel, dual quarterback Nik Scalzo, athlete Marquez Bembry, outside linebacker Tra Wilkins, cornerback Jalen Geiger, offensive tackle Jake Pope, and offensive guard Eli Cox.
Watch him work:
Kentucky is still in the hunt for one of the top remaining in-state recruits.
One month ago, the Cats landed a commitment from three-star defensive end/outside linebacker Shawnkel Knight-Goff. Two weeks later, the athlete from Louisville Doss backtracked and reopened his recruitment. After the decision, most people chalked it up as a loss to UofL. Most people were wrong.
Three weeks later, Knight-Goff is on Kentucky’s campus for an official visit. The ninth-ranked player in the state of Kentucky might not be a lost cause after all.
We learned long ago to never count out Vince Marrow. The Big Dog still has plenty of new tricks left for Kentucky’s 2019 recruiting class.
@Tra7_
Tra Wilkins could have been a Georgia Bulldawg. The linebacker from Stone Mountain could have been a hometown hero. He could have played alongside his cousin, Mecole Hardman, the wide receiver who scored two touchdowns in the National Championship Game. Instead of following in his family’s footsteps, Wilkins will create his own legacy at Kentucky.
Last night the three-star prospect announced on Twitter a commitment to the University of Kentucky, a decision that incited plenty of push-back from friends and family.
“I’m not going to lie, it was tough,” Wilkins said in a conversation with KSR. Even though Hardman and others wanted him in Athens, Wilkins did not want to play in the shadow of his cousin. “I want to start my own legacy. I want to start my own path. I think Kentucky would be the best place to do that at.”
Wilkins made his decision last week during an official visit to Kentucky. After committing to UK’s coaches, he followed through with a scheduled unofficial visit to Georgia, but could not be budged. Kentucky’s pitch was too appealing to turn away.
Recruited by wide receivers coach Michael Smith, the chance for early playing time enticed the inside linebacker. Jordan Jones enters his final season this fall and Kash Daniel only has two more years of eligibility remaining.
“We’ve been talking for a while. I got a chance to come up there and they treated me nice. There’s good people up there. I liked it and I don’t have any regrets doing what I did.”
During his visit, Wilkins was paired with another inside linebacker from Georgia, Jamin Davis. What put UK over the top was the camaraderie around the football facility.
“The people. Every school has academics. It was really about the people there. Plus, they want to see me succeed. I just like it up there. It’s a good place to be at. Coach Stoops is cool too.” Wilkins added that playing for a defensive-minded head coach was a must. “That’s why I didn’t think twice about Louisville.”
It takes quite a bit of cojones to spurn the family business and leave the in-state football powerhouse to play for an SEC East foe. Finding some swagger is not a problem for Tra Wilkins.
A self-described jack-of-all trades that can “handle any type of defense,” he called his shot and said his Stephenson Jaguars would finish the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as State Champions. When asked what Kentucky fans can expect to see him bring to the Big Blue Nation, without pausing he responded, “a Butkus Award.”
Wilkins will be pressured to flip his commitment. He even has a trip with his high school teammates to Auburn planned for this weekend. While some fans will worry, Wilkins plans on graduating in December and enrolling at Kentucky in January.
Wilkins’ family wanted him to go to Georgia, but now it’s “time to turn it up a level with my Wildcat family.”
@K_Goodwin2022
Kiyaunta Goodwin is no longer a secret.
The 6’7″ 370-pound 14-year old from Louisville first hit the college football recruiting scene last summer when Mark Stoops offered him a scholarship after attending a Kentucky football camp. Georgia, Louisville and others quickly followed that trend. This summer his offer sheet continues to grow.
A few days after receiving a scholarship offer from Florida State, Goodwin camped at Alabama. Before leaving Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban offered the 2022 prospect a scholarship. The future Holy Cross High School offensive tackle is now up to nine Division I offers.
Goodwin has been on Kentucky’s campus at least twice this summer. The freshman-to-be was a spectator during UK’s two primetime camps on June 9 and 10.
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After a busy opening recruiting weekend, things were much quieter at Kroger Field over Father’s Day weekend. Even though there were less kids on campus, there were still quite a few recruiting developments. There’s some good news, and some bad news. First, the bad news.
Damn it, Alabama
A few months ago, Wandale Robinson’s recruitment was essentially a two-horse race between Duke and Kentucky. Now, everybody that’s anybody is getting in the mix. One month ago Ohio State offered the four-star athlete from Frankfort. This weekend he attended a camp in Tuscaloosa and this happened:
@RTRNews
That’s right. Nick Saban brought him into his office, busted out the National Championship rings, told Robinson he had a great camp and offered him a scholarship.
Keeping Robinson inside the Commonwealth isn’t getting any easier.
Legacy Recruit Commits Elsewhere
This afternoon Cincinnati offensive lineman Zeke Correll committed to Notre Dame. The four-star top 200 prospect has a last name many UK fans know well.
His grandfather, Ray, was an All-American for Bear Bryant and is enshrined in the Cats’ Ring of Honor. His father, Steve, was a three-year player at UK and his brother, Gabe, was a preferred walk-on during Joker Phillips’ tenure. Stoops and Marrow recruited Correll, but it wasn’t in the cards for Correll to continue the family tradition at Kentucky.
UK Makes the Cut
Two weeks ago Braylen Ingraham took an official visit to Kentucky. Yesterday he cut his list of suitors to six: Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, Florida, Alabama and Kentucky. A four-star defensive end from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to land Ingraham the Cats must take down the big dogs.
On the same weekend UK hosted Ingraham, Triston Miller made an official visit to Lexington. A three-star offensive lineman from Charlotte, Miller is down to North Carolina, Arkansas, N.C. State, Maryland and Kentucky. You’ll only have to wait another month or so before Miller makes a final decision. .
Florida RB Plans Visit
A 2020 running back from Ft. Meyers likes what he’s hearing from Kentucky. Brandon Benjamin told Rivals’ Woody Wommack he intends to visit Lexington soon.
“Kentucky came by my school to watch me in practice and after that my coach let me know I have an offer. I plan on getting up there to campus for a visit. I know they have a running back now, Benny Snell, he’s great. They build their running backs up to play a power-type game and that’s my style of play.”
Can Nikolas Ognenovic’s Dad still Play?
The three-star Kentucky tight end target followed his UK official visit with an official visit to Pitt. At each stop, he posed with his parents while rocking the school’s uniforms. Somebody needs to put Ogenovic’s father in full pads.
@N11kolas
Ognenovic plans to make his final decision in July and I like UK’s chances. If he chooses to wear the Kentucky blue and white, for the love of God watch your mouth around Mr. Ognenovic. That is one dad you do NOT want to mess with.
@WHAS11Whitney
Three-star Louisville Manual running back Aidan Robbins has committed to play college football for Bobby Petrino and the Louisville Cardinals. Robbins chose UofL over Kentucky, Purdue, Missouri and Vanderbilt.
The eleventh-ranked player in the state of Kentucky according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, Robbins initially planned on taking an official visit to UK next weekend. Following last weekend’s official to Mizzou, he set a decision date, effectively canceling the official visit to Kentucky and eliminating any chance the Cats had at landing another in-state commitment.
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Aidan Robbins Running Back/Linebacker | 6-3 | 225 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | DuPont Manual Highlights |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 40 ATH| 8 KY | Top 247 | 47 RB | 10 KY | |
| Rivals | — | 10 KY | 247 Comp. | 51 RB | 11 KY | |
On the same day Kentucky lost an in-state commitment, they’re hosting three other Louisville recruits ranked a little higher than Robbins: four-star defensive end J.J. Weaver, four-star linebacker Jared Casey and three-star wide receiver TaeTae Crumes.
@Jared_casey01
Jared Casey will be on Kentucky’s campus tomorrow. The four-star linebacker from Louisville Ballard told KSR he will make the trip to Lexington to work with defensive coordinator Matt House during the Cats’ single-day camp.
After the linebacker earned MVP honors at a Rivals Camp in Nashville, Casey received a scholarship offer from Kentucky. Tomorrow’s trip to Lexington will be Casey’s third unofficial visit since UK extended an offer on May 21.
Casey will not be the only local talent in attendance. Sources tell KSR that two other prospects from Louisville, Moore defensive end J.J. Weaver and Butler wide receiver TaeTae Crumes, will be in Lexington for unofficial visits. Weaver and Crumes hold UK offers, and along with Casey, are considered top ten players in the state of Kentucky by the 247 Composite Rankings.
The players from the state of Kentucky will not be alone. UK is hosting four-star Michigan defensive end Michael Fletcher and three-star Georgia outside linebacker Tra Wilkins on official visits. There’s also another big name on UK’s board that may join the recruiting party tomorrow in Lexington.
@N11KOLAS and @D1Ruke
Top recruits are going in and out of the Kentucky football facility on a daily basis this summer. Over the weekend, the Cats had their biggest recruiting event of the season.
Three-star tight end Nikolas Ognenovic made this visit to Lexington his first official. Nik Scalzo’s tight end at Ft. Lauderdale’s Cardinal Gibbons High School, Ognenovic said he “felt the love” as soon as he stepped on campus. With his potential future position coach, Vince Marrow, he posted the following picture with the caption, “I had an unbelievable first official visit at the University of Kentucky!”
@N11KOLAS
Ognenovic was joined by five other official visitors: outside linebacker Marquez Bembry, cornerback Jaden Davis, defensive end Braylen Ingraham, offensive lineman Triston Miller and pass rusher Ruke Orhorhoro.
Not long after Davis, a four-star Top 300 prospect from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, arrived on campus, he Tweeted, “I’m at home when I’m down here in Lexington.” He’ll choose his permanent college home on July 18.
Davis’ four-star Thomas Aquinas teammate, Ingraham, announced once he returned home that he will soon release a Top Six. Expect to see Kentucky’s name on that list.
Bembry liked UK so much, the JuCo edge rusher committed as soon as he returned home. Miller, an Under Armour All-American from North Carolina, seems to have enjoyed his trip to the Bluegrass.
Great visit! Kentucky showing a lot of LOVE! ?? pic.twitter.com/fD32zyhshi
— Triston Miller (@darylmiller033) June 9, 2018
Orhorhoro provided the most significant details about this weekend’s official visits in an interview with Rivals’ Josh Helmholdt. Hosted by nose tackle Quinton Bohanna, Orhorhoro enjoyed spending time with the players, all of which interacted like they were brothers.
“It went amazing,” Orhorhoro said. “I loved the people there, the atmosphere and the environment. It was way better than I expected.”
They didn’t beat football into his head, refraining from the topic completely during his first two days as they toured the football facilities and academic buildings around campus. They even paid a visit to a local horse farm, which produced a fantastic response.
“It was pretty cool. I had never been to a horse farm in my life and those horses are really big in-person. They showed us a lot to do in Kentucky.”
The three-star Michigan pass-rusher will be in Clemson tomorrow before he officially visits Indiana next weekend. Michigan is the other school in Orhorhoro’s top four.
Kentucky will host a few more official visitors this week. Four-star Michigan defensive end Michael Fletcher is expected to arrive today, but I don’t think he got there before Georgia outside linebacker Tra Wilkins.
— T R A W I L K I N S (@Tra7_) June 12, 2018
Marrow with Frankfort’s Wandale Robinson (@Robinson_era)
The state of Kentucky is not well-known for producing top high school football talent, but the class of 2019 features five consensus Top 300 players. It’s not a top-heavy class either. Two of the next six players in the 247 Composite Rankings are considered four-star prospects by at least one recruiting service.
Over the last two months, Mark Stoops reassigned Vince Marrow to recruit the state of Kentucky. Marrow’s addition gave Kentucky quite a bit of momentum entering the summer. Here’s where UK currently stands for the state’s top ten eleven football prospects according to the 247 Composite Rankings.
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Stephen Herron Defensive End | 6-4 | 235 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Trinity Committed to: Michigan |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | No. 137| 14 DE | Top 247 | No. 140 | 9 DE | |
| Rivals | No. 51| 4 DE | 247 Comp. | No. 83 WR | 6 DE | |
The top-ranked player in the state visited Kentucky multiple times before committing to Michigan 11 months ago.
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Jacob Lacey Defensive Tackle | 6-2 | 300 lbs. Bowling Green, Ky. | South Warren Committed to: Notre Dame |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | No. 116| 14 DT | Top 247 | No. 119 | 7 DT | |
| Rivals | 18 DT| 2 KY | 247 Comp. | No. 142 | 9 DT | |
Lacey had a scholarship offer from Kentucky, but the Cats were never really in the picture. He committed to Notre Dame on the same day Herron committed to Michigan, July 29, 2017.
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Milton Wright Athlete | 6-3 | 190 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Christian Academy of Louisville Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | No. 274 | 44 WR | Top 247 | No. 54 | 3 ATH | |
| Rivals | No. 188 | 33 WR | 247 Comp. | No. 149 | 12 ATH | |
The No. 3 player in the state has kept his recruitment close to the vest. We know his top five — Ohio State, Alabama, Purdue, Kentucky and Louisville — but everything else remains a mystery. A receiver at the next level, Wright could pick any of the five schools and it would not be a surprise.
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Bryan Hudson Offensive Lineman | 6-4 | 295 lbs. Georgetown, Ky. | Scott County Committed to: Virginia Tech |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | No. 250 | 13 OG | Top 247 | No. 184 | 8 OG | |
| Rivals | No. 242 | 25 OT | 247 Comp. | No. 214 | 10 OG | |
Kentucky extended the three-sport star a scholarship offer during his freshman season, but Hudson was set on attending college outside of the Commonwealth, ultimately choosing Virginia Tech in April.
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Tanner Bowles Offensive Tackle | 6-5 | 280 lbs. Glasgow, Ky. | Glasgow Committed to: Alabama |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | No. 217 | 23 OT | Top 247 | No. 146 | 19 OT | |
| Rivals | 53 OT| 6 KY | 247 Comp. | No. 250 | 27 OT | |
Kentucky was Bowles’ first offer, but that didn’t matter after he attended Alabama’s Spring Game. Bowles committed the day after unofficially visiting Tuscaloosa for A-Day.
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Jared Casey Inside Linebacker | 6-3 | 220 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Ballard Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | — | — | Top 247 | 20 ILB | 8 KY | |
| Rivals | — | — | 247 Comp. | 18 ILB | 6 KY | |
After an injury forced him to miss his junior season, Casey surged onto the recruiting season at Rivals’ Nashville Three Stripes Camp. After earning MVP honors, he picked up scholarship offers from anybody and everybody. He’s visited Kentucky twice since Vince Marrow extended a scholarship offer, but Louisville, his favorite team as a child, appears to be in the lead.
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JJ Weaver Defensive End | 6-6 | 235 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Moore Traditional Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 52 DE| 7 KY | Top 247 | 21 DE | 6 KY | |
| Rivals | — | 8 KY | 247 Comp. | 35 DE | 7 KY | |
Weaver gave rave reviews after he visited Kentucky for the first time last month, but he’s since visited Louisville and taken an official visit to Purdue. Those trips have put Kentucky back behind the 8-ball for the Louisville athlete that grew up in Florida.
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Shawnkel Knight-Goff Outside Linebacker | 6-4 | 215 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Doss Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 54 DE| 11 KY | Top 247 | 47 DE | 9 KY | |
| Rivals | 33 DE | 5 KY | 247 Comp. | 44 DE | 8 KY | |
Knight-Goff committed to Kentucky on May 18, only to reopen his recruitment less than two weeks later on May 31. Kentucky is still an option as Louisville tries to steal the Cats’ former commit.
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Demontae “TaeTae” Crumes Wide Receiver | 6-1 | 165 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | Butler Traditional Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | –| — | Top 247 | 93 WR | 11 KY | |
| Rivals | –| — | 247 Comp. | 79 WR | 9 KY | |
Crumes pulled a reverse-Knight-Goff. After committing to UofL in February, he de-committed in April. Crumes made the move after UK, Oregon, Michigan State and Michigan extended scholarship offers.
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Wandale Robinson All-Purpose Back | 5-9 | 180 lbs. Frankfort, Ky. | Western Hills Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 35 ATH| 6 KY | Top 247 | 5 APB | 7 KY | |
| Rivals | — | 9 KY | 247 Comp. | 5 APB | 10 KY | |
Robinson is at the top of UK’s recruiting board for in-state prospects. After an unofficial visit last month, it appeared that UK made a move to the top as Robinson neared a decision. Then Ohio State offered. The Buckeyes’ move, and an official visit to Purdue, completely opened up Robinson’s recruitment and pushed Kentucky back with the rest of the pack.
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Aidan Robbins Running Back/Linebacker | 6-3 | 225 lbs. Louisville, Ky. | DuPont Manual Committed to: Undecided |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 40 ATH| 8 KY | Top 247 | 47 RB | 10 KY | |
| Rivals | — | 10 KY | 247 Comp. | 51 RB | 11 KY | |
Once considered a lock at Vanderbilt, Vince Marrow changed the game by pitching Robbins the opportunity to play either running back or linebacker. He scheduled an official visit to Kentucky for June 22, after official visits to Purdue and Missouri. A day after returning from Mizzou, Robbins announced he will commit Wednesday afternoon. That’s not a good omen for Kentucky.
Kentucky stuck with the early offer strategy that’s worked before for in-state recruits. When that did not work, Vince Marrow entered the picture and moved the needle in recruiting battles with Louisville. After temporary gains, Purdue and Ohio State have emerged as the most-credible foreign threats to Kentucky’s in-state recruiting success.