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Despite not having that breakthrough season on the field yet, Kentucky continues to recruit at a relatively high level under Mark Stoops and staff.
The Wildcats remain active in the talent-rich state of Ohio (they are the closest Southeastern Conference program in terms of proximity to the Buckeye State) in this cycle as 13 of the 22 committed prospects in the class hail from that state.
Here’s a quick look at where Kentucky’s 2016 class stands less than a month from national signing day.
Current Rank: No. 10 SEC, No. 29 Nationally (247Sports Composite rankings)
Top commit: Landon Young, OT, Lexington (Ky.) Lafayette . The 6-foot-7, uber-athletic U.S. Army All-American has future star written all over him. After a development period (or perhaps before), there’s no question that Young can become an All-Conference performer in the SEC and perhaps even an All-American and early NFL Draft pick. He’s that talented, but as a hometown prospect and early Cats commit, he’s under the radar in terms of the national conversation. Believe this, though: multiple programs would love to have him and have tried to sway him throughout the process. He just bleeds Kentucky blue.
Sleeper: Dakota Holtzclaw, TE, Columbus (Ohio) Kilbourne. Holtzclaw is a 6-foot-7, 215-pound athletic tight end who has the frame, toughness and ball skills to be an absolute monster once he fills out his frame. This could be one that the Buckeyes are regretting passing on at the end of the day and yet another steal out of the state of Ohio for Stoops and ace Buckeye State recruiter Vince Marrow.
Quick take: Kentucky has one of the best offensive line classes in the SEC this cycle and Stoops and staff continue to upgrade the lines of scrimmage. If this trend continues, that breakthrough season is just around the corner.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
