Kentucky, Tennessee, & Auburn Recruiting

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  8 hours ago
ICYMI: My look at UK's in-state recruiting dominance since Mark Stoops and company came to Lexington http://bit.ly/1sCGlkm

In the less than two years that Stoops has led the program, 15 players in the state of Kentucky who are considered top-five prospects by Rivals.com have announced commitments. Eleven of those players have chosen the Wildcats, while two have picked Louisville and two have committed to out-of-state schools.


UK landed commitments from four of the top five in-state players for the class of 2014, the first time that had happened since Rivals.com started publishing state-by-state rankings in 2003.

The only top-five prospect who didn't commit to UK during the 2014 cycle was Reggie Bonnafon, a former Louisville Trinity standout who chose the Cardinals less than two months into Stoops' tenure at UK. U of L's only other top-five in-state commitment since Stoops arrived in Lexington has been James Quick, another former Trinity star who also chose the Cards a few weeks after Stoops was hired.

If UK adds Madison Southern running back Damien Harris — the state's first five-star Rivals recruit — to its class of 2015, the Cats will have three top-five in-state commitments in that group. UK already has commitments from three of the top five in-state players in the class of 2016, and a clean sweep of the top five remains a possibility...

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  29 minutes ago

UK football commitment Jeremiah Dinson --> RT @New_EraJD3 Louisville just offered #ACC #GoCards ⚫️🔴


3-star Hialeah CB

[jbcarol]

Five-star running back Damien Harris is set to announce his decision in a little over a month and while most think Kentucky has a leg up, Alabama continues to lurk in the picture. Harris is expected to visit Tuscaloosa not once, but twice this month, with an unofficial visit coming next weekend, followed by an official visit for the Iron Bowl and the end of the month. Those close to the Tide believe that they still have a very real chance at landing Harris and are putting the full-court press on in an effort to steal him from the 'Cats. While Alabama feels good, we saw a similar battle last cycle, over three-star defensive tackle Matt Elam...


Jen Smith @jenheraldleader  ·  2h 2 hours ago

How Kentucky's Matt Elam is trying hard to become more than the "get-by guy." http://www.kentucky.com/2014/11/06/3525103_as-he-changes-his-body-kentuckys.html ...

Being recruited is like eating a honey bun.

Sweet, gooey, easy, fun.

It was that way for Matt Elam.

The Kentucky freshman ate up that process, the same way he'd devour a honey bun, one of his favorite foods.

"Coaches come over and you eat together," the five-star defensive lineman recalled. "They tell you how great you are. That's the sweet stage. They'll tell you whatever you want to hear."

Coaches from across the country would sit across the table from Elam and tell him that the bonus weight on his 390-plus pound frame would fall right off once he started playing for their school.

Not Mark Stoops. The Kentucky coach told Elam he needed a plan and that nothing happens magically.

"He was like, 'Even if you come here or not, this is what you need to do to help yourself,'" Elam said.

The Stoops plan wasn't sophisticated sports science. It included diet and exercise — over the course of years, not months — and it included lots of extra work for Elam.

It wasn't as comforting as a honey bun, but Elam wondered if it might be more fulfilling.

[jbcarol]

Ryan Lemond @ryanlemond  ·  Nov 6
Just heard Woodford [Reserve] lineman Drake Jackson @THE_DRAKE_52 is going to announce his college decision Dec 13 - final 3 are UK, Bama & Tenn

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  1 minute ago
By the way, Damien Harris is here and once again wearing UK gear. Sixth home game this season for Harris.


#1 RB in 2015 class

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  3 hours ago

Surprise guest at Knoxville QB club: Butch Jones. Standing ovation.

Fan asks Butch for biggest remaining need in recruiting. Jones cites depth on both lines, running backs and overall speed in back end of D

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  16 hours ago

http://Scout.com 's #Vols website says 5-star Preston Williams has torn ACL/MCL & will undergo surgery next week

'15 Hampton Lovejoy WR

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  17 hours ago

JC coach compares #Vols RB commit @A_kamara6 to NFL 1st rounder Cordarrelle Patterson: "Freakish talent" --> http://on-ajc.com/1zlb6Qx

[NoNC4Tubs]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  17 hours ago

JC coach compares #Vols RB commit @A_kamara6 to NFL 1st rounder Cordarrelle Patterson: "Freakish talent" --> http://on-ajc.com/1zlb6Qx

If he can only stay out of the doghouse......

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  16 hours ago
Top in-state [Kentucky] football target for 2016, Drake Jackson, who just got an offer from Ohio State: "Kentucky still leads" ...

They gotta love the Drake...

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  16 hours ago

Georgia DB will be joined by his older brother at Tennessee http://on-ajc.com/1xNHufz

Micah Abernathy, the 4-star cornerback who committed to Tennessee over UGA last month, will be joined at Tennessee by his older brother next season.

Ralph David Abernathy IV, who played football at Cincinnati and will graduate in December with a finance degree, will enroll at Tennessee in January as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility.

The family discussed this option with coaches from Tennessee, UGA and Ohio State before settling on the Volunteers. Ralph, who plays slot receiver and returns punts and kickoffs, cemented the deal while visiting Tennessee this weekend.

Their grandfather was a central figure of the Civil Rights movement.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  16 hours ago

NEW: 3-star DE Tyrone Riley commits to Kentucky. Cats move to No. 22 in Rivals rankings (w/ chart of all 17 commits) http://bit.ly/1qnYo3C

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  22 hours ago
NEW: UK football recruits Landon Young, Jordan Griffin, Drake Jackson among those ranked in the new ESPN 300 for 2016 http://bit.ly/1yrbIDs

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  2 hours ago
#Auburn's 2015 recruiting class drops outside top 10 in national rankings http://ow.ly/EHixe

[jbcarol]

As the Texas Longhorns look for at least one true inside linebacker to the 2015 recruiting class, it appears increasingly likely that the staff could land a signature from current Tennessee Volunteers commit Cecil Cherry, a product of Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian.

Not only did Cherry visit for the West Virginia game, but he also told Scout that Texas was his "dream school" growing up...

[jbcarol]

Paul Fortenberry @Volquest_Paul  ·  10 hours ago
Vols land commitment from 2016 linebacker Emanuel Bridges...



3-star OLB from Newnan

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  34 minutes ago
Erruption Zone chants for @Damien_D1Harris during game


UK basketball fans recognizing nations top ranked '15 RB who lives less than 30 miles from Rupp Arena.

[jbcarol]

Patrick Loney @PatrickLoney  ·  11 hours ago
2016 4-star stud FB center Drake Jackson @THE_DRAKE_52 will visit #Kentucky on Dec. 5th for the Texas game at Rupp Arena. #BBN #Scout

[jbcarol]

Patrick Brown @patrickbrownTFP  ·  11 hours ago
Tennessee has made the mid-state an emphasis, in recruiting and otherwise. Now the #Vols need to win a game there. http://bit.ly/1FEybkJ

When Butch Jones arrived in Knoxville as Tennessee's football coach, the program greatly increased its presence and emphasis on Nashville and the surrounding midstate area.

Now the Volunteers need a win there to extend their season.

Whether it's been by adding a future neutral-site game or locking up some of the best prospects in the state of Tennessee's fastest-growing area, Jones and the Vols have made the mid-state a priority the past two years, the strongest statement coming when Tennessee signed seven players from the area in its 2014 class.

The areas containing Nashville and Murfreesboro have surpassed Memphis as the state of Tennessee's primary hotbed, and the Vols and their SEC rivals have dipped into the talent pool, particularly in this cycle.

Georgia (Ravenwood receiver Van Jefferson), Alabama (Ensworth cornerback Rico McGraw) and Ole Miss (Nashville Overton corner Ugo Amadi) hold commitments from three of the top six players in Tennessee according to the 247sports rankings, and Hillsboro defensive end Kyle Phillips is being courted by LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Tennessee's 2015 class includes five players from the area, including touted offensive lineman Jack Jones and quarterback Jauan Jennings out of Murfreesboro, and Brentwood Academy offensive lineman Ryan Johnson, a four-star prospect according to 247sports, is an early commitment for 2016.

The Vols will open next season in Nashville against UAB at LP Field, and should it win today, there's an outside chance Tennessee could play three straight games in the state capital if they were to land in the Music City Bowl...

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  3 hours ago
2016 recruit, Ashland RB Quentin Baker (@Qbaker5) has decommited from Kentucky

[jbcarol]

Patrick Loney @PatrickLoney  ·  11 hours ago
2016 4-star stud FB center Drake Jackson @THE_DRAKE_52 will visit #Kentucky on Dec. 5th for the Texas game at Rupp Arena. #BBN #Scout

Drake Jackson @THE_DRAKE_52  ·  5h 5 hours ago
Top four schools:

Alabama 🐘
Kentucky 🔵
Ohio State ⭕️
Tenessee 🔶

*Announcement will be made December 13th at my house.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  3 hours ago
Recruits react strongly to Auburn's firing of Ellis Johnson http://ow.ly/F70Yj

One of the strongest opinions came from linebacker commit Elijah Sullivan (Tucker, Ga.), who tweeted "Smh...need to find a new DC and fast."

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  6 hours ago
On the blog: UK is the only team in the SEC with zero Rivals 250 football commitments for the class of 2015 http://bit.ly/1FKhEtD

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  Dec 1
NEW: UK recruit Damien Harris remains the No. 1 running back in new rankings from http://Rivals.com  ... http://bit.ly/1y9wMAn

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  9 hours ago

After Ellis Johnson's dismissal, Auburn commit Darrell Williams 'keeping an open mind with Alabama' http://ow.ly/FkKdS

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  25 minutes ago

Four Auburn recruits have completed paperwork, plan to enroll early http://s.al.com/AgankqB

Four incoming Auburn freshmen have signed their enrollment paperwork and plan to enroll when the spring semester begins on Jan. 14, allowing them to participate in spring practice.

Quarterback Tyler Queen, fullback Chandler Cox and offensive linemen Tyler Carr and Bailey Sharp all signed their paperwork on Thursday, according to a release from the school.

By signing their financial aid agreements early, the four Tigers essentially locked in their scholarships, although they could still decide to go elsewhere.

In addition, now the four players can have unlimited contact with the Tigers' coaching staff...

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  Dec 3

Chart: UK has 17 four-star commitments since Stoops took over two years ago. UK had 14 total in previous 11 classes http://bit.ly/11ULbUz

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  3 hours ago
NEW: 2015 defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton commits to Kentucky (includes chart of all 18 commitments) http://bit.ly/1ykAWSc

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  17 hours ago
On the blog: Top UK football recruit Damien Harris will announce his college decision Jan. 9
http://bit.ly/1vYOWEf

Drew Champlin @DrewChamplin  ·  17 hours ago
Alabama 5-star running back target Damien Harris pushes back commitment date  http://ow.ly/Fs0JI

Damien Harris, the country's top-rated running back and a 5-star recruit, has pushed his commitment date back from Dec. 13 to Jan. 9.

The Berea, Ky., native announced the decision on his Twitter feed.

Alabama is strongly in the mix for Harris, who took an official visit to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl and visited unofficially for the Mississippi State game. Harris is the top running back in the 247Sports composite rankings.

Kentucky could be Alabama's top challenger, though Florida, Texas A&M and Ohio State were in his top five earlier this fall.

Harris seemed to enjoy his Alabama official visit, per his Twitter feed, and he is close friends with Alabama quarterback commit Blake Barnett...

Another thing that works in Alabama's favor is that one of his primary recruiters at Kentucky, Neal Brown, is now Troy's head football coach.

Damien Harris @Damien_D1Harris  ·  18 hours ago
I know a lot of people have been asking, but to make everything perfectly clear I'm pushing my decision date back to January 9th.

Damien Harris @Damien_D1Harris  ·  17 hours ago
Hype for this UK game ✔️ #BBN   [Tejas at Kentucky basketball]

Damien Harris @Damien_D1Harris  ·  13 hours ago
Keep firing at me, it doesn't bother me. My opinion won't change.

Damien Harris retweeted
B² @BlakeBarnett_8  ·  12h 12 hours ago
@Damien_D1Harris you're the only one who knows what's best for you! You determine your future and are the only one in your shoes. Do you!! 💯

[jbcarol]

John Talty @JTalty  ·  Dec 5
What's life like for a HS QB in Alabama who dates Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson (@sadierob)? We found out: http://ow.ly/FrnfS

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra @GoVolsXtra  ·  13 hours ago
Brother of Jarnell Stokes gets UT football offer http://ow.ly/FATmO

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  25 minutes ago

.@RyanCallahan247 tells @KNSSportspage that #Vols QB commit Quinten Dormady told him he hasn't had much, if any, contact with Florida.

.@RyanCallahan247 says QD plans to visit Knox this weekend and enroll early. Advises fans not to sweat QD following of McElwain on Twitter

[jbcarol]

Recruiting analyst: Closing 6-game skid did Stoops no favors

Could Kentucky's six straight losses to end the season be a class killer?

Probably not, but they definitely mean Mark Stoops will have to work a little bit harder to lure players to UK, one recruiting analyst said.

"It certainly affects things," said Mike Farrell, national recruiting director for Rivals. "Any sort of losing streak like that to end a season is not going to help recruiting."

In his final sales pitch to players around the country, Stoops can point to a close loss at No. 24 Louisville as a sign of progress, but the coaches recruiting against the Cats are going to point to the string of consecutive losses as six reasons not to go to UK.

"They got off to a good start and didn't finish strong, and other schools are going to use that against them," Farrell said of the Cats' six straight losses by an average of 22 points...

[jbcarol]

Darrin Kirkland Jr. @_KIRKjunior  ·  15 hours ago

Change of plans, commitment day has switched to Monday 12/15, at 4pm, @ my school #Oklahoma #OleMIss #Tennessee #Texas

[jbcarol]

John Talty @JTalty  ·  2 hours ago
One 4-star LB was "speechless" when Auburn hired Will Muschamp. See his and other recruit reactions here: http://ow.ly/FQ6i8

Tre Threat, 4-star 2016 LB from Spanish Fort: "I'm speechless really. The only thing I can say is I'm excited to see what he will bring to the table to the future of Auburn and the Auburn defense."

[jbcarol]

Damien Harris @Damien_D1Harris  ·  20 hours ago
On my way to my very last recruiting visit and my last official! Let's make it a good one 🙌 #BBN #StoopsTroops 🔵⚪️

Visits tend to coincide with big basketball weekends.

[NoNC4Tubs]

John Talty @JTalty  ·  2 hours ago
One 4-star LB was "speechless" when Auburn hired Will Muschamp. See his and other recruit reactions here: http://ow.ly/FQ6i8

The money is flowing on the Plains.......

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  13 hours ago
2016 #1 Ranked Center Drake Jackson picks KENTUCKY over Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. HUGE get for Mark Stoops

[jbcarol]

Joel A. Erickson @JoelAEricksonAU  ·  16 hours ago

Jovon Robinson, nation's top junior college recruit, enrolls at Auburn http://s.al.com/CZ89Nmc

[jbcarol]

Patrick Brown @patrickbrownTFP  ·  1 hour ago

RT @SWiltfong247: Indianapolis Lawrence Central LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. commits to #Tennessee over offers from 36 other schools.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  3 hours ago

Auburn signs Jason Smith, nation's No. 1 JUCO athlete http://ow.ly/G2PNg

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker @wesrucker247  ·  Dec 15
#Vols back in the top 5 of @247Sports Team Recruiting Rankings with big names still on the board: http://bit.ly/1wUpUZ6

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Kirkland — who's ranked the nation's No. 175 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite — helped the Vols jump back in front of Clemson at No. 5 in 247Sports' team rankings.

The Vols also lost longtime commitment Dylan Jackson, a three-star defensive end from Maryville (Tenn.) High School, on Monday. They now have 25 commitments for the 2015 class, including two five-star prospects and eight four-stars in the 247Sports Composite.

[jbcarol]

3-star NOLA Isidore Newman RB Kendall Bussey gave a verbal to Tennessee.

[jbcarol]

Vaughts' Views @vaughtsviews  ·  2 hours ago
Coming up next on WLAP will be @Damien_D1Harris


His biggest concern with UK is their choice to stick with the Air Raid upon hiring the WVU OC.  He wants carries but not 30 per game to protect his NFL stock.

Could wind up being a dime a dozen special teams player.

[jbcarol]

Mark Stoops might be ready to retire the name, but the Kentucky football coach clearly isn't giving up on the "Air Raid" offense.

With the hire of new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson -- a onetime protégée of former UK coach Hal Mumme, who helped popularize the "Air Raid" style of spread offense -- Stoops showed a commitment to the system Neal Brown ran before leaving for the head coaching position at Troy.

But that "Air Raid" moniker? That might be an issue.

"I've got to talk to our marketing people about that," Stoops joked.

Stoops has long stressed balance, and a strong mix of run and pass is critical, he said.

The "Air Raid" needs to hit the ground -- and hit opponents -- running.

"We're never going to become a great defense unless we practice against some physicality every day," Stoops said.

Stoops is also trying to send a message to the nation's top RB recruit Damien Harris who lives 25 miles down the road.  Harris also has Bama and Ohio State among his finalists and noted Sunday that Kentucky's new OC had not contacted him yet but that he expected to be in primary contact with the position coach and Stoops himself.

[jbcarol]

The nation's No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports Composite's 2016 class is set to announce his decision Dec. 31. His finalists are Auburn, California, Penn State and South Carolina.

[jbcarol]

Mike Farrell @rivalsmike  ·  18 hours ago

RB Damien Harris is down to #BBN, #RollTide and #Buckeyes, Jan. 9 decision.

[jbcarol]

Irish Illustrated @PeteSampson_  ·  Dec 29
Arguably ND's top safety target Ben Edwards. RT @Ben_Edwards_: Today I am proud to say that I have committed to Stanford University! #GoCard

Ben Edwards @Ben_Edwards_  ·  Dec 29
I'm sure this time, I promise lol. ⚪️🔴🌲

[jbcarol]

4-star current NEOK (Miami) and former Nashville Overton CB Justin Martin gave a verbal to the Vols.

The John Chavis to Texas A&M news continues to have a ripple effect on LSU recruiting. Today, four-star junior college cornerback Justin Martin has committed to Tennessee and Chavis' departure is a primary factor in that decision.

"I've officially committed to Tennessee," Martin said on Wednesday. "I wanted to go to LSU but then Chavis left to go to Texas A&M."

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  3 hours ago

Blake Barnett feels good about Alabama's chances of landing 5-star RB Damien Harris http://ow.ly/GHYhE

[NoNC4Tubs]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  3 hours ago

Blake Barnett feels good about Alabama's chances of landing 5-star RB Damien Harris http://ow.ly/GHYhE

I thought this thread was just for bobcat, hillbilly and barn recruiting.........?