Will Stein on recruiting area: 'When Kentucky's at its best, the best players from this state play for Wildcats'

Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was introduced as Kentucky‘s newest head coach Wednesday afternoon at the Nutter Field House in Lexington.

During his introductory press conference, Stein was asked about navigating high school recruiting, while also using the Transfer Portal. The former Louisville quarterback sent a powerful message, claiming that Kentucky is at its best when the best players from the state play for the Wildcats.

“I think it all starts at the high school ranks,” Stein said about the importance of recruiting. “I really do. The first thing we have to win is Kentucky. Win this state. When Kentucky’s at its best, the best players from this state play for the Wildcats. It always starts in high school, and then you build your roster out and manage it according to your numbers and where your needs are.”

“The Portal is a great supplemental tool, but it’s not the end-all-be-all. But I’d like to think it always starts with high school ranks. That’s where your real development happens and your retention happens. That’s where you get to know these people the best; their parents and the people that matter to them. And they want to stay at your University longer.”

Bringing in players from the state will be a strong area of pursuit for Stein and his staff, as this has not been the case in recent memory. Louisville has hauled in five of the top-12 recruits (Class of 2026) in the state of Kentucky, while the Wildcats have not signed one. In the Class of 2025, Kentucky brought in four of the top-26 in-state recruits, while Louisville brought in five.

As Kentucky surpassed Louisville as the most successful in-state program near the end of the 2010s, many in-state players contributed to the Wildcats’ success. A few of these contributors included EDGE J.J. Weaver (Moore), center Eli Cox (West Jessamine), and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (Western Hills).

Stein, a native of Louisville, KY, had been the Ducks play-caller for the past three seasons. Although he is assuming duties at Kentucky, he will continue to call plays for Oregon throughout the College Football Playoff. At the helm in Lexington, he’ll look to return the Wildcats to their winning ways under former head coach Mark Stoops in the late 2010s-early 2020s, as they made eight consecutive bowl game appearances from 2016-2023.