Vince Marrow claims Louisville has recruiting in Ohio, Kentucky 'locked down'

Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was introduced as Kentucky‘s newest head coach on Wednesday afternoon. It was a hire that came together quickly.

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.”

Vince Marrow continues to ‘lock down’ in-state players at Louisville

On Thursday, however, Louisville Executive Director of Football Personnel and Recruiting Vince Marrow fired a shot. He promised that the Cards would continue to ‘lock down’ players from the states of Kentucky and Ohio.

Good luck recruiting Ohio and Kentucky. I love recruiting all states for we have done very well in florida and other places. When it comes to Ohio and Kentucky we will continue to locked them down. Let’s go.

— CoachMarrow (@vincemarrow) December 4, 2025

“Good luck recruiting Ohio and Kentucky,” Marrow wrote on X. “I love recruiting all states for we have done very well in florida and other places. When it comes to Ohio and Kentucky we will continue to locked them down. Let’s go.”

Marrow was previously at Kentucky under former head coach Mark Stoops from 2013-2024, but departed for the rival Cardinals prior to the 2025 season. In Marrow’s first season on staff under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville shut out the ‘Cats 41-0 last Saturday. This loss was the final nail in Stoops’ coaching tenure in Lexington.

Louisville hauled in six of the Top 12 recruits from the state of Kentucky in the Class of 2026. It was a massive difference from Kentucky signing four of the top-nine recruits from the state in the 2025 Class.

Will Stein will have to move fast this cycle in order to compete with his alma mater, as Kentucky currently boasts the No. 61-ranked recruiting class in 2026. Not one of its 14 committed recruits hails from in-state.