Football Recruiting Notebook

The Kentucky Wildcats have completed most of their recruiting work in the Class of 2026 but with the early signing period approaching every program wants to make sure they have turned over every stone.

Kentucky is still recruiting a number of players down the stretch in the ’26 recruiting cycle. Some are uncommitted and some are committed to other schools. Some are high schoolers and some hail from the JUCO ranks.

In today’s Football Recruiting Notebook fans have access to the latest on a number of recruitments that are relevant down the stretch.

Kentucky not alone in trying to flip RB Carsyn Baker

Chad Simmons reported yesterday that Kentucky made an impression on Florida running back commitment Carsyn Baker when he officially visited for the Cats’ win against the Gators.

Notably, Baker told Simmons that Kentucky made the stronger play than Ole Miss, which he also visited recently. Now he’s set to take an official visit to North Carolina with Kentucky still a strong option.

Kentucky already has a commitment from running back Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston II but Baker is a very different kind of running back. You probably also have to factor that it seems like Kentucky is going to target a running back out of the portal to replace the outgoing Seth McGowan. UK does return Dante Dowdell and Jason Patterson but in a situation like that most SEC programs will target another potential RB1 especially after a couple of portal evaluations (McGowan, Ray Davis) have gone very well.

Jay Boulware has stayed in constant contact with Baker throughout the recruiting process to one would figure that relationship stands to benefit the Wildcats as the school he is committed to is going through a coaching change.

Kentucky remains an option for OL Tyreek Jemison

Cats Illustrated has remained in regular contact with former Kentucky offensive line commitment Tyreek Jemison. Why? Because offensive line coach Eric Wolford has remained in regular contact with the three-star guard from Georgia.

UGA has been front and center for Jemison in recent weeks. The Bulldogs turned up the heat and Jemison visited Athens this past weekend. He returns again this weekend.

Most will look at this situation and assume UGA is going to land the in-state kid, but Cats Illustrated continues to hear that Kentucky remains a very strong option.

We could see Kentucky adding multiple offensive linemen between now and the start of the early signing period. They are looking at players from both the high school and junior college ranks and offers are still going out. We’ve also heard of some players who are expected to go into the portal who would likely be of interest for Kentucky.

JUCO OT TJ Taylor has UK has a finalist

Cats Illustrated made a mention of JUCO offensive lineman TJ Taylor when Kentucky extended an offer. He told Mike Roach of 247Sports yesterday that Kentucky, SMU, NC State, North Carolina, and Illinois are the five schools he is focused on for the next month leading up to the early signing period.

Cats Illustrated has also reported that Kentucky’s ultimate involvement with Taylor is TBD as there’s a wait on transcripts, but we haven’t heard anything to suggest he won’t be good to go.

We do know there is a desire to hit the JUCO ranks for a number of reasons. Whether the coaches are looking to fill out the roster with practice bodies or find legitimate potential starters to develop for a year or two, or just to balance out the depth chart correctly, these are likely cheaper options than you will find in the transfer portal. The Cats will still have to hit the portal for offensive tackle in particular but this is an area to watch over the next month and not just on the offensive line.

Taylor is the one school out of those that Kentucky hasn’t scheduled an official visit to. That’s noteworthy because it could speak to a hold-up on UK’s end. Then again, there’s something to be said about the fact that Kentucky is still on his list in spite of that.

Taylor is an intriguing possibility because he’s a mid-year enrollee. There’s no guarantee he would be able to take on a starting tackle position next year but it would give the staff several months to look at him and work with him at an important spot where they’ll need to create more competition.

Can Kentucky flip WR Keon Hutchins from WVU?

Just days ago Kentucky extended an offer to JUCO wide receiver Keon Hutchins. He’s committed to West Virginia and the prospect profile prominently includes a reported 4.2-second 40-yard dash.

The Northwest Mississippi C.C. wideout committed to West Virginia at the start of this month but things are moving quickly because of the early signing period and the JUCO recruiting timeline. He will be a mid year enrollee and told WVSports.com that he picked the Mountaineers because of the offensive fit. West Virginia is losing several receivers from this year’s team so there is definitely opportunity there.

Kentucky has an opportunity to make a stronger case to receivers than it has been able to in a long time thanks to the emergence of quarterback Cutter Boley. Kentucky is set to lose several receivers from this year’s team as well and while a couple of younger players have flashed with strong moments or potential there will still be a big need to build the room up.

UK is far from the only program trying to flip Hutchins. Missouri and Illinois offered the WVU commit just before Kentucky did and now Arkansas has offered him, too. So in the end Hutchins’ signature could come down to not only opportunity but emphasis and who decides he is the biggest priority.

JUCO linebacker Taylor Schaefer continues to add offers

Kentucky offered Iowa Central C.C. linebacker Taylor Schaefer last week. At the time he told Cats Illustrated that he was open to setting a visit to Kentucky but nothing was on the calendar yet.

Iowa State, Nebraska, Purdue, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado have all offered Schaefer since Kentucky did. The Wildcats were his second power conference offer after Arkansas so Schaefer has been working through a lot behind the scenes.

Miscellaneous

JUCO defensive lineman KJ Henson is a 6’4, 275-pound three-star prospect at Hutchinson Community College. There was some interest there from Kentucky but he committed to Minnesota earlier this month.

Three-star Texas running back Jett Walker was another back Kentucky’s coaches had some interest in but he committed to Minnesota earlier this month as well.

Alex Valdes is a 6’7, 280-pound Class of 2026 defensive line prospect from Brandon High School in Tampa, Fla., and he transitioned from basketball to football not long ago. He took a visit to WKU recently and is someone on the edge of the radar.

Garrett Stennett is a 6’0, 175-pound defensive back from Pflugerville, Tex., who is a track star and committed to Sam Houston State earlier in the fall. He has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a 35-inch vertical, and a 9’8″ broad jump. He’s another high school prospect on the radar.

Georgia Military College is home to 6’5, 345-pound defensive tackle Treveon Campbell, a December graduate. He has smaller school offers but could fill a niche in a defense like Kentucky’s so has been on the grid.

Naples (Fla.) St. John Neumann defensive lineman Frederic Sainteus (6’5, 255 pounds) is a Rivals-graded three-star (88) and the No. 52 defensive lineman in the class. He has been committed to Miami since September. We haven’t heard anything about Sainteus wavering but he is someone there was some interest in from Kentucky.

Class of 2026 December graduate Keel Lawrence from Arkansas committed to Temple just a few days ago. He was also on the grid as a nickel/corner prospect.

Jonas Muya is a first year football player at Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers and he’s drawing major interest. He picked up an offer from Tennessee recently and took a trip to Knoxville to see the Volunteers. He has been to Minnesota and is also talking about taking trips to West Virginia and Minnesota. He’s someone Kentucky is aware of but we haven’t heard of too much movement yet. The 6’7, 280-pound line prospect hails from the Congo and has immense upside even if a lot is untapped.