4-star '25 LB Elijah Melendez loved "everything" about visit to Kentucky
Kentucky football is preparing for a massive weekend of official visitors beginning on Friday, but the staff still made time for a talented unofficial visitor in the days leading up.
Class of 2025 linebacker Elijah Melendez spent the last few days at the University of Kentucky, beginning his unofficial visit on Tuesday before heading back home to the Sunshine State on Thursday afternoon. He was treated to the full UK experience during his first trip to Lexington, touring the campus and facilities, going through workouts, talking with current Wildcats, and, of course, doing a photo shoot in full Kentucky gear.
Melendez, who clocks in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, is already considered a four-star recruit and a top 300 rising junior in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He checks all the physical boxes of an SEC-level linebacker.
The Kissimmee (FL) Osceola product raved about his midweek stay at UK.
“I love everything,” Melendez told KSR about Kentucky after his visit wrapped up on Thursday. “It’s blue just like my high school. That was my first offer. The coaching staff never really changes, they’re really loyal to their players, they show a lot of love, it’s a good relationship bond, it’s somewhere I can see myself living after college. Great city, great weather, great fanbase, great things to do around the university. Everything about it — the players, the bonds, the families, the stuff they do, the chemistry they have. Everything.”
Kentucky extended Melendez his first Divison I scholarship back in February, which kickstarted his still-blossoming recruitment. “That’s the reason why I’m where I’m at right now,” he added.
Melendez has actually been talking with members of the Wildcats’ coaching staff for roughly a year now. Inside linebackers coach Mike Stoops and defensive backs coach Chris Collins stay in touch with him the most. He also hears from head coach Mark Stoops from time to time.
“Just development, how they can make me better,” Melendez says of his conversations with Mike Stoops. “He just wants me to keep progressing, just telling me good tips. Telling me to keep going, just don’t settle.”
Since Kentucky offered roughly five months ago, Melendez’s recruitment has taken off. He now holds offers from the likes of Miami (FL), Florida, Auburn, Colorado, Tennesse, Mississippi State, Georgia, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Central Florida, LSU, South Carolina, and plenty more.
“I got almost every SEC offer right now. Really just blew up recently since March and on,” Melendez said. “Just enjoying it and trying to get to that number one spot and keep improving when I’m at the number one spot. I want to be the greatest ever.”
Kentucky being his first offer plays a notable role in his recruitment. The staff sees him as a Will linebacker that they can develop into a Mike. He already has plans to return to Lexington this fall for a gameday visit. But before he can even sit down to think that far ahead, he has a busy month of June left to finish off.
Melendez will head to Central Florida on Friday, Auburn on June 13, Alabama on June 14, Texas A&M on June 20, and then finish off his run of visits at Oklahoma on June 23. He specifically mentioned the likes of Auburn, Texas A&M, Colorado, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky among the schools he’s talking with the most at this stage.
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