4-star safety Michael Daugherty includes Kentucky in Top 8

While we were all preparing to go back for our second plate of Thanksgiving grub, a four-star football recruit made a significant announcement in his still-young recruitment process. Michael Daugherty, a four-star safety out of Grayson High School (GA), is now down to just eight potential college destinations, and the Kentucky Wildcats made the cut.

Already considered a consensus top 200 player in the country, Daugherty projects to be an elite prospect from the class of 2023. Just a high school junior, the 6-foot, 170-pounder also included Louisville, Oregon, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, North Carolina, and Southern California in his top eight.

He made the announcement on Thursday afternoon.

Glory To The Most High, Still 100% Open-Minded to all Opportunities, but my commitment date is set. 6/22/22 it is. Salute to my Father! 💯 pic.twitter.com/ZLrmQZPY3T

— The Golden Child 👼🏾 Michael Daugherty (@mikeygmaco) November 25, 2021

Daugherty recently spoke with Hayes Fawcett of On3 to break down his top eight. Here’s what the prospect out of Loganville, GA had to say about Kentucky:

“Kentucky is another place close to family like Louisville,” Daugherty told On3. “Coach (Chris) Collins is one of the few coaches that have actually sat me down and explained his views on where I would fit and be a part of the Kentucky family in a way.”

Daugherty has taken game visits this season to Tennessee, Louisville (he has family members from the city of Louisville), Auburn, Clemson, and Georgia. According to Cole Pinkston of AuburnLive, there is a “high chance” that Daugherty is back in Auburn this weekend for the Iron Bowl matchup against Alabama.

While he has yet to make it to Lexington this season for a game visit, Daugherty was on campus over the summer. He also took summer camp visits to the likes of Florida, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, and Southern California.