Avery Stuart: Kentucky Gaining Momentum Ahead of 4-Star DB's Decision

It was not exactly a banner recruiting weekend for the Kentucky football program. Over the three-day holiday weekend the Wildcats were runners-up in the pursuit of three top 500 players that ultimately chose to play for other SEC programs. Needing some good news, that could happen right away when Avery Stuart announces his college decision.

Stuart is a four-star prospect from Montgomery, Al. He’s ranked as the No. 222 player in the country according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is the No. 14 safety in the On300 rankings.

Kentucky Makes Final Push for Stuart

There are three finalists in Avery Stuart’s recruitment: Auburn, Florida State and Kentucky. The latter two are going toe-to-toe before he announces his decision tomorrow, July 6.

Stuart took official visits Lexington and Tallahassee in June, with the Seminoles securing the most recent OV. Florida State appeared to have an edge over UK’s Frank Buffano, until the Fourth of July holiday weekend. A Florida State beat reporter for 247 Sports joined Steve Wiltfong by submitting a Kentucky Crystal Ball pick on July 4. Wiltfong has a 97% hit rate in the 2023 recruiting class. Following the predictions, KSR did some digging. I have submitted a pick with 60% confidence in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine for Kentucky. Additionally, all of the Rivals recruiting analysts covering his recruitment have placed UK predictions for Stuart.

The Wildcats’ 2023 recruiting class ranks No. 58 in the country and at the bottom of the SEC. Searching for some momentum on the recruiting trail, adding a talent like Avery Stuart can get the ball moving in the right direction before a few more important recruits make formal announcements: Koby Keenum, Kendrick Gilbert and Anthony Brown. Losing Cristian Conyer to Tennessee won’t sting so badly if Stuart gets on board to become the second-highest ranked player in the Wildcats’ recruiting class.