Breaking down Kentucky football's latest scholarship offers

It’s a busy time of the year for the Kentucky football coaching staff. Aside from constant gameday preparation, they can’t forget the recruiting aspect of their jobs. Through the first month of the 2023 season, the coaches have done an excellent job of divvying up their time to make sure both areas are taken care of. Kentucky is 4-0 on the season and has received commitments from four prospects this month, including a pair of four-star twins. A fifth could be on the way this weekend, too.

But when it comes to recruiting, you always have to plan ahead. That means identifying young talent early and developing relationships as soon as possible. Once again, the staff is checking that box. Kentucky has extended offers to several high schoolers over the last few weeks. Let’s break them all down below.

Got thoughts? Take advantage of our BIG GAME SPECIAL and continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1 or 50% off their first year.

Yannick Smith (’24 WR) 6-3, 190 | Summerville (Summerville, SC)
3-star: No. 1,386 overall, No. 192 WR

• Yannick Smith has been committed to East Carolina since late July, but his recruitment has seen an uptick since his senior season began. Kentucky defensive backs coach Chris Collins offered Smith on Sept. 10 and he is expected to visit Lexington this weekend for the Florida game. South Carolina is also monitoring Smith — he visited the Gamecocks last weekend — as are Miami (FL) and Ole Miss. Smith is considered a low three-star by most recruiting outlets, but that will change as he continues to impress this season.

Trennedy Whatley (’25 ATH) 6-3, 180 | Fayette County (Fayetteville, GA)

• The last month has been huge for Trennedy Whatley, who has hauled in four offers from Kentucky, California, Houston, and Texas Tech since the end of August. Wildcats’ defensive backs coach Chris Collins was the one who extended the scholarship, doing so on Sept. 24. Whatley suits up on both sides of the field for Fayette County (GA). He has nearly 300 yards rushing for three touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving for two more touchdowns. On defense, he’s recorded three interceptions and two pass deflections. Whatley already has intentions to visit UK, although no date has been set just yet.

Dawayne Galloway (’25 ATH) 6-2, 175 | Franklin (Columbus, OH)

• Dawayne Galloway might be the hottest recruit in the country right now. Since Sept. 18, the versatile playmaker has hauled in 15 Division I offers, including ones from the likes of Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Penn State, Michigan, and a few others. Kentucky is the most recent program to offer, having done so on Wednesday. He’ll be a target to monitor moving forward.

Kamari Blair (’26 OT) 6-6, 230 | Kirkwood (Clarksville, TN)

• Already clocking in at 6-foot-6 as a high school sophomore, Kamari Blair now holds three Divison I offers after Kentucky offered on Saturday. New Mexico State was first to offer on August 9 before Eastern Kentucky got involved a day later. Blair was in Lexington to watch the Wildcats’ 28-17 win over EKU earlier this month and earned his offer a few weeks later. He told Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ shortly after receiving the offer that Kentucky is “probably at the top of my list”.

Marcello Vitti (’26 S) 5-10, 170 | Divine Child (Detroit, MI)

• Only a sophomore, Marcello Vitti is on a path to being a national recruit sooner rather than later. He was in Lexington for Kentucky’s win over EKU and left with an offer from associate head coach Vince Marrow. Vitti comes from a family of athletes, his older brother currently playing football at Navy. The likes of Michigan, Penn State (where he unofficially visited over the weekend), and Michigan State have offered, as well. He’s also hearing from the likes of Wisconsin, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, and Arkansas.

Cortez Redding (’26 CB) 6-0, 175 | Jonesboro (Jonesoboro, GA)

• Cortez Redding picked up an offer from Kentucky defensive backs coach Chris Collins on Saturday, adding to his list of scholarships that also includes Auburn, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Arkansas State. Redding visited Clemson over the weekend, too. UK has also offered two of his high school teammates, Jamar Owens and Jontavius Wyman. 

Jontavius Wyman (’26 ATH) 6-0, 160 | Jonesboro (Jonesoboro, GA)

• Speaking of Jontavius Wyman, he earned his Kentucky offer the same day as Redding. But Wyman is drawing more interest at this stage than his teammate. Texas offered him earlier this week, joining the likes of Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, and plenty more. Coach Collins, who is familiar with the state of Georgia, extended this offer, as well. Jonesboro High School is pumping out some quality prospects right now.

Eli Pietrowski (’26 WR) 6-3, 200 | Corbin (Corbin, KY)

• When the Kroger KSR Game of the Week traveled to Corbin earlier this month, all eyes were on the eventual commitments from four-star Smith twins, Jacob and Jerod. But lost in the shuffle was an offer to Corbin pass-catcher Eli Pietrowski, who also holds a scholarship from Eastern Kentucky. He’s listed as a wide receiver but primarily plays tight end. He has four catches for 118 yards and one touchdown so far this season. His father, Tony Pietrowski, is a University of Cumberlands Hall of Fame basketball player and has been the Redhounds boy’s head basketball coach for over 20 years.

Kesean Bowman (’27 WR) 6-1, 160 | Brentwood Academy (Nashville, TN)

• The lone high school freshman on this list, Kesean Bowman holds just two Division I offers, but both are from SEC schools. Ole Miss was first to do so in late July before the Wildcats entered the mix on Sept. 9. Bowman has also visited Georgia Tech and Louisville. Kentucky wide receivers coach Scott Woodward extended the offer.