Drew's Domino Effect
OK, maybe not 30,000 dominoes.
There has been a recent debate in the sports talk world over whose commitment would be more important, Andrew Wiggins or Drew Barker? For those that believe in Barker, their best supporting argument is the type of players that would commit, following a Pro-UK Barker decision. Here are a few important pieces in the Class of 2014 that could quickly follow Barker to UK.
Matt Elam: 3-Star DT
The 6'6 342 lb Giant from John Hardin is the state's best prospect behind Barker. His size and skills have attracted the attention from SEC-powerhouses Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, but after "Sweatshirt-Gate" the big boy is in a hot competition between UK and UL. Receiving a commitment from Barker will probably not speed up the DT's decision, but it can do nothing but help Neal Brown get both the #1 and #2 players in the state to wear blue.
Derek Kief: 4-Star WR
Kief is the marquee receiver that could create a fantastic combo for the Cats after a Barker commitment. Kief already has one UK connection- he is a year younger than his La Salle High School teammate and future UK CB Jaleel Hytchye- to complement the relationship he has developed with Barker and other UK recruits from Ohio. Even with Kentucky connections, the Cats remain a darkhorse when competing with Urban Meyer of Ohio State and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame. Barker could become a key recruiting tool for the Cats to gain the #37 WR in the nation, that towers at 6 ft 5 inches tall while still running a 4.5 40 yard dash.
Darius West: 3-Star Safety
Vince Marrow is hot on the Ohio safety's tail, attempting to keep the highly-touted recruit from pledging his services to the Dirty Birds. Vanderbilt and West Virginia are also in consideration, but after visiting UK's Spring Game it appears that West is now stuck between the Cats and the Cards. West is a player in the mix that Dorian Hendrix subtly mentioned the weekend of Mikel Horton's commitment, "#BBN we may have a few surprises this weekend but im gonna stay quiet. Just know they're some of the best in the Midwest Region. #RISE". Barker's commitment may be the last piece of convincing evidence for West.
Mike Edwards: 3-Star Safety
Edwards' recruitment took a strange turn a few weeks back when he planned on making an apparent pro-UK announcement, until his high school coach encouraged him to delay the decision. Since then he has picked up offers from Wisconsin and Ohio, but Kentucky remains in his crosshairs. His mother may be the most important factor in his decision; the good news is that both Edwards and his mother plan on visiting campus in the next few weeks. A high-profile commitment combined with a convinced mother should be enough for Edwards to end his roller coaster recruitment.
Matt Elam: 3-Star DT
The 6'6 342 lb Giant from John Hardin is the state's best prospect behind Barker. His size and skills have attracted the attention from SEC-powerhouses Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, but after "Sweatshirt-Gate" the big boy is in a hot competition between UK and UL. Receiving a commitment from Barker will probably not speed up the DT's decision, but it can do nothing but help Neal Brown get both the #1 and #2 players in the state to wear blue.
Derek Kief: 4-Star WR
Kief is the marquee receiver that could create a fantastic combo for the Cats after a Barker commitment. Kief already has one UK connection- he is a year younger than his La Salle High School teammate and future UK CB Jaleel Hytchye- to complement the relationship he has developed with Barker and other UK recruits from Ohio. Even with Kentucky connections, the Cats remain a darkhorse when competing with Urban Meyer of Ohio State and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame. Barker could become a key recruiting tool for the Cats to gain the #37 WR in the nation, that towers at 6 ft 5 inches tall while still running a 4.5 40 yard dash.
Darius West: 3-Star Safety
Vince Marrow is hot on the Ohio safety's tail, attempting to keep the highly-touted recruit from pledging his services to the Dirty Birds. Vanderbilt and West Virginia are also in consideration, but after visiting UK's Spring Game it appears that West is now stuck between the Cats and the Cards. West is a player in the mix that Dorian Hendrix subtly mentioned the weekend of Mikel Horton's commitment, "#BBN we may have a few surprises this weekend but im gonna stay quiet. Just know they're some of the best in the Midwest Region. #RISE". Barker's commitment may be the last piece of convincing evidence for West.
Mike Edwards: 3-Star Safety
Edwards' recruitment took a strange turn a few weeks back when he planned on making an apparent pro-UK announcement, until his high school coach encouraged him to delay the decision. Since then he has picked up offers from Wisconsin and Ohio, but Kentucky remains in his crosshairs. His mother may be the most important factor in his decision; the good news is that both Edwards and his mother plan on visiting campus in the next few weeks. A high-profile commitment combined with a convinced mother should be enough for Edwards to end his roller coaster recruitment.
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