Ja'Kobi Albert, 4-Star Athlete, Flips from Auburn to Kentucky
Prospects are flipping faster than pancakes on the Big Blue Wall. Last weekend Ja’Kobi Albert was an Auburn commit. Today he is a Kentucky signee.
A 5-foot-10, 187 pound four-star prospect from Fairfield, Al., Albert is ranked as the No. 18 athlete in the country, according to the On3 Consensus. His recruiting ranking is impressive, but not as eye-opening as his National Signing Day decision.
How Kentucky Flipped Albert
Jon Sumrall’s legacy is alive well in Lexington. The lead recruiter for Albert, Kentucky’s former linebackers coach hosted the two-way athlete for an unofficial visit to camp with the Cats over the summer. Albert’s family left with a positive impression, yet he still committed to nearby Auburn a few weeks later.
Despite the initial decision, Sumrall continued to recruit the four-star athlete and brought other UK coaches into the mix. Even after Sumrall accepted the head coaching position at Troy, Albert agreed to officially visit Kentucky on the final recruiting weekend of the year. That trip sealed the deal for the Wildcats.
What Albert Brings to the BBN
Kentucky put an emphasis on speed when searching for athletes in this recruiting class. Albert has the speed and skills to excel at wide receiver or in the secondary.
Which position he will play is debatable. What is not in question is his fearlessness. His hands attack receptions with the same aggressiveness he uses to tackle players in the open field. What’s even more remarkable is his leaping ability. Don’t let his size cast any doubts. Albert high points footballs and makes 50/50 plays. The Cats got a great one, one of the bests in the 2020 recruiting class.
Enjoy his midseason highlights that open with a game-winning Hail Mary.
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