Alabama EDGE Justyn Hartley commits to Kentucky
Things have been very quiet on the recruiting trail for the Kentucky football program since July. That changed last week when high three-star offensive lineman Tyreek Jemison decommitted from Kentucky. But UK’s first addition to the 2026 class came just one week after losing jemison.
Justyn Hartley is the third Alabama native to join Kentucky’s recruiting haul. The Hoover (Ala.) High senior immediately committed to the Cats after receiving a scholarship offer this week.
Defensive coordinator Brad White and defensive line coach Anwar Stewart were leading this recruitment. Justyn Hartley recorded 75 tackles and nine sacks as a junior. The unranked prospect had only reported FCS offers to this point. Kentucky is now on the board at outside linebacker in the class.
Kentucky currently has 15 commitments just under two months from the early signing period.
Kentucky’s 2026 high school recruiting class
| Player | Position | High School | Ranking |
| Matt Ponatoski | QB (6-2, 190) | Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller | 4-star (No. 238 overall) |
| Messiah Tilson | S (6-2, 165) | Rockford (Ill.) Guilford | 4-star (No. 322 overall) |
| Jordan Crutchfield | CB (6-2, 195) | Vero Beach (Fla.) High | High 3-star (No. 426 overall) |
| Denairius Gray | WR (6-1, 170) | Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna | High 3-star (No. 442 overall) |
| Dallas Dickerson | WR (6-1, 180) | Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee | High 3-star (No. 547 overall) |
| Ben Duncum | DL (6-5, 250) | Austin (Texas) Lake Travis | 3-star (No. 621 overall) |
| Lincoln Watkins | TE (6-4, 225) | Port Huron (Mich.) Northern | 3-star (No. 627 overall) |
| Garrett Witherington | DL (6-4, 290) | Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian | 3-star (No. 846 overall) |
| Isaiah McMillian | CB (6-0, 170) | Katy (Texas) High | 3-star (No. 888 overall) |
| Prince Jean | WR (6-0, 170) | Valdosta (Ga) High | 3-star (No. 995 overall) |
| Cameron Miller | T (6-5, 310) | Hammond (Ind.) Morton | 3-star (No. 1,022) overall) |
| Max Mohring | LB (6-3, 215) | Malvern (Pa.) Prep | 3-star (No. 1,108 overall) |
| Davis McCray | WR (6-2, 190) | San Antonio (Texas) Cornerstone Christian | 3-star (No. 1,232 overall) |
| Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston II | RB (6-0, 200) | Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville | 3-star (No. 1,344 overall) |
| Justyn Hartley | EDGE (6-2, 215) | Hoover (Ala.) High | Unranked |
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