Kentucky is a Finalist for 4-Star DL Kendrick Gilbert

Kentucky is closing in on a talented defensive lineman, one of the best in the region. Wednesday afternoon four-star prospect Kendrick Gilbert unveiled his final four: Kentucky, LSU, Purdue and Iowa.

Final 4! pic.twitter.com/UKRtCpiWMS

— Kendrick Gilbert (@Kcgilbert23) June 29, 2022

The rising senior at Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral is the No. 362 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Gilbert officially visited all four of his finalists in June. After wrapping a visit to Iowa City, he shared with On3’s Billy Embody that he plans on announcing a commitment this summer, prior to the start of his final high school football season. If he pulls the trigger in July, the Wildcats appear to be in an excellent position.

Gilbert has traveled to Lexington three times since last October. Recently 247’s Josh Edwards picked Kentucky to land the talented lineman. Even though Brian Kelly’s staff has probably been recruiting Gilbert longer than anyone, the Wildcats hold a slight edge over Iowa and Purdue in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Kentucky already has one defensive lineman on board in the 2023 recruiting class, Boyle County’s Tommy Ziesmer. The in-state athlete fits best on the interior of Anwar Stewart’s defensive line. Gilbert, a 6-foot-5, 270-pounder, can add some much needed length to the edge of UK’s 3-4, the same scheme he has excelled in at Cathedral.