Kentucky is making strong 2023 recruiting push in Alabama
With Jon Sumrall on the Kentucky coaching staff, the Wildcats began to make some noise on the recruiting trail in the south. Beginning in the class of 2020, Sumrall was the lead recruiter for a pair of strong pulls getting Josaih Hayes out of Mississippi and D’Eryk Jackson from South Georgia.
That success continued in 2021 as Kentucky dipped back into South Georgia to land Chauncey Magwood, Martez Thrower, and Trevin Wallace. However, that year we saw Sumrall start to make some noise in his home state.
Kentucky went into Metro Birmingham and got a commitment from four-star wide receiver Chris Lewis along with a signature from three-star defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders. That momentum carried into the 2022 class.
Kentucky was able to flip Kobi Albert from Auburn, and expectations are high for the true freshman. Despite Sumrall leaving to take over the Troy program, Kentucky is seeing some more success recruiting the state of Alabama.
Currently, the Wildcats are very much in the hunt for a trio of top-250 prospects in Alabama as Kentucky continues to try and make some noise in The Yellowhammer State.
Buzz is building with Karmello English
Karmello English is a four-star wide receiver at Phenix City (Ala.) Central who is emerging as a premium target for Kentucky. Ranked No. 124 overall in the On3 Consensus, English is the exact type of player the program needs to land on the recruiting trail to continue its rise in the SEC.
However, Auburn has appeared to be the favorite for the versatile wideout, but Kentucky is making a strong push.
Earlier this month, English revealed that Kentucky has made his top five, and he followed that with a visit just over a week later. During his visit, English was featured in a crafty video that almost looked like he was going to say “committed” at some point.
As of now, Kentucky is in the hunt and should have a great shot at getting English on campus for an official visit this summer or fall.
Kentucky is battling for Avery Stuart
Avery Stuart is a four-star defensive back out of Montgomery (Ala.) Alabama Christian Academy who ranks just outside of the top 200. The 6-foot-2 prospect released a top 13 in March and Kentucky was on the list. Stuart then followed that up with a visit to Kentucky for the last weekend in March.
Kentucky safeties coach Frank Buffano is running point in this recruitment and Kentucky seems to have a solid chance as the summer approaches.
Another list made
On Monday, four-star safety DaKarri Nelson released his top six schools with a decision coming soon. Kentucky was joined by Auburn, Clemson, Penn State, Tennessee, and Oregon. According to the defensive back, the Wildcats have been aggressively recruiting him.
“Kentucky made it because of how hard they’ve been recruiting me and how much effort they put into recruiting me,” Nelson said when asked why Kentucky made the list.
The Selma (Ala.) High safety has terrific size (6-3, 194) and could grow into a role as a hybrid Sam/Nickel player that is being used by many college defenses today.
Kentucky continues to make some noise in Alabama. The Wildcats have a chance to land some big-time recruits in 2023.
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