Kentucky Football Tuesday afternoon recruiting updates

ZGeogheganKSR

Time for our weekly recruiting update presented by our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

Good afternoon, folks. We’ve entered that time of the year where not much is happening in the world of Kentucky Athletics. But fear not! Recruiting season never ends. Over the last few days, the Wildcat coaching staff has identified several prospects worthy of a scholarship opportunity while bringing in a pair of youngsters for an unofficial visit. We’ll talk more about them below along with notes on local rising star Jamarrion Harkless and a potential commitment from the transfer portal.

Let’s dive in.

Targets offered

Jaylen McClain (S; 2024) 6-0, 180 pounds | West Orange (NJ) Seton Hall Prep
4-star, No. 244 overall

One of the most talented defensive backs in the sophomore class, Jaylen McClain received his offer from Kentucky on Monday as his recruitment has seen a steady rise over the last several weeks. In just the month of April alone, the New Jersey product has picked up offers from Pittsburgh, Michigan, Michigan State, and UK while also taking visits to Georgia, Rutgers, and Syracuse. Penn State and Texas A&M have also offered. Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White extended the offer.

Conrad Hussey (S; 2023) 6-0, 190 pounds | Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas
3-star, No. 447 overall

Another highly-ranked defensive back is junior safety Conrad Hussey, who also earned his Kentucky offer on Monday, this one coming from new inside linebackers coach Mike Stoops. Hussey is coming off visits to Colorado, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Penn State while Mississippi State has also extended an offer. He doubles as a track star.

Olsen Patt Henry (TE; 2023) 6-4, 210 pounds | Naples (FL) First Baptist Academy

Sticking in Florida, currently unranked tight end Olsen Patt Henry won’t stay that way for long after the month he’s had. Kentucky’s associate head coach Vince Marrow offered on Monday, as did South Carolina. Previously, Henry received scholarships from Oklahoma and Alabama. He also took visits to Florida and Minnesota in recent weeks. As a junior, he caught 61 passes for 17 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards. An offer from Nick Saban and the Tide usually changes the recruitment process quite a bit.

Tayshawn Banks (CB; 2024) 5-11, 165 pounds | Cincinnati (OH) Taft

The Kentucky staff is no stranger to visiting Taft up in nearby Cincinnati, and they have their eyes on another potential prospect from the high school in Tayshawn Banks. Kentucky was actually his first Divison I offer, which came from Marrow on April 16. It didn’t take long for another school to get involved though, as Purdue extended an offer on Tuesday.

Recent visitors

Dorian Brew (WR; 2025) 6-3, 175 pounds | Clayton (OH) Northmont

Dorian Brew is one of two freshman visitors that were in Lexington on Monday. Coach Marrow extended Brew his first-ever Divison I scholarship back in late January and Brew has continued to build a relationship with Kentucky through safeties coach Frank Buffano. Toledo offered shortly after UK did.

Judd Taylor (OL; 2025) 6-4, 265 pounds | Strawberry Plains (TN) Carter

The second known freshman on campus was Judd Taylor, who doesn’t hold any Divison I offers as of right now. That being said, a connection with Kentucky and a strong showing at upcoming camps could help put him on the map. He has plenty of time to develop, too, and could be a prospect to monitor moving forward.

Other recruiting notes

Two four-star offensive linemen from the class of 2023 are on the brink of making a college decision. At one point, both were on the Big Board for Kentucky, but now neither expect to choose the ‘Cats. Luke Brown out of Paris, TN will make his announcement later on Tuesday night around 5:30 p.m. EST with all signs pointing toward him landing with Arkansas. Meanwhile, another Tennessee product, Brycen Sanders, recently set a commitment date for June 23. Kentucky was once heavily in the mix, but Sanders will choose between LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss. Missing out on both isn’t detrimental to the future of the Big Blue Wall, but the options on the offensive line from the class of 2023 are dwindling. UK has just one OL commit for the class of 2023 in Madison Central’s Malachi Wood.
Frederick Douglass defensive lineman Jamarrion Harkless has been hauling in offers left and right since Georgia came calling last week. He’s since picked up scholarships from Auburn, Michigan, Louisville, LSU, and Kentucky while also taking a visit to Louisville. He’s now considered a three-star prospect by the On3 Consensus. Coach Marrow is taking the lead in this recruitment. Expect to hear Harkless’ name a lot over the next year or so.
To close us out, word on the street is that Ole Miss transfer Keidron Smith could pop his announcement at any time this week. The 6-foot-2 cornerback recently wrapped up his final official visit over the weekend (Virginia Tech) and a decision is expected sooner rather than later. Kentucky is considered the favorite as he comes down the final stretch, but Virginia Tech, Missouri, and Indiana are all in the mix.

Learn more about Andy Luedecke and franchise ownership through these resources:
Andy’s Story
Why a Franchise
Service Based vs Brick and Mortar
Semi Absentee Ownership
The Process and How It works

e: [email protected]

Book time with Andy: Andy’s Calendar