Kentucky has the best recruiting class in the Big East

It is no secret what Mark Stoops has done in his short time as head coach at Kentucky is truly amazing. The recruiting class he has built in just two months ranks as one of the best classes in UK history, ranking No. 28 nationally according to Rivals. Since 2007, Kentucky’s class hasn’t finished any better than No. 41 overall, and the two lowest classes in that time have come over the previous two seasons, in 2011 (No. 61) and 2012 (No. 62). Despite the 28th-ranked class falling near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference, the skill gap has closed dramatically. Take a look at where Kentucky would rank in any other conference: SEC: 13th best Ahead of only Missouri (49th) Pac 12: 5th best Behind UCLA (9th), USC (13th), Washington (17th), and Oregon (21st). ACC: 5th best Behind Florida State (11th), Clemson (14th), Virginia Tech (22nd), and Virginia (27th). Big XII: 4th best Behind Oklahoma (15th), Texas (23rd), and West Virginia (24th). Big Ten: 4th best Behind Ohio State (2nd), Michigan (6th), and Nebraska (17th). Big East: THE best Kentucky would have the best class in the Big East. Louisville’s class is ranked No. 57. Adjusting the national recruiting class rankings based on average recruit quality (total number of stars divided by the number of recruits), Kentucky’s class is as good as or better than four teams ranked ahead of it. If you want to use the Cats 3.05 average recruit ranking compared to others, Kentucky has the 24th best class in the nation. Just behind Texas… Like, the Texas Longhorns. The potential for this class to grow even more is still possible, with a few surprises likely still in store. Four-star linebacker James Hearns is waiting a couple more days before signing, and four-star defensive tackle Tevin Lawson may flip from his commitment to LSU this weekend. We Are UK.