Kiyaunta Goodwin leads Kentucky recruits in ESPN's 2022 rankings

by: Mrs. Tyler Thompson04/08/21@MrsTylerKSR

(Hayes Fawcett)

Four-star offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin will announce his college decision on April 17, and this morning, got another boost in the recruiting rankings. Goodwin, a Louisville native, went from unranked to No. 76 in the ESPN 300 for the 2022 class. ESPN’s recruiting evaluators Tom Luginbill and Craig Haubert even included the 6’7″ 310 lbs. giant on their list of 12 recruits to know.

The 6-foot-7, 310-pound Goodwin has become one of the more highly coveted offensive tackles in the class since the beginning of the 2020 season. He has elite ability to fire off the ball low at his height. In pass protection, Goodwin flashes very good body quickness and foot quickness to react to sudden change of direction. Ohio State, Kentucky, Alabama and Clemson are among the leaders to land the high-ceiling prospect.

Goodwin is also considering Michigan State. Kentucky was the first Power 5 school to offer him back in July 2017, and if he commits, he’ll be the highest-ranked recruit of the Mark Stoops Era. If you’re keeping track at home, here’s where Goodwin ranks according to all of the services:

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

ESPN: No. 76 overall
247 Sports: No. 54 overall, No. 6 OT
247 Sports Composite (all rankings combined): No. 47 overall, No. 5 OT
Rivals: No. 54 overall, No. 8 OT

Last night, 247 Sports Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong updated his prediction for Goodwin, picking him to go to Kentucky with a confidence level of 8/10. Other UK targets in the ESPN 300: Tennessee twins Keaten and Destin Wade (No. 189 and No. 280), Aamil Wagner (No. 102), Jaron Willis (No. 140), Gavin Wimsatt (No. 171), Dane Key (No. 202), Alex VanSumeren (No. 203), and Antonio Gates Jr. (No. 283). The Wade twins announce their college decision on Friday, April 16, one day before Goodwin.

Kentucky has five commitments in the 2022 class: Grant Bingham (4-star OT), Jeremiah Caldwell (4-star, ATH), Treyveon Longmire (3-star, ATH), Andre Stewart (3-star, CB), and Jackson Smith, the top-ranked kicker in the country, who announced he will attend Kentucky on KSR this morning.