KSR's National Signing Day HQ
Welcome to National Signing Day at Kentucky Sports Radio. Today Mark Stoops can sign the highest ranked recruiting class in school history with up to 20 football prospects putting pen to paper to join the Kentucky football team. We will keep you updated right here as each fax arrives at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.
Kentucky will begin announcing the first official additions to the 2022 recruiting class, expected to finish near the Top 15, around 7:30 am. Stoops and Vince Marrow will speak with the media from Kroger Field at 3 pm. The two may also appear on KSR Radio between 10-Noon. Liam Coen and other assistants are slated to hop on Kentucky Roll Call after 8 am. On National Signing Day things are fluid, but here is a tentative schedule of commitments, potential flips and UK commits expected to sign.
Uncommitted Players
- DT Deone Walker: Kentucky beat out Michigan
- CB Zahquan Frazier: UK, UTSA or Utah, TBA
- WR Tayvion Robinson: The Virginia Tech transfer has made it official
Flip Watch
- OT Kiyaunta Goodwin: Five-star OT sticks with Kentucky despite a late push from Michigan State
- OT Jalen Farmer: Florida commit; does not appear to be signing today
- ATH Ja’Kobi Albert: The four-star athlete flipped from Auburn to Kentucky
- CB DeCarlos Nicholson: Mississippi State flipped the junior college cornerback
- ATH Alex Afari: Kentucky beats out the Bearcats
Commits Expected to Sign with UK
Faxes will be sent in the morning, followed by formal ceremonies later in the day.
- WR Barion Brown
- Edge Tyreese Fearbry
- Edge Keaten Wade
- ATH Destin Wade
- WR Dane Key
- OT Grant Bingham
- K/P Jackson Smith
- OT Nikolas Hall
- TE Josh Kattus
- WR Brandon White
- WR Jordan Anthony
- CB Andre Stewart
- DL Quentel Jones
- DL Tomiwa Durojaiye
- CB Elijah Reed
For a national perspective, follow On3’s National Signing Day Thread.
6:16 pm (Zack): In what could be the final addition of today’s Signing Day bonanza, JUCO cornerback Zah Frazier announced his commitment to Kentucky. He’s an excellent replacement piece for the loss of DeCarlos Nicholson, another JUCO cornerback who flipped from UK to Mississippi State earlier in the day.
Zahquan “Zah” Frazier
Position/Height/Weight: Cornerback, 6-4, 185 lbs.
Hometown/School: Cedartown (GA), Coffeyville C.C. (JUCO)
247 JUCO Ranking: 3-star, No. 10, No. 2 S
About Frazier: The Wildcats almost missed out on adding much-needed length to the secondary. Luckily, Chris Collins developed a relationship with the top junior college prospect. He visited UTSA and Utah before he was sold on UK on the final weekend of the open recruiting period.
5:28 pm (Tyler): As expected, the Wade Twins completed their signing ceremony at Summit High School after sending their paperwork in earlier today. Kentucky has now announced them as official signees.
5:10 pm (Tyler): THE BIG ONE IS IN. Five-star OT Kiyaunta Goodwin is sticking with his pledge to the University of Kentucky, picking the Cats over the Michigan State Spartans.
Kiyaunta Goodwin
Position/Height/Weight: Offensive Tackle, 6-8, 325 lbs.
Hometown/School: Louisville (KY), Charlestown (IN)
On3 Consensus Ranking: 5-star, No. 19, No. 2 OT
About Goodwin: This is the big one. Kentucky weathered the late storm by Michigan State and Vince Marrow secured the highest-ranked player in school history. Recruited by the Big Dog since he was a seventh-grader, the lengthy relationship with Goodwin and his mentor, Chris Vaughn, paid off on signing day. A generational talent, Goodwin has all of the tools to become a future first round NFL Draft pick. Now it’s Eric Wolford’s turn to unleash the blue chip player’s potential. Goodwin is expected to be on campus in January as an early enrollee.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Monstrous recruiting win for Vince Marrow. Potentially a plug and play, year-one contributor at tackle. Elite positional size and arm length. Effort and want-to matches potential, lost over 100-pounds and gained strength/agility working with Chris Vaughn at Aspirations Gym. Can play right or left tackle. The powerful offensive lineman needs a high number of reps and positional, on-field development. Goodwin has been linked with Kentucky for many years. He’s now a Wildcat.
4:45 pm (Tyler): You can watch Kiyaunta Goodwin’s announcement (or whatever happens) via the CBS Sports HQ stream below:
4:40 pm (Tyler): We are 20 minutes away from Kiyaunta Goodwin’s announcement on CBS Sports HQ. As of now, he is the only commit Kentucky is still waiting on a signature from. The Wade Twins sent their paperwork in this morning but deleted the tweets about it in order to save the moment for their ceremony at Summit High School, which is currently underway.
4:11 pm (Tyler): Four-star WR Dane Key just put ink to paper at Frederick Douglass!
Somewhere in rural Colorado, Ryan Lemond is celebrating.
Dane Key
Position/Height/Weight: Wide Receiver, 6-2, 190 lbs.
Hometown/School: Lexington (KY), Frederick Douglass
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 231, No. 1 KY
About Dane: It’s difficult for me to tell you something you don’t already know about Dane. The son of a former Wildcat, Donte, the Keys personal relationship with Ryan Lemond has made him one of the most talked about recruits in the Commonwealth in quite some time. A dynamic pass-catcher that has already made SportsCenter’s Top Plays, the emergence of Liam Coen’s dynamic offense ensured that Key would play for his Old Kentucky Home.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Legacy Wildcat was the focus of Mark Stoops recruiting emphasis for quite some time. Son of former UK linebacker Donte Key. Natural hand catcher with excellent ball skills. Fun fact, he was Frederick Douglass’ long snapper. Preferable size for an X receiver that can also situationally align at the slot. Finds the football when in the air and competes in 50/50 ball scenarios. Dual threat college receiver. Capable as a vertical threat as well as rapid breaking route runner for possession downs.
2:47 pm (Tyler): Auburn transfer offensive lineman Tashawn Manning‘s paperwork is in as well. The 6’4″ 335 lbs. Florida native announced earlier this week he will use his super senior year at Kentucky. As Adam Luckett showed us in the KSR Film Room, he’s another solid addition to Kentucky Big Blue Wall. Plus, he’s a badass who beat cancer.
2:40 pm (Tyler): Barion Brown is a Wildcat. His mother shared this picture from his signing ceremony at Pearl-Cohn today in Nashville:
Barion Brown
Position/Height/Weight: Wide Receiver, 6-1, 173 lbs.
Hometown/School: Nashville (TN), Pearl-Cohn
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 79, No. 10 WR
About Brown: Kentucky rarely signs athletes like Brown. The highest-ranked offensive playmaker to become a Wildcat from outside of the state in the internet era of recruiting rankings, it could not have happened without Liam Coen’s offensive expertise. Tennessee’s Mr. Football in Class 4A, he’s a state champion sprinter that ran a 10.49 100m dash last spring. He picked UK over Ole Miss and Alabama. Like Lynn Bowden, he was a jack-of-all-trades in high school that did everything, but in a different manner than Bowden. Instead of bouncing around defenders, he runs right past them, making every opponent he faces look slow.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Play em all. Positional versatility is a high ranker in my book. Brown played quarterback, running back, receiver, and defensive back while excelling on special teams in the return game. Projects to all three phases. Finds the end zone, long-striding runner with quick bursts. Not a comp, but has Lynn Bowden Jr. similarities. Will only get better once focused on a specific position. Requires technical development at receiver but playmaking ability undeniable.
2:20 pm (Roush): Kentucky was trying to flip OF Jalen Farmer from Florida. Right now it does not appear that Farmer will make a decision today, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled.
1:59 pm (Luckett): Michigan State and Mel Tucker are moving forward with their NSD press conference. Meanwhile, Kentucky and Mark Stoops have postponed until tomorrow. Will we learn something here?
1:31 pm (Luckett): Jon Sumrall is now the head coach at Troy, but he played a big part in getting both Kobi Albert and Quentel Jones to Lexington.
1:25 pm (Roush): We finally have a time for Kiyaunta Goodwin’s decision. He’ll make the decision from his home away from, Aspirations Gym, at 5 pm ET. KSR will be in the house. You can watch it all from home on CBS Sports HQ. The last major decision of NSD, it will certainly receive the national spotlight.
1:00 pm (Roush): It’s going to be an uncharacteristically eventful afternoon. Typically most of the class is signed, sealed and delivered by lunchtime, with a few decisions lingering until later in the afternoon. This year Kentucky is letting a few high-profile players wait until their after-school signing day ceremony to make an official announcement.
- Keaten and Destin Wade
- Barion Brown
- Dane Key
There’s no reason to worry about those three wavering on their commitment, who are expected to become official between 3:30-4 pm ET. There’s still some uncertainty surrounding a few other players. Kiyaunta Goodwin’s second announcement will be at approximately 3:30 pm ET and Zahquan Frazier will wait until approximately 6 pm before revealing if he will be a Kentucky Wildcat. We’re currently trying to track down the latest on Florida commit Jalen Farmer.
Hold on tight. This wild ride is far from over.
11:55 am (Luckett): Poor Florida State just can’t get anything to go right.
11:26 am (Luckett): We’re getting some transfer portal commitments to add to all the action. Kentucky lands Virginia Tech wideout Tayvion Robinson. The former top-500 recruit will be an instant impact performer for Liam Coen’s offense.
11:25 am (Luckett): Well, it’s not all good news today. As expected, Mississippi State flips junior college cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson as the Kentucky pledge went to Starkville for an official visit last weekend.
11:23 am (Luckett): The flip has been completed as Kentucky has landed blue-chip athlete Kobi Albert. The Alabama native and former Auburn pledge could play wide receiver or defensive back at the next level.
Ja’Kobi Albert
Position/Height/Weight: Athlete, 5-10, 167 lbs.
Hometown/School: Fairfield (AL), Fairfield Prep
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 416, No. 18 ATH
About Albert: It’s a very Merry Flipmas in Lexington as the Cats turned an Auburn commitment into a Kentucky signee. Albert camped with the Cats over the summer, but ultimately were the second choice when he committed to the Tigers in August. Jon Sumrall continued to recruit Albert, yet hopes of a last minute flip appeared dim when the UK assistant bolted for Troy. Kentucky was still able to secure the last official visit and close in the final days of the open recruiting period. Now Kentucky has an athlete that can legitimately play offense or defense at the SEC level. Liam Coen and Brad White will be fighting over who gets to keep the explosive athlete.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: The only question here is where will he play at Kentucky? Talented receiver with 4.4 speed and 40-inch vertical and a ball hawking defensive back that’s played corner and safety. Displays playmaking tendencies. Aggressive natured and technically sound tackler along the line of scrimmage and in space. Can cover interior or outside receivers. Fluid athlete, game comes easy to him. Exciting possibilities here.
11:05 am (Luckett): Kentucky has landed their kicker of the future as Jackson Smith’s NLI has been received.
Jackson Smith
Position/Height/Weight: Placekicker, 5-11, 170 lbs.
Hometown/School: Danville (KY), Boyle County
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 15 K, No. 18 KY
About Jackson: He first turned heads as an 8th grader by booting a 51-yard field goal through the uprights. His leg helped Boyle County win back-to-back 4A State Championships. The son of former All-SEC punter Andy Smith, Jackson spends his free-time hunting and fishing big game across the Commonwealth.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Can fill UK’s need at kicker and punter. Did both for a state champion team along with playing receiver and defensive back. Wildcat legacy, son of former UK punter Andy Smith.
11:02 am (Luckett): Not today, Jim Harbaugh. Kentucky beats out Big Ten champ Michigan for Deone Walker as the Wildcats record a significant commitment.
Deone Walker
Position/Height/Weight: Defensive Tackle, 6-6, 360 lbs.
Hometown/School: Detroit (MI), Cass Tech
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 261, No. 34 DL, No. 6 MI
About Walker: Kentucky beat out a pair of CFB Playoff teams, Georgia and his home state of Michigan, to secure Walker’s services. A two-gapper in the trenches, Walker has measurables comparable to Georgia’s Jordan Davis. Quinton Bohanna started a trend at UK as the first nose guard taken in the NFL Draft. That can continue with Walker coming to Kentucky to replace Bully McCall and back up Justin Rogers, two other Detroit natives. Steve Clinkscale’s Michigan ties all but severed UK’s Michigan pipeline, but not even he could keep Walker from Kentucky.
10:01 am (Roush): This morning’s non-decision announcement from Goodwin was on Watch Stadium. He’s staying loyal to CBS Sports HQ, telling Steve Wiltfong he will announce on the platform this afternoon at 3:30 pm ET. It’s the same service that broadcasted Kiyaunta’s initial commitment to Kentucky. Just when you thought this couldn’t get any crazier, it got crazier.
9:59 am (Roush): If you’re still worried about the Wades, we have a couple of Tweets reassuring the BBN that they will be signing with Kentucky. Still waiting on the official word from UK.
9:49 am (Roush): Kentucky has postponed the National Signing Day press conference with Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow to Thursday at 1 pm ET. Initially planned for 3 pm Wednesday, UK cites late afternoon decisions for the delay.
Deone Walker plans on announcing at 10:45 am ET and Ja’Kobi Albert will be pulling the trigger around 11 am ET. Reading between the lines, maybe UK is using this afternoon as an opportunity to try to get that coveted signature from Kiyaunta Goodwin.
9:37 am (Luckett): Speaking of Tennessee, the Vols just flipped Georgia DL commit Tyre West. Surprisingly, Josh Heupel is putting a together a really strong first full class Knoxville. The Wildcats sit at No. 20 in average star rating with the Vols right behind them at No. 21.
9:26 am (Roush): @UKFootball has deleted the Tweets confirming the signing of the Wade Twins. Is there a reason to be alarmed? I don’t think so. Most likely a paperwork/semantics issue, I have a feeling somebody did not initially sign on the correct dotted line. Solid commitments, they’ll go live as soon as the paperwork is ready.
9:17 am (Roush): The Wade Twins are in. Take that, Tennessee!
Keaten Wade
Position/Height/Weight: EDGE, 6-4, 225 lbs.
Hometown/School: Spring Hill (TN), Summit
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 231, No. 19 EDGE
About Wade: The Class 6A Mr. Football Runner-Up to his twin brother, Destin, Keaten will complete his prep career in January’s All-American Bowl. A significant recruiting win over Tennessee, he ran over opponents at running back, then raised hell in the backfield as a disruptive edge defender. He can impact a game like J.J. Weaver and Jordan Wright, yet he’s further along in his development than his predecessors at this point in their respective careers.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Powerfully built frame at 6’4, 225-pounds. Edge defender that can be 250 by career’s end. Multi-role player that excels when vertically pressuring the quarterback and in defending space. Schematic fit. Prototypical Jack linebacker with big-play capabilities. Could see immediate playing time given UK’s perceived lack of depth at the Edge.
Destin Wade
Position/Height/Weight: ATH, 6-3, 207 lbs.
Hometown/School: Spring Hill (TN), Summit
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 15 ATH, No. 13 TN
About Wade: Tennessee’s 6A Mr. Football Runner-Up quarterbacked Summit High School to 25 straight victories. Wade earns the athlete tag because of his ability to make plays with his legs. He’s such an elite playmaker that many believe he will be best suited as a flex tight end at Kentucky. Even so, Liam Coen will first develop Wade as a passer that can use his legs to keep SEC defenses on their heels.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: High school quarterback that will get an opportunity at the position at Kentucky. A danger to score with the football in his hands, Destin Wade is a throwback competitor that appears to love the game. Winner with an infectious on-field personality. Strong arm. Touch and feel for the position can be developed under Liam Coen. Can fill many needs and roles if not at QB.
8:55 am (Roush): Here comes Nik Hall!
Nikolas Hall
Position/Height/Weight: Offensive Tackle, 6-6, 309 lbs.
Hometown/School: Austin (TX), Akins
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 395, No. 23 OT
About Nikolas: His father, Antonio Hall, was Kentucky’s first high-profile signee of the internet recruiting era, ranked as the No. 12 player overall in the class of 2000. Nik Hall did not have to ride his dad’s coattails to get to Kentucky. Unheralded early in his career, the lengthy athlete with lean ankles soared up to No. 91 overall in the On300 rankings. A monster in the trenches, he’s a big reason why Kentucky could sign the best offensive line class in America.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Legacy Wildcat, son of UK All-SEC offensive lineman Antonio Hall. Effective pass blocker that will take time to develop in the run game. Elite arm length and frame. Like most offensive linemen entering college football, Hall is a developmental project that could pay dividends in years to come. Status has significantly risen from initial contact to signature. Fascinating signee.
8:37 am (Luckett): Kentucky’s tight end makes it official as Cincinnati Moeller’s Josh Kattus joins the haul. The three-star prospect might be the most underrated player in the class.
Josh Kattus
Position/Height/Weight: Tight End, 6-4, 235 lbs.
Hometown/School: Cincinnati (OH), Archbishop Moeller
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 62 TE, No. 41 OH
About Kattus: Another talented Moeller product recruited by Vince Marrow, he’s exactly what the Big Dog loves in his position room. Most signing days we focus on a tight end’s ability to catch passes. This one opens eyes as a mauling blocker in the trenches. He picked Kentucky over Louisville, Michigan, Cincinnati, Pitt, Arkansas, Northwestern and Michigan. Jim Harbaugh was the first to offer Kattus, whose father was a team captain at Michigan that caught eight touchdowns from Harbaugh in 1985.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Aggressive, willing, and technical blocker with a large catch radius. Familiar with zone blocking and play actions, Kattus is a schematic fit for Kentucky’s multi-tight end rotation. Often seen downfield blocking, the TE is a high effort player that appears to love the game of football. Some signees just fit. Kattus is yet another prototypical, tight end from the state of Ohio. Joins a talented position room.
8:32 am (Luckett): South Carolina’s luck has officially run out. Maryland might have just pulled the biggest surprise of the day as Mike Locksley and the Terps flip four-star EDGE Jaishawn Barham from the Gamecocks. The top-200 prospect just pledged to Carolina on Saturday.
8:25 am (Luckett): Three more signatures have hit the fax machine. Kentucky is able to hold off a late push by Cincinnati for West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West four-star defensive back Alex Afari.
Alex Afari
Position/Height/Weight: ATH, 6-2, 193 lbs.
Hometown/School: West Chester (OH), Lakota West
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 323
About Afari: The latest in a long line of prospects Vince Marrow has recruited from Cincinnati-area talent factory Lakota West, the Big Dog had to fend off a late push from the hometown CFB playoff team to secure a signature from the two-way star. Afari sky-rocketed up the recruiting rankings into the On300 after he committed to UK in May. He could fit in perfectly playing nickel a strong safety in Brad White’s defense. Afari is the cousin of George Asafo-Adjei, a former Wildcats selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: A 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame fits Kentucky’s size preference at the cornerback position. Physical tackler, Afari is likely an immediate addition to the Wildcat’s two-deep. Multi-position athlete that has played on all three levels. Football player. Tough guy. Schematic and cultural fit at Kentucky. Brings nastiness and physicality that Mark Stoops covets in defensive backs.
Jordan Anthony
Position/Height/Weight: Wide Receiver, 5-11, 142 lbs.
Hometown/School: Tylertown (MS), Tylertown
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 60 WR, No. 10 MS
About Jordan: If speed kills, Anthony is a habitual murderer. The fastest high school sprinter in America, he won the Outdoor National Championship in the 100m this spring by posting a time of 10.21 seconds. A Jon Sumrall recruit, he picked Kentucky over Ole Miss. Anthony was named to the Mississippi All-Star team following his senior season.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Speed, speed, speed. Jordan Anthony is a lightning fast slot receiver that can outrun defenders. Route running and adding strength/weight will develop in Lexington. Anthony provides a vertical threat combined with desired ball skills. Notable get-off vs. man coverage. It’s obvious that Liam Coen wanted to up offensive speed in this class. Anthony fits the bill.
Elijah Reed
Position/Height/Weight: Cornerback, 6-3, 180 lbs.
Hometown/School: Louisville (KY), Pleasure Ridge Park
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 118 CB, No. 12 KY
About Elijah: Reed received a second chance and made the most of it. His football career was nearly derailed by COVID-19 when half of his senior season at PRP High School was canceled. Thanks to a Kentucky state law, he was able to reclassify. He switched positions from wide receiver to defensive back, began working out at Aspirations Gym and proved that he can be a lengthy disruptor in Kentucky’s pass defense.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Another instate get for Vince Marrow. Reed is a 6’3 defensive back with top-level speed. Cornerback depth was an issue in 2021. Reed brings Stoops’ preferred length and production at the position. Much like the Wade twins, Reed can be described simply as a football player. High ceiling with positional development.
8:16 am (Luckett): The waiting game continues. Five-star Kiyaunta Goodwin announces that he’s undecided between Kentucky and Michigan State. An announcement will not come today.
7:53 am (Luckett): One of Kentucky’s latest commitments makes it official as high three-star defensive tackle Quentel Jones has sent the Wildcats his NLI. A twitchy nose tackle prospect with strength and mobility.
Quentel Jones
Position/Height/Weight: Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 260 lbs.
Hometown/School: Fort Valley (GA), Peach County
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 77 DL, No. 66 GA
About Jones: A late addition to Kentucky’s 2022 recruiting class, Jon Sumrall played the long game. Upon departing for Troy, the former UK assistant still made an appearance at Jones’ official visit in December to help the Cats’ secure a commitment. Jones was also considering Miami, Tennessee and Mississippi State. A physical player that’s hard to move in the trenches, he’s the kind of player you typically see at Miss. State that has given Kentucky headaches over the years.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Nasty, athletic inside defensive lineman. Violent snap to punch with strong hands. Quick burst, rapid horizontal movement in stunts and movements. Scheme fit as a zero technique, 3-4 nose tackle. Displays the ability to require, engage, and defeat double teams. This Class if filled with highly sought after prospects, so labeling any of UK’s signees as “Under the Radar” is not applicable. But, I really like Jones and what he can bring to the Cat’s defensive line down the road.
7:43 am (Luckett): The first five signatures are in. A pair of blue-chips highlight the start for Kentucky football.
Tyreese Fearbry
Position/Height/Weight: EDGE, 6-5, 210 lbs.
Hometown/School: Pittsburgh (PA), Perry Traditional Academy
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 158, No. 13 EDGE
About Tyreese: Brad White’s biggest recruiting win at Kentucky, the UK defensive coordinator remained patient and it paid off. Following summer official visits, Feabry committed to nearby Penn State. When he reopened his recruitment, many speculated he would stay home and play for Pitt. Instead, he chose to become the next Josh Allen at Kentucky. He can’t live up to the hype right away, but you’ll hear a lot of Josh Allen comparisons when he’s playing at Kroger Field.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Long, multi-sport and positional athlete with preferred size and twitchiness for an Edge defender. Can bend, turn, and burn. Plays with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up linebacker with coverage skills. A high ceiling developmental project for the Kentucky Strength and Conditioning staff. Will be interesting to see how quickly he’s thrown into the mix with multiple linebackers entering the transfer portal.
Grant Bingham
Position/Height/Weight: Offensive Guard, 6-4, 310 lbs.
Hometown/School: Paintsville (KY), Johnson Central
On3 Consensus Ranking: 4-star, No. 24 IOL, No. 3 KY
About Bingham: Johnson Central is one the state’s premiere football programs because of their dominant rushing attack. Bingham has been a physical presence for years, opening up rushing lanes to appear in three state championship games. The Golden Eagles defeated Boyle County by one in Bingham’s sophomore season, but came up short at Kroger Field two weeks ago. A significant recruiting win over Notre Dame, Bingham’s mobility will make him a weapon on Eric Wolford’s offensive line.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: At 6’6, 300-pounds, Bingham is a choice athlete at tackle. Powerful run blocker that often reached the second and third levels. High motor, effort blocker with a nasty streak that is synonymous with the Big Blue Wall. Pass blocking will develop, wasn’t asked to do so in high school. Tennis player that possesses positional agility and footwork. Can play tackle or kick inside.
Brandon White
Position/Height/Weight: Wide Receiver, 5-9, 165 lbs.
Hometown/School: Cincinnati (OH), Archbishop Moeller
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 180 WR, No. 50 OH
About White: Cincinnati Moeller has been kind to the Kentucky football program. Two significant contributors to the 2021 football team, Brendan Bates and Carrington Valentine, once called Moeller home. Now White will join Josh Kattus in Lexington. Liam Coen has placed a premium on speed when recruiting pass-catchers, and White showed just that over the summer as one of the top UK camp performers.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Speedster that’s been recorded in the 4.2 range. Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen has placed a premium on speed and vertical threats. White offers those skills. Slightly built, development may take some time. But, you can’t coach speed and White has plenty.
Andre Stewart
Position/Height/Weight: Cornerback, 5-11, 182 lbs.
Hometown/School: Kennesaw (GA), North Cobb
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 46 CB, No. 50 GA
About Stewart: Ranked by ESPN as a four-star prospect, he’s the only Kentucky commitment that participated in The Opening, Nike’s top national football camp. Stewart’s low profile can be attributed to his high school. Playing for nationally ranked North Cobb, he was overshadowed by four-star teammates committed to Georgia and Tennessee. Anwar Stewart and Chris Collins could end up with the steal of the signing class.
Freddie Maggard’s Take: Physical, twitchy defensive back with a nose for the football. Possesses positional speed with playmaking ability. Will compete for playing time in 2022 and could be an immediate special team’s asset. Effective tackler in space. One-on-one pass coverage ability, will develop into a zone defender at UK.
Tomiwa Durojaiye
Position/Height/Weight: Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 254 lbs.
Hometown/School: Middletown (DE), Middletown
On3 Consensus Ranking: 3-star, No. 99 DL, No. 2 DE
About Durojaiye: Likely Kentucky’s first signee from The First State, Durojaiye was named Delaware Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign. One of Brad White’s first recruiting wins in the northeast, Kentucky beat out Arkansas, South Carolina and Vanderbilt for the lengthy defensive lineman’s services.
7:34 am (Luckett): Mykel Williams makes it official and signs with Georgia. Kentucky had a legitimate shot at the five-star and former USC commit at one point. Bulldogs are putting together another ridiculous recruiting class.
7:10 am (Roush): Let’s throw it back to Freddie’s National Signing Day in 1987.
7:00 am (Roush): The hype video you need in your life. Unfortunately, no NSD show this year, but I have a feeling Freddie Maggard still has an unheralded player or two you’ll want to watch for in the future. We’ll be podcasting at the conclusion of today’s NSD activities. Expect it go live at approximately 7 pm.
6:45 am (Roush): Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the calm before the storm. The coffee is brewing and the fax machines are warming up. It’s going to be a great day for the BBN.
After a few chaotic days, confidence reached an all-time high last night. The Cats are going to absolutely rock this NSD. I can feel it in my bones. Kiyaunta Goodwin has caused concern for many, but I’ve remained steadfast. Kiyaunta will be a Cat.
Goodwin will unveil his decision at the All-American Bowl’s signing day event in Frisco, Tx. at 8:15 am ET this morning. Last night he hung out with David Baker, then he shared that he’s down to two, UK and Michigan State.
Before the day is done I believe Kentucky will secure signatures from Goodwin, his pal Deone Walker, Ja’Kobi Albert, Jalen Farmer and Zah Frazier. There are a few others I’m prepared for with some surprises that could shock even the most well-respected insiders. It’s going to be a wild day at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility as Mark Stoops tries to make history by signing the highest-ranked UK football recruiting class ever.
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