KSR Today: Avery Stuart Announcement Day
As Michael Franti would say, “Today would be a very good day just to have a good day.” After some recent recruiting misses, Kentucky Football’s 2023 class could take a very big step forward very soon. Four-star safety Avery Stuart will announce his college decision today, and your University of Kentucky Wildcats are in good position. Auburn and Florida State are also in the running, with the Seminoles considered Kentucky’s top competition.
Stuart is the No. 222 player in the country according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The 6’2″ 175 lbs. native of Montgomery, Alabam is the No. 14 safety in the On300 rankings. He would be the second highest-ranked player in Kentucky’s 2023 class, which is currently ranked No. 58 in the country and No. 14 in the SEC.
Right now, Kentucky has a 74.5% chance of landing Stuart according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, with Nick Roush and Adam Luckett both logging picks for the Cats yesterday. The Cats account for 75% of the predictions in Stuart’s 247 Sports Crystal Ball, including the outlet’s Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong.
There’s a report out that Stuart will announce his decision this morning, so stay tuned. With four-star defensive lineman Kendrick Gilbert announcing Thursday and three-star center Koby Keenum on Saturday, Kentucky has a great chance to regain some momentum on the recruiting trail.
Here’s what else is happening today…
Team USA starts Round of 16 in the FIBA U17 World Cup
Yesterday, Team USA wrapped up group play at the FIBA U17 World Cup with a 112-64 win over Mali. Kentucky’s four targets on the squad (Ian Jackson, Ron Holland, Karter Knox, and DJ Wagner) have all shined at times during the event, with 2024 five-star guard Ian Jackson leading Team USA in scoring with 19.3 points per game. He’s been a scoring machine so far.
2023 five-star forward Ron Holland is averaging 14.7 points (56.7% FG) and 6.3 rebounds per contest while Knox and Wagner are averaging 9.3 points each. Today, the Round of 16 begins. Team USA plays Egypt at 12:15 p.m. ET. You can watch it live below or on FIBA’s YouTube page. The winner advances to the quarterfinals on Friday.
ICYMI, Matt Jones shared what he’s hearing on Kentucky & NIL
Kentucky’s approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has been a hot topic this week, especially when it comes to football recruiting. After his tweets Sunday on the matter got people talking, Matt Jones shared what he’s hearing about Kentucky, NIL, and Mitch Barnhart on yesterday’s show. If you missed it, I very much suggest catching up below.
The Barbasol Championship begins tomorrow
This week, the PGA Tour is in the Bluegrass for the Barbasol Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville. Starting tomorrow, 156 golfers will tee off in the four-day event with $660,000 and 300 FedEx Cup points up for grabs to the winner. This year, the winner will also receive the final invitation to next week’s Open at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, a new twist to the Barbasol Championship format.
Today is the Pro-Am, which is open to the public. ICYMI yesterday, Kroger Field played host to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital Mini Pro-Am, with Kentucky Football’s Dane Key and John Young joining in on the fun. Drew Franklin made the trek over to campus to capture the event for us.
The bus ride after the Tennessee win in 2020 sounds fun
In an interview with Braden Gall, Jon Sumrall, now the coach at Troy, reflected on his old boss Mark Stoops and the good times they had at Kentucky. One bus ride home was particularly memorable.
“2020, we beat Tennessee at Tennessee and we’re on the team bus and we were probably doing some things the administration didn’t want us to do near the bus.”
Oh, to be a fly on that window.
Time to do it again this fall.
TyTy Washington did the Griddy off the field at the Astros game
New Houston Rockets TyTy Washington, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason all threw out first pitches at the Houston Astros game last night. Thankfully, TyTy did not enter the First Pitch Hall of Shame, getting his toss over the plate. In typical TyTy fashion, he did the Griddy off the field.
Have you seen the new Will Levis/Oscar Tshiebwe shirt?
I hope you made a lot of these, Kentucky Branded. Get yours before they’re gone at ShopKSR.com.
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