Name to Know: 4-Star LB Jayvant Brown

Kentucky has kept a low-profile throughout its 2023 recruiting efforts. The Cats have worked in the shadows to try to land big fish on the recruiting trail. Days before the Early Signing Period begins, we’re learning of a new name on the Wildcats’ radar, Jayvant Brown.

Jayvant Brown is a 6-foot, 220-linebacker for St. Thomas Aquinas in South Florida. Brown is the No. 381 overall prospect and No. 34 linebacker in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 71 player in the state of Florida.

The talented linebacker was committed to Michigan State until Sunday afternoon. As the open recruiting period concluded, he shared that his recruitment is “open 100%.” Some do not believe it’s 100% open.

Jim Comparoni from On3’s SpartanMag shared that Brown expressed interest in visiting Kentucky prior to his de-commitment. About an hour after the news broke on Sunday, Frank Tucker, a South Florida Rivals’ Insider, placed a FutureCast selection for Brown to Kentucky.

Throughout his recruiting process Brown has picked up offers from everybody who is anybody in the college football world. Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Florida, you name the school and they’ve likely recruited Jayvant Brown. Now at the eleventh hour Kentucky might be his final destination and it’s just what the Wildcats’ class needs.

Kentucky only has one linebacker commitment from the high school and transfer portal ranks, four-star athlete Grant Godfrey. Even though the Cats were deep at the position in 2022, Jacquez Jones and DeAndre Square‘s departure will be felt down the depth chart. Kentucky needs to fortify the middle of its defense and a signing day surprise from Jayvant Brown might provide the best possible solution for the Wildcats. We’ll keep our ears low, in the meantime, enjoy some of his best work.