Ohio recruiting analyst likes Kentucky's chances with Peters and Oats

We are just a few weeks from college football’s second National Signing Day on February 7, and with four scholarships remaining, the Kentucky Wildcats have the opportunity to finish the class of 2018 strong.

Two of the most crucial pieces remaining for the Cats are four-star commitment Xavier Peters and four-star outside linebacker Chris Oats, but questions surrounding their recruitments have been a worry for UK fans.

Peters has been committed to Kentucky since July of last year, but after failing to sign during the early period, and recent scheduled visits to Florida, Florida State, and Miami, it looked like a decommitment was inevitable.

For Oats, a Cincinnati, Ohio native, there was a time Kentucky seemed like the consensus favorite in his recruitment. KSR reported just a week ago that UK safety Mike Edwards was actively recruiting Oats to Kentucky, and Oats was extremely interested in playing with the fellow Winton Woods product.

After Ohio State confirmed Oats as a “take” for the Buckeyes this week, and contact heated up between both parties, many felt the talented four-star would play for the local powerhouse school.

According to Ohio recruiting analyst and insider Bill Greene, however, Kentucky is still in great shape with both prospects.

“I think Kentucky is in really good shape to sign (Peters),” Greene told Derek Terry of the Cats Pause. “If there is a threat then it’s definitely Florida. I think (Florida State and Miami) are just window dressing.”

Greene believes Peters’ relationship with Kentucky commitments also plays in UK’s favor.

“I think he has better relationships with the kids in the Kentucky program. There’s a lot of guys on that roster he knows and guys coming in with him that he knows,” he said.

As for Oats, there’s always pressure for recruits from Ohio with offers from OSU to become Buckeyes, but his relationship with Kentucky assistant Vince Marrow may win out in the end.

“I just did an interview with Chris earlier this week where he called that relationship like a father-son relationship and talked about how much he trusted Coach Marrow,” Greene said. “Just going off past history I think (Ohio State) can clip him, but if he does go ahead and sign with Kentucky that would not shock me at all because of the relationship he has with Coach Marrow.”

Getting one or both of these guys to sign in February  would be massive.

Bring em on home, Stoops.