Recruiting Roundup: Kentucky Offers Penn State Commit
Today is a good day to check in on the latest Kentucky football recruiting efforts. While out on the trail the Wildcats are extending plenty of scholarship offers to talented underclassmen and one in particular is eye-opening. Let’s dive in.
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Impressive Pennsylvania Prospects
Daikiel Shorts offered three top 100 players during one trip to Harrisburg High School. Messiah Mickens is a top ten running back in the country and the No. 58 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He committed to Penn State early in the process, giving James Franklin a verbal prior to his sophomore season.
Shorts also offered Micken’s talented teammate, Elias Coke. A four-star wide receiver, he’s the No. 262 player in the 2026 recruiting class. Kevin Brown is the highest-ranked player of the trio. The 6-foot-5 interior offensive lineman is the No. 35 overall player in the rising junior class.
Top-Ranked Kentucky Football Scholarship Offers
A top ten player at his position in the 2026 recruiting class, the offensive tackle is the No. 80 overall player in the country. He’s one of a few prospects offered by Kentucky during Brad White and Mike Stoops’ travels to Charlotte, along with LB Elijah Littlejohn.
A 6-foot-5, 330-pound interior offensive lineman from Mechanicsburg, PA, Merrill is ranked as the No. 86 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan have already extended offers to the exceptional offensive lineman.
Hailing from Middletown, NJ, Waffle is a four-star defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class, ranked as the No. 158 overall prospect. Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas are among his other early interests.
A four-star talent from Michigan, On3 ranks Nichols as the 11th-best interior offensive lineman and the No. 172 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. Michigan State and Notre Dame are the top schools targeting Nichols.
A 6-foot-3 safety from Georgia, Jackson is a Top 200 player in the 2026 recruiting class. He does not yet hold an offer from Kirby Smart’s program, but Ole Miss is another SEC school already making a move.
Twin Brothers
The Kentucky coaching staff was in Miami to offer two players from Norland High School, the Desir brothers. Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir are twins who play on the EDGE in the class of 2025. The three-star rising seniors already have offers from Florida State, Miami, and Oregon, among others.
Multiple Players from Cass Tech
Detroit powerhouse Cass Tech has been kind to the Kentucky football program, sending Deone Walker and DeAndre Square to Lexington. Eric Wolford is trying to keep that Michigan pipeline alive. This week he offered 2026 tight end Victor Polk and 2026 LB Brian Stovall.
More Scholarship Offers
Brayton Feister — It’s the first SEC offer for the 2027 LB from Akron (OH) Archbishop Hoban.
Travis Robertson — Kentucky is the second offer for 2026 offensive tackle from West Bloomfield (MI), the alma mater of UK cornerback Max Hairston.
Joel Ervin — The Fort Myers 2026 offensive tackle has offers from Miami, UCF, and South Carolina.
Donald Tabron — The Detroit quarterback is entering his first season at MLK High. UK is his second Power Four offer.
Kayden Edwards — Another young quarterback, Edwards is a 2027 prospect at talent-rich Ironton (OH) High. Vince Marrow offered two other Ironton players, 2026 OL Caleb Jacobs and 2028 TE Luca Silva.
Darius Dennis — Kentucky is the second Power Four offer for the 2027 Dayton defensive back.
Kai Pritchard — The three-star New Jersey IOL is a top 300 prospect according to 247 Sports and ESPN.
Maddox Cochrane — On3 ranks the Virginia offensive tackle as the No. 209 player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Jamarcus “Fatt” Whyce — The 2026 Dayton EDGE is a four-star talent in two recruiting services. Kentucky is his first SEC offer. His teammate, 2027 DL Jeremiah Nash, also received a UK offer.
Benjamin Corhei — The Naples (FL) 2026 offensive tackle is being recruited by most of the schools in the Sunshine State.
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