Relationships with Coach Collins, Barion Brown standing out to '26 DB Josh Sims
Class of 2026 cornerback Joshua Sims is only a high school sophomore, but he’s already developed plenty of notable relationships with multiple people within the Kentucky football program.
One of those people is defensive backs coach Chris Collins, who offered Sims a scholarship on Kentucky’s behalf in early September. Sims, who checks in at 6-foot, 170 pounds, camped at UK over the summer where the two sides were able to introduce each other. Sims shined at the camp and has stayed in communication with Coach Collins ever since. He was back in Lexington over the weekend for his second gameday visit of the season.
“I had a great time,” Sims told KSR about his visit on Saturday. “I got there and got to see Coach Chris on the field. He was super excited to see me. He’s just a different type of energy every time I see him but he’s always super excited to see me.”
Kentucky was the second Division I offer for Sims, who first earned a scholarship from Colorado in August. UK was next, followed by Louisville a couple of weeks later.
“I was kinda expecting (the offer) because I knew I did a great job at the camp and I knew Coach Collins really liked me,” Sims added. “I kinda expected it but at the same time I was still surprised because it was only my second offer so I was super excited for it.”
Another person Sims knows with connections to Kentucky is current sophomore wide receiver Barion Brown. The two played football together for one year at Nashville (TN) Pearl-Cohn before Brown went off to college. They also ran track together, which is where Sims said they truly formed their friendship that remains to this day.
“When I saw Barion, Barion came up out of nowhere, he just gave me a hug,” Sims said. “It’s always super fun to see him, we’re always excited to see each other. I had a great time. It was super fun… He’s just a happy person and a joyful person to be around.”
Kentucky is one of the top schools recruiting Sims right now. He adds that the likes of Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Maryland are other programs consistently reaching out, as well. More offers will likely be on the way. But he’s already visited UK twice this season. Aside from the relationships with Coach Collins and Brown — which he said “most definitely” play a role in why he likes Kentucky early on — Sims is a fan of the atmosphere that the Big Blue Nation pumps into Kroger Field.
“I like the energy, the fans,” Sims said. “At this past game that I been to and the game that I went to at the beginning of the season, there was just an energy. I love the energy down there. That’s a big part.”
Looking ahead, Sims will put recruiting on the backburner for just a bit. Pearl-Cohn has yet to lose a game this season (10-0) and begins its playoff run this Friday against — funnily enough — a team named Lexington High School in Tennessee. Sims will play a significant role in his team’s fight for a state title. Through 10 games this season, he’s recorded 85 total tackles (47 solo) and hauled in three interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown.
“I think my better attributes are my speed and I’m always ready to come downhill and hit something,” Sims said. “I’m never scared to come downhill and hit. And I make sure I communicate on the field, because if we don’t, then something could go wrong. I make sure that we communicate to the best of our ability.”
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