Three 4-Star Kentucky targets who could set off fireworks by committing soon

by:Nick Roush•07/03/23•

RoushKSR

Over the weekend Kentucky racked up a couple of significant recruiting wins. The four-star additions of LB Elijah Groves and Tehryon Nichols bumped the 2024 recruiting class up 10 spots to No. 34 in the country. The Wildcats’ work may not be done.

After a seemingly slow start on the recruiting trail increased anxiety around the Big Blue Nation, Kentucky might close off the peak summer season with a run of four-star recruiting wins. Here’s who could create even more fireworks for the Wildcats this Fourth of July by making surprise announcements.

EDGE Brian Robinson

Brian Robinson might be the biggest fish on Kentucky’s recruiting big board. The Youngstown native is a Top 150 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and a frequent flyer to Lexington. He officially visited in early June, then wrapped up a monthlong whirlwind tour in Ann Arbor. Most believe it will either be Kentucky or Michigan, but the Cats are the heavy favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

The question is: when is Brian Robinson going to make an announcement? Folks close to his recruitment believed it would happen shortly after the completion of his official visits. It’s been more than a week and we’ve still received no word. For some kids that would not be a surprise, but B-Rob is incredibly active on social media, even with Twitter’s rate limits. A LIVE Fourth of July ceremony fits the billing for the big-time recruit, yet it’s hard to imagine it happening without any fanfare ahead of time. Maybe he’s got one big surprise planned that will put the BBN into a tizzy on Independence Day.

WR Hardley Gilmore

The four-star wide receiver has already pulled off one big surprise in his recruitment. Formerly a 2025 recruit, Hardley Gilmore announced a reclassification to 2024 when he arrived on Kentucky’s campus for an official visit in June. He wrapped up the summer with a pitstop at UCF and an official visit to Penn State.

The Pahokee (Fla.) wide receiver is one of the 50 best players at his position and the No. 289 overall prospect in his class. That ranking puts him in rarified air. The only out-of-state wide receivers to sign with Mark Stoops’ Wildcats ranked higher are Lynn Bowden and Barion Brown. Gilmore could provide the ideal complement to QB Cutter Boley entering the second half of the recruiting calendar year. Like the others on this list, there’s no clear indication when he plans on announcing a commitment.

ATH Jalewis Solomon

Jalewis Solomon was on Kentucky’s campus the same weekend that Hardley Gilmore was in town. Unlike most recruits with the ATH tag, Solomon actually can play on either side of the line of scrimmage at the next level at wide receiver or defensive back. The No. 230 overall player in the On3 Industry Ranking, Florida State has been the long-time RPM leader. Auburn, Texas A&M and South Carolina are also in the mix.

Solomon teased an announcement on the horizon. Can Kentucky produce one more explosive recruiting win? We’ll see if blue fireworks are flying on the Fourth of July.