Get to know Four-Star Linebacker and UK Target Trevin Wallace

One of the most talented linebackers in America could soon join the Big Blue Nation. On National Signing Day Trevin Wallace will announce where he will play college football, choosing between Auburn, Ole Miss, Georgia and Kentucky. Before the incredible athlete reveals his decision, learn more about the man behind the facemask.

Soaring Stock

Wallace has made a meteoric rise through the recruiting rankings. As a junior he put out solid tape, enough to catch the attention of recruiting services that slotted him in as a three-star prospect among the top 500 players nationally. In the most recent rankings, 247 Sports bumped him up to the No. 35 player overall and the second-ranked inside linebacker in the class of 2021. Only two uncommitted players rank higher than Wallace. If he commits to UK, he would be the third-highet ranked signee since 247 Sports was launched.

A Low Profile Player in South Georgia

What took people so long to find out about Wallace? He’s not a big, “Let me Tweet about my offers,” kind of guy. In fact, he only has 11 Tweets. In his most recent message, he announced in June that he was committing to Boston College. Wallace doesn’t necessarily play the game the same way many others do. Wallace does much more walking than he does talking while playing for Wayne County High School, a school that actually borders Jamin Davis’ alma mater, Long County High School.

An Athlete that Plays Every Position

He may speak softly, but my goodness, this man plays loud.

Have you ever seen a quarterback wear No. 32? Maybe once or twice in the Wildcat formation. Here’s the thing I can’t wrap my brain around: have you ever seen a linebacker return a punt for a touchdown? This guy is ripping people’s heads off on defense, then taking jet sweeps 80 yards to the house. In his final high school football game he rushed for 386 yards while playing every single snap of offense, defense and special teams.

Wallace is essentially the Michael Bush of South Georgia. Dumbfounding is probably the best word I can use to describe his senior season tape.

The offensive plays are astounding, but that’s not why he is being recruited by SEC schools. Wallace can play any of the linebacker positions, often rushing from the edge in what would be considered the ‘Sam linebacker’ in UK’s defense. His coaches utilized his speed and explosiveness in the pass rush.

What I see clearly in his defensive tape is that Wallace has a good feel for the game. He is quick to recognize his surroundings and acts without hesitation. You can see his instincts at work on the following play. The opponent called a reverse to the slot receiver. Wallace immediately recognizes it, and instead of running to the player, he runs to the spot where the receiver is going, forcing the player to take a dive. Those are next level instincts and why 247 considered making him a five-star prospect.

Can Kentucky Close?

Like many players in the 2021 recruiting class, Wallace was quick to jump at an early offer, committing to Boston College a little more than a week after they extended a scholarship offer. Without summer camps to attend, there was plenty of uncertainty on the recruiting front. Jon Sumrall kept tabs while Auburn slowly turned up the heat.

By November, Wallace was ready to flip to an SEC school. Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams put the Tigers in position to receive a signature from Wallace during the Early Signing Period. That all changed when Auburn boosters ousted Gus Malzahn three days before recruits could officially put pen to paper. When Williams was not retained by new head coach Bryan Harsin, Auburn turned their attention to a former UK target, junior college prospect Joko Willis, to fill their void at linebacker, essentially taking themselves out of the picture for Wallaces’s services.

The official finalists for Wallace’s services on Wednesday are Auburn, Ole Miss, Georgia and Kentucky. Brad White and Sumrall must be able to hold off the home state school in a recruitment that will go down to the wire.

Last year on National Signing Day Jon Sumrall shocked the football recruiting world when Top 200 recruit Josaih Hayes unexpectedly picked UK over his home state school of Ole Miss. If Sumrall can pull off another NSD coup, not only would it make an even louder recruiting statement in the Deep South, UK would fill the void left by Jamin Davis with arguably the best high school linebacker in America. Wednesday is an enormous day for the future of the Kentucky football program.