Where Kentucky targets stand in updated 2023 football recruiting rankings

A handful of the nation’s top high school seniors are considering making the Kentucky Wildcats their next home, including one that already has.

On Monday afternoon, our good friends over at On3 updated their On300 football player rankings for the class of 2023. Several Kentucky targets made the cut, including current Wildcat commit Shamar Porter. UK has five commits as of right now from the 2023 class, including Kaden Moorman, Tanner Lemaster, Malachi Wood, and Ty Bryant — all of which are ranked as three-star prospects by the On3 Consensus.

Now let’s dive into the Kentucky targets that made the latest On300.

Shamar Porter (No. 120 to 118; up two spots)
6-3, 200-pound WR – Nashville (TN) Ensworth [KENTUCKY COMMIT]

The lone class of 2023 Kentucky commit among the top 300, Shamar Porter didn’t see much movement at all. He’s been a Wildcat since late January and hasn’t wavered off that decision. Porter is a game-changing pass-catcher who has been drawn to UK’s offense since Liam Coen’s arrival ahead of last season.

Avery Stuart (No. 142 to 152; down 10 spots)
6-2, 175-pound S – Montgomery (AL) Alabama Christian Academy

Avery Stuart received his first Power 5 offer from Kentucky and the staff was able to get him on campus at the end of March. He’s hearing from plenty of big-name programs, such as Auburn, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, but the ‘Cats are in the thick of the race.

Jalen Thompson (No. 184 to 185; down one spot)
6-3, 245-pound DL – Detroit (MI) Cass Technical

It’ll be tough for Kentucky to steal a Michigan recruit away, but the staff has already done it twice before from the same high school Jalen Thompson currently attends. Cass Technical has been an unusual pipeline school to UK over the last few years and could continue with Thompson, who is considered the No. 2 prospect in the state. Michigan State and Michigan are hot on his trail, too.

Kendrick Gilbert (No. 224 to 252; down 28 spots)
6-5, 250-pound DL – Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral

Kendrick Gilbert has seen been making the rounds this spring, with visits to the likes of Tennessee, Illinois, LSU, Ohio State, and Kentucky since the beginning of March. He’s looking to make a mid-August decision and will take more visits before making that call, including a return trip to LSU for an official visit.

Ja’Keem Jackson (NR to No. 248)
6-2, 180-pound CB – Kissimmee (FL) Osceola

One of the biggest overall risers, Ja’Keem Jackson is a brand new name picking up heavy steam. In just the month of April, he’s been offered by Georgia Tech, Boston College, Missouri, and Western Kentucky while taking visits to Central Florida and Tennessee. Kentucky actually offered back in January, one of the very first Divison I programs to do so.

Neeo Avery (No. 176 to 265; down 89 spots)
6-4, 225-pound ATH – Glen Burnier (MD) Good Counsel

Not long after Neeo Avery decommitted from Penn State in late March, KSR was able to confirm that he will take an official visit to Kentucky the weekend of June 17. Primarily an edge rusher, Avery is also being heavily recruited by Ole Miss, along with the ‘Cats. After he decommitted from PSU, he received additional offers from Miami (FL), Southern California, and Auburn.

Karmello English (No. 274 to 294; down 20 spots)
5-11, 175-pound WR – Phenix City (AL) Central

A Lexington visitor this past weekend, Karmello English included Kentucky among his top five schools a week ago, along with Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Penn State. The sense is that Auburn has the slight edge as of right now while Alabama could make a push if they decide to, but UK is firmly in the mix