Top 60 Recruit Caps Great Weekend
To anyone who would listen Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops says the 2022 recruiting class may be one of his best. In the span of 24 hours that certainly proved prophetic as the Cats picked up three huge commitments. UK got a commit frome one of their highest rated recruits ever plus a set of talented twins who spurned their home state. Let’s start (literally) with the big pledge as four star Kiyaunta Goodwin chooses Kentucky.
Big Time Recruit
In a ceremony broadcast on CBS Sports HQ the 6-8, 300 pound Goodwin chose the Cats over a who’s who of college football. Those schools included Alabama, Clemson, Michigan State and Ohio State, or 3/4’s of last year’s college football playoff. In addition Goodwin had offers from 71 different schools which is more than half of all FBS schools.
Playing at Charlestown High School Goodwin ranks as the 54th best player in America by both Rivals and 247 Sports. Furthermore he’s the second best player in the Hoosier State and seventh best offensive tackle in the nation. He’s lost over 100 pounds getting his body in better shape for the college football game. At number 54 Goodwin’s one of the highest rated players ever for Kentucky since the system started in 2002. UK’s lead recruiter Vince Marrow works his magic once again.
Kiyaunta Goodwin will be a Kentucky Wildcat #BBN pic.twitter.com/inr8zJnppi
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) April 17, 2021
Where He Fits In
Goodwin’s the type of talent who commands playing time from day one even in the SEC. He’s another huge building block in Kentucky’s “Big Blue Wall” for coach Eric Wilford. The Cats have several top linemen on the roster but will likely lose Darrian Kinnard to next year’s draft. UK also has another offensive line commit from Johnson Central’s Grant Bingham.
Jager Burton, Grant Bingham, and Kiyaunta Goodwin will ensure the continuance of the Big Blue Wall. UK is now a destination program for offensive linemen.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) April 17, 2021
Not only was Saturday a big day as Kiyaunta Goodwin chooses Kentucky, but a big weekend as the Cats got two more commits the day before.
Huge Pick Ups From The Volunteer State
About 24 hours before Goodwin picked Kentucky, the Cats picked up two more impact players. Twins Destin and Keaten Wade committed to Kentucky over Louisville, Tennessee and Virginia. Keaten Wade is a six foot four outside linebacker playing at Summit High School in Spring Hill, Tennessee. He ranks as the 156th best player in the country by Rivals and 188th by 247 Sports. In addition he’s the fourth best player in the Volunteer State. A season ago he was limited by injuries playing in only three games.
His brother Destin Wade is a four star athlete who comes in as the 350th best prospect by 247 Sports and 13th best in the state. As a junior the six foot three played quarterback leading Summit to the Division 1 Class 5A State Championship. He did a little of everything gaining 1,509 yards on the ground. In addition he threw for 1,390 yards and 37 touchdowns combined. The state title game saw him run for two touchdowns and throw for another in a 28-7 win. It’s a huge recruiting win for Steve Clinkscale who offered them early then held off new coach Josh Heupel at Tennessee.
Committed!!💙🤟🏾 #BBN #GoCats pic.twitter.com/FnGJKBN0tx
— Keaten Wade (@KeatenWade) April 17, 2021
How They Fit In
As an edge defender Keaten should be a great fit for Brad White’s defense. One needs to only look at this year’s draft and the remarkable development of Jamin Davis and “Boogie” Watson to see how the Cats get players ready for the next level.
Destin Wade is a great athlete who can play several positions as part of Liam Coen’s offense. Whether it’s quarterback, running back or even receiver. You may remember the last time Kentucky plucked a great athlete out of the Volunteer state it was Randall Cobb . He turned out to have a pretty good career.
Moving Up The Rankins
With the pledges of Goodwin and the Wade’s Kentucky rockets up the 2022 rankings. Currently they sit 10th according to Rivals. That’s the highest ranked class yet for Stoops since coming to Lexington. They likely aren’t done yet as they are squarely in the mix for several more top recruits.
Again it’s a big day for the BBN as four star Kiyaunta Goodwin chooses Kentucky. Plus the huge pick ups from Tennessee with the Wade twins. Things have certainly changed with the Kentucky football program and a weekend like this only reinforces that.
Main image courtesy Bill Kurelic, 247Sports
