On the heels on what should go down as Mark Stoops’ best class at Kentucky, the trick for 2018 is to keep the momentum going. So far so good for the Wildcats class for next season. As it stands right now the class ranks 19th in the country. Time for the 2018 Kentucky Wildcats Recruiting Update.
History Repeating Itself?
Jarren Williams– While not the highest rated recruit for 2018 Williams may end up being the most important. Ever since the three star player from Lawrenceville, Georgia committed to the Cats over a year ago Williams has been picking up offers right and left. Florida, Florida State and LSU are just some of the schools trying to flip the 6 foot 3 dual threat quarterback. Despite all the offers Williams says he is firmly committed to Kentucky.
If this sounds familiar to True Blue Fans they have to look no farther than last season. One of the best quarterbacks of the 2017 class Mac Jones pledged early to Kentucky. However last summer he flipped his commitment to Nick Saban and Alabama.
There seems to be a recurring theme to Kentucky recruiting. Stoops and company gets in on players early, gets them to commit then has to hold off the “bigger” schools from flipping them.
Check out Jarren Williams' Parkview High School on @Hudl https://t.co/y4rb9tfNVq #hudl
— Kilo (@Jarren2Williams) November 7, 2016
Alex Reigelsperger- The 6-foot-5 240 pound defensive end from Dayton, Ohio committed to Kentucky in January during the annual “Junior Day.” Reigelsperger ranks as the 166th best player in the country by ESPN and 14th best defensive end. He also will enroll early next year.
Ever since his pledge to the Cats he has become a big recruiter for the class. Reigelsperger’s teammate L’Christian “Blue” Smith also visited UK during Junior Day. Smith ranks as the Number 23 player in the 2018 class by Rivals and Number 1 athlete. That would put him in the five star criteria when the updated rankings come out.
NEW: Football recruiting notebook — Alex Reigelsperger talks about getting other stars to join UK's 2018 class https://t.co/9SLsBqfGlg
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) March 3, 2017
Brenden Bates– The highest rated player in Kentucky’s 2018 class, Bates is a four star tight end from Cincinnati Moeller. He currently sits as the 10th best player at his position by Rivals.
Tight end is a position of great need for Kentucky and Bates fills that position. Greg Hart will graduate next season and CJ Conrad will have one year left in 2018.
Kentucky football: Cats get commitment from Ohio TE prospect Brenden Bates https://t.co/6cT8YILGH1 #BBN pic.twitter.com/IYCvgxU4DP
— SEC Country Kentucky (@SECCountryUK) March 10, 2017
Current and Future Wildcat Teammates-
Marvin Alexander and Davoan Hawkins- The teammates from Chaminade-Madonna high school in Florida round out the current recruiting class.
Alexander is ranked as the 116th best receiver in the 2018 recruiting class. The 6 foot 3 175 pounder rates as the 105th best player in the state of Florida.
Hawkins ranks as the 52nd best defensive end by 24/7 Sports. At 6 foot 4 and 246 pounds he had offers from Wisconsin, Louisville and Cincinnati. He hopes to join the long list of strong defensive players Stoops has brought in from the Sunshine State.
This makes the second straight year UK has taken two players from the school. Incoming freshmen Joshua Ali and Chris Whittaker both played at the prep school before coming to Lexington.
Coming off the first bowl game in five years and a great recruiting class, the future looks bright for Kentucky football. If the first five commits for 2018 are any indication next year’s class could be even better.
