Kentucky Football: Wildcats vs. The B1G in Recruiting

Let's look at our commitments from the B1G Conference states for 2013 and 2014 first: Leans are from the 247 Sports Crystal Ball feature. Stars are from Rivals.

2013

3* Jaleel Hytchye (Cincinnati), B1G offers: Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State and Purdue

4* Marcus McWilson (Youngstown), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska and Purdue

3* Kyle Meadows (West Chester, OH), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue

Does anyone see Ohio State and Michigan mentioned? Anyone?

2014

3* DE Tymere Dubose (Youngstown), B1G offers: Michigan St.

3* S Mike Edwards (Cincinnati), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin

3* LB Dorian Hendrix (Huber Heights, OH) B1G offers: Illinois and Indiana

4* RB Mikel Horton (West Chester, OH), B1G offers: Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue

3* OG Jarrett LaRubbio (Liberty Township, OH), B1G offers: Nebraska and Wisconsin

3* TE Darryl Long (Westerville, OH), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue

4* WR Thaddeus Snodgrass (Springfield, OH), B1G offers: Indiana, Michigan St., Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State , Purdue and Wisconsin.

4* DB Darius West (Lima, OH), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan St., Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin.

For all the forums posters, I mentioned Ohio State once and I just don't see how one recruit hurts the Buckeyes.

Meanwhile, Kentucky is competing for some commitments with the B1G. I should also mention that Kentucky has withdrawn some offers in Ohio. That will show up on the next Big Board update. Here's a list of players Kentucky is recruiting from the B1G states:

4 * LB Clifton Garrett (Joliet, IL), B1G offers: Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin. Ohio State Lean

4* WR Dominque Booth (Indianapolis), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan St., Purdue and Wisconsin. Tennessee Lean

3* LB Brandon Lee (Indianapolis), B1G offers: Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan St. , Minnesota and Purdue. Louisville Lean

2* OT Lukayus McNeil (Indianapolis), B1G offers: Indiana, Iowa, and Purdue. Indiana Lean

4* WR Austin Roberts (Carmel, IN), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan St., Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Purdue. Ohio State Lean

3* OT Frank Ragnow (Victoria, MN), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota. Minnesota Lean

3* OT Alex Bookser (Mt. Lebanon, PA), B1G offers: Michigan St., Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska. Pittsburgh Lean

4* DB Dravon Henry (Aliquippa, PA), B1G offers: Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Penn State or Pittsburgh 50-50

4*S Montae Nicholson (Monroeville, PA), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan St., Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Michigan Lean

3*OT John Bezney (Cincinnati), B1G offers: Wisconsin. Wisconsin Lean

3* OT Ja'merez Bowen (Cleveland), B1G offers: Indiana and Nebraska.

3* DT Daniel Cage (Cincinnati), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan St., Minnesota and Nebraska. Louisville Lean

4* ATH Marshon Lattimore(Cleveland), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State. Ohio State Lean

2*OG Martesse Patterson (Columbus), B1G offers: none.

3* OG Colt Pettit (Deshler, OH), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. Virginia Tech or Indiana 50-50

3* ATH Jay Jay Pinckney (Sylvania, OH), B1G offers: Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan St.

3* DE Terry Ramsey (Clayton, OH), B1G offers: Indiana, Michigan St., Minnesota and Nebraska. Kentucky Lean

4* OT Nick Richardson (Westerville, OH), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana and Michigan St. Kentucky Lean

3* OT Brady Taylor (Columbus), B1G offers: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Purdue. Kentucky Lean

3* DE Verdondtae Wilkinson (Trotwood, OH), B1G offers: Illinois and Indiana. Kentucky Lean

4* S Eric Smith (Cleveland), B1G offers: Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State. Ohio State Lean

Kentucky is also trying to flip Ohio State commitment Marcelys Jones. This 4* OG committed to Ohio State last Christmas Day. Kentucky offered him in March. If Vince Marrow can pull this off, then Kentucky fans might have something to brag about and Marrow should get the Congressional Medal of Honor or something.

You might understand why Michigan State is upset with Kentucky, but I would venture to say that Illinois and Indiana would also be justified in being upset. The fact that the Cats are offering some of the same players as Ohio State and Michigan does not mean that the Ohio State and Michigan coaches and fans are upset with Kentucky. They have bigger fish to worry about, like Alabama and Florida. Competing isn't the same as winning.

Read this Eleven Warriors piece about New Age Recruiting and you won't find a mention about Kentucky and you won't find any threads about Kentucky on the first page in their football forum. That's how much they are worried about Kentucky.

I suppose it is understandable that some fans can get carried away, but to say we have Ohio State worried just isn't true.