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DeMarco Artis commits to Kentucky Wildcats Football

UK scores a big commitment in the 2017 class.

By Jason Marcum
Eleven Warriors

It didn't take long for the Kentucky Wildcats to pick up a commitment after parting ways with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson earlier Thursday.

Losing a coordinator can often result in decommitments, and while that still may happen, UK did quite the opposite Thursday. Not long after Dawson was relieved of his duties, the Cats picked up a big commitment in the Class of 2017 in the form of three-star outside linebacker DeMarco Artis, per his Twitter:

Artis, who hails from Seminole High School in Florida, committed to UK while holding offers from Florida Atlantic and North Carolina. He's also received interest from Ohio State, whom he visited for the Buckeyes' Friday Night Lights recruiting event and put on an impressive showing.

The Cats offered Artis, who comes in at 6-3 and 212 pounds, back in June as he's now part of a seven-man 2017 class that's shaping up to be another solid haul for Mark Stoops and co. His 247 Sports profile lists UK running backs coach Chad Scott as being the primary recruiter.

Here are some of Artis' junior season highlights, which have him playing at tight end and defensive end:

UK will have needs at both defensive end and outside linebacker in 2017. Courtney Miggins will have graduated after playing at end in UK's hybrid defense this past season. Sam backer Jason Hatcher will also play his final season next year and leave a big void to be filled there.

Rivals.com's Justin Rowland got some quotes from Artis on his commitment to the Cats, but Artis does say he's not spoke with the UK staff yet:

"Not tonight. I was just talking with my dad about it and decided this was the right choice," Artis said. "Honestly ever since they first offered I've been leaning towards them, mostly for the fact that they're an upcoming program. I've heard the education program at Kentucky is way over the standard and at the end of the day it's all about getting an education. The football program's up and coming. The football coaches have showed me a lot of love."

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