The Kentucky Wildcats' strong recruiting success in Ohio continued in the 2016 class thanks to the signings of two of the state's best offensive weapons.
Running back Benny Snell committed to UK back in February not long after the 2015 class was finalized. He's one of the top prospects from the Buckeye state while holding offers from the likes of Iowa and Cincinnati among others.
Asim A.J. Rose was one of the state's top athletes while accounting for 22 scores his final year of high school while splitting time at running back and quarterback. He garnered offers from Iowa and Minnesota among others and is expected to stick to running back at UK.
Here are their UK profiles and highlights along with quotes from Mark Stoops.
Benny Snell, Running Back, 5-11, 220, Fr.-HS, Westerville, Ohio (Westerville Central) Three-star recruit who ranks in the top 50 running backs nationally by every major recruiting service ... Rated as the No. 41 running back nationally and No. 27 junior in Ohio by 247sports ... Rivals ranks him the No. 38 prospect in Ohio ... Helped lead Westerville Central to two Ohio Capital Conference titles, three straight Division I playoff appearances and an overall 35-6 record during his prep career ... Totaled 1,826 rushing yards, 264 yards receiving and 29 touchdowns as a senior ... Ran for 241 yards on 20 carries with three touchdowns in a single game ... Named OCC Cardinal Division Player of the Year and AP All-Central District Offensive Player of the Year ... Two-time first-team All-Central District and Division I All-Ohio ... Earned an invitation to the 2016 Ohio High Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic ... Equally impressive his junior season when he compiled 2,077 rushing yards, 291 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns (26 rushing and two receiving) ... Coached by John Magistro ... Chose UK over Iowa, Cincinnati, Boston College, Toledo and West Virginia.
Asim A.J. Rose, Running Back, 6-1, 200, Fr.-HS, Cleveland, Ohio (Garfield Heights) A 3-star, versatile athlete who is rated the No. 34 athlete in Ohio by 247sports ... Stepped in for an injured teammate at quarterback and passed for 616 yards and 10 touchdowns, while running 94 times for 770 yards and 12 scores ... Earned an invitation to the 2016 Ohio High Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic ... Named to the Northeast Ohio Conference All-Lake Division first team as a junior after leading his team to a conference championship and a Division II playoff appearance ... Coached by Chuck Reisland who said "He's got tremendous size and he's going to get bigger. He runs track and played basketball. He's just a very talented player and a great athlete ..." Has been involved with the Boy Scouts for 13 years, earning his Eagle Scout in 2014 ... Picked UK over Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota.