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In a time it takes to assemble a full recruiting class, it’s easy to forget about the guys who commit early.
Back in March of last year, JaVonte Richardson announced his commitment to Kentucky, making him easily the biggest pledge for UK at the time.
Now almost a full year later, Richardson is now signed with the Cats, and he’s still one of their biggest gets not just in this class, but the Mark Stoops era.
Richardson is ranked 114th overall and the fifth-best athlete by Rivals.com. 247 ranks him 287th overall and the 12th-best player from Ohio. He held offers from Michigan, Illinois and Syracuse among others.
Here is Richardson’s official UK bio:
Javonte Richardson, Wide Receiver, 6-4, 230, Fr-HS, Maple Heights, Ohio (Maple Heights) – Four-star recruit who thrived as a wide receiver and safety for Coach Devlin Dulliver at Maple Heights… ESPN.com ranks him the 12th-best player in the state of Ohio and 24th-best wide receiver in the 2017 class … ESPN scouting report says, “(Javonte) is tall with great length and good bulk. Possesses good foot quickness. Very good route runner who can separate in man and find soft spots in zone. Has strong hands, good leaping ability and the body control to make difficult catches. Fearless over the middle and powers through arm tackles. Willing blocker in the run game” … Rivals ranks him as the No. 84 recruit in the entire class of 2017 and the No. 2 recruit in Ohio … Rated as the 31st best wide receiver in the class of 2017 by 247Sports … Compiled 1,190 all-purpose yards with eight touchdowns as a senior … Also returned kicks … Three-time Lake Erie League all-star … Nominated for the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Finished with 38 receptions for 504 total yards and seven TDs as a junior despite battling a back injury … Also had eight interceptions on defense … Earned honorable mention to the AP Northeast Ohio Lakes District Team in 2015… An all-around athlete who also lettered in track and basketball at Maple Heights … Chose Kentucky over offers from Michigan and Michigan State … Name pronounced “Javonte (Jay-VEE-on-tay)”
Coach Stoops says: “Javonte has physicality and speed. He also has the size and aggressiveness we look for in an SEC wide receiver.”