Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats just enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history.
Is it about to lead to one of the school’s best recruiting classes in recent memory?
Currently, Kentucky’s 2019 class is one of the better hauls that Stoops and his staff have assembled in his six years in Lexington, highlighted by four-star recruits JJ Weaver, Travis Tisdale, Jared Casey and Moses Douglass.
However, Kentucky is looking to land three more four-star guys to finish this class. Four-star athlete/wide receiver Devonta Lee, four-star cornerback Marlin Devonshire and four-star cornerback Jay Ward are they guys who Kentucky is firmly in the running for heading into National Signing Day next Wednesday.
Now, Justin Rowland of Cats Illustrated is picking Kentucky to land all three recruits. If that comes to pass, it would easily be the biggest late signing haul Stoops has reeled in at Kentucky, and it would make for arguably his best overall class in Lexington.
For much of Lee’s recruitment, the LSU Tigers were viewed as the big favorite for Lee, and they were also thought to be the favorite for Ward, a one-time Kentucky pledge. The real worry for Kentucky here is Ward is still planning to visit Florida State this weekend, so don’t sleep on the Seminoles’ chances if he makes the trip.
As of late, Ward has been trending back toward Kentucky, but Lee was still expected to sign with LSU. While this prediction is far from a guarantee Lee signs with Kentucky, just being there right up until the end with a perennial powerhouse like LSU, one that annually produces multiple NFL Draft picks in the secondary, shows that Stoops and Kentucky
As for Devonshire, Kentucky has been trending with him in the 247 Sports crystal ball this week. The Aliquippa (PA) product is a four-star prospect at Rivals. Pittsburgh and West Virginia are viewed as the biggest threats to keep him from Kentucky.
If all three of Devonshire, Lee and Ward pick the Wildcats, that would give them seven players with a four-star rating in at least one recruiting service.