Monday Morning UK Recruiting Update

The Fab Five from Stone Mountain, GA visited UK this weekend and from all reports, the visit went well. Currently the Cats have commitments from Raymond Sanders (one of my favorites in the entire class), Jabari Johnson (LB) and Ronnie Shields (TE).

The other two players from Stephenson High School who visited were Michael Thornton and Chris Sharpe. Obviously, Thornton has an offer on the table and the staff told Chris Sharpe they would know about a possible offer with in 3-4 days. My guess is there is a player or two currently committed that may not qualify and the Cats are going to pull the offer.

UK has already started a pipeline to Stephenson High School, but if they land all five players, it would be an amazing accomplishment! Everyone wants to know about Michael Thornton. My guess is that his teammates and coaches will have to help sell him on UK. Look for Auburn, Georgia and even USC to stay after him. Thornton would be one of the best recruits in recent years to sign with the Cats if he inks on February 3rd.

One of the more interesting stories of the weekend is with recruit Alex Smith (Cincinnati, OH). Smith was once committed to Cincinnati and then decommitted and chose UNC over UK. With him being on campus it shows there is still interest and I wouldn't rule out another change of heart in his recruitment.

Also, Maudrecus Humphrey committed to Arkansas over the weekend. I was not surprised based on his comments after visiting Arkansas. Right now, Arkansas has the upper hand on selling receivers to their program with Petrino and Mallett. Jerrell Priester and Sam Gibson are still UK targets and the Cats could offer Duncan McGriff (Juco, Dean CC).

There is still no word on an additional running back in the 2010 class. The Cats really seem to want DJ Howard or Rajaan Bennett. I don't think Bennett signs with UK, his recruitment has been too hot and cold. I think Tennessee gets Bennett in the end and the Cats either sign Howard or Miles Simpson.

Joker Phillips and David Turner are on the road visiting recruits. Based on reports, the staff is headed to Atlanta to see offensive lineman Tim Wynn. Wynn is another All-State prospect the Cats have their eyes on. While Joker is in Georgia, look for him to make an in-home visit to Michael Thornton as well. If the Cats really want him, they need to sell the family as well. Joker and Turner were also going to visit Brice Laughlin at his home yesterday.

Yesterday I spoke with both Brice Laughlin (UK Commit) and Jerrell Priester (UK Recruit). Both are great young men and will be great additions to UK and in Priester's case (UK or Vandy). I think the staff will need to either make an in-home with Priester or get his family on campus as they haven not been to Lexington.

Signing Day is next week. We will host a live blog on this site with a couple of very familiar names surrounding UK football on Wednesday of this week.