Kentucky trending for more top targets after landing 4-star RB Marquise Davis

Mark Stoops‘ May got off to a great start on Wednesday morning, as Kentucky landed a surprise commitment from Cleveland Heights four-star running back Marquise Davis.

The Wildcats beat out Michigan for the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder, who checks in as the No. 7 RB in the 2025 On300. Davis is now the centerpiece pledge for UK’s 2025 class.

Kentucky was in Davis’ top two schools, but the decision to come off the board caught most off guard. The Wolverines had began to trend in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but ultimately the Cats’ recent success in the backfield, as well as the coaching staff and culture in Lexington won out.

“Well, (Davis) told me it’s the way they use their running backs, all aspects. He says it’s just like the NFL, so he sees an opportunity to be prepared to play at the highest level,” On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong said on the Wiltfong Whiparound.

“Then Kentucky, they’ve traditionally recruited the state of Ohio very well under Coach Stoops, Vince Marrow is one of the best recruiters in America. He was the lead guy on it, Jay Boulware — running backs coach, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and then certainly Coach Stoops involved. He visited Michigan and Kentucky a lot here and it’s Kentucky winning out.”

Kentucky’s 2025 class now features six commits and ranks No. 27 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. According to Wiltfong, the Cats are also trending for a few more top targets and look to be in line to bolster their pledge list.

Kentucky could clean up with in-state targets

Wiltfong logged three picks in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine earlier this week following UK’s addition of Davis. Two of those picks are for two of the top players in Kentucky this cycle: Paducah Tilghman four-star safety Martels Carter and Frankfort Western Hills four-star EDGE Javeon Campbell.

Carter is a top-200 recruit and the top-ranked player in the Bluegrass State, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Oregon, Clemson, Tennessee and Auburn are also in the mix, but the Cats currently sit in pole position.

“Source says Kentucky is still the one to beat for Martels Carter,” Wiltfong said.

Campbell is an On3 outlier, as he checks in at No. 136 overall and No. 12 at his position in the 2025 On300. Some heavy-hitters are also involved in his recruitment, and official visits could tell the tale before Campbell makes a decision, but Wiltfong likes where UK sits in this race as well.

“6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he’s also high on Ohio State, Auburn, Alabama and Georgia, among others. All four of those programs and Kentucky are going to get an official visit in June,” he said. “A source close to Campbell says Kentucky is the one to beat going into those official visits and it’s a place where they feel is an opportunity to get the best out of him. A place that will be the most invested in him.”

Cats could add another Cleveland product to the mix

Stoops and Marrow continue to hold their own and then some when it comes to recruiting the state of Ohio. Landing Davis is yet another example of that. Another Cleveland recruit could join the class down the road, too.

Gilmour Academy three-star tight end Brody Lennon is a top-25 player in the state. He was in Lexington at the end of March and is set to return for an official visit on June 14. Marrow is on the case and that could be enough to put the Cats over the top in the end.

“Same place as Marquise Davis, Vince Marrow once again leading the charge for Kentucky,” Wiltfong said. “They’re battling Penn State and Pittsburgh for Brody Lennon, but source indicates that Kentucky is the one to beat right now for him.”

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