Breaking down all 13 of Kentucky football’s class of 2024 commits

It’s fair to say that Kentucky football’s 2024 recruiting class got off to a slow start. It’s also fair to say that this class could still ultimately go down as one of the better ones in the Mark Stoops era.

As things stand on Independence Day, the Wildcats have 13 commits locked in for the 2024 class. Up until the middle of May, there were only two rising high school seniors pledged to Kentucky. The addition of local four-star Cutter Boley helped grease the wheels though. Since June 11, UK has added 10 commits to the group — including two more four-stars over the weekend — with a handful of highly-talented prospects still in the sights.

In particular, Kentucky has its eyes on four big-name targets. Four-star EDGE Brian Robinson (No. 148 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking) is the big fish, followed by the likes of four-star ATH Jalewis Solomon (No. 230), four-star WR Hardley Gilmore (No. 289), and three-star RB Jason Patterson (No. 518). If Stoops and company can find a way to add all four, the worries surrounding this recruiting cycle from two months ago will look unwarranted.

But regardless of what happens with those four, Kentucky is still in good shape with this year’s bunch so far. Let’s briefly break down all 13 commits. But first, a word from our sponsor.

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Kentucky football’s 2024 recruiting class (No. 39 nationally)

*All player ratings are courtesy of the On3 Industry Ranking*

Cutter Boley (QB) 6-5, 200 | Lexington Christian Academy (Hogdenville, KY) –> Committed 5/18/23
4-star: No. 137 overall, No. 10 QB

The prize recruit from this cycle, Kentucky finally landed a top-tier QB out of high school for the first time in several years. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen played a significant role in keeping Boley, who reclassified to 2024 from 2025, in the Bluegrass State and away from Tennessee. Boley was a constant figure around the facilities during the month of June as he continues to build his relationship with Coen. His addition could pay dividends regarding Kentucky chance’s with other high-end recruits on the offensive side of the ball

Terhyon Nichols (CB) 5-11, 185 | Withrow (Cincinnati, OH) –> Committed 7/2/23
4-star: No. 241 overall, No. 25 CB

The most recent addition to the ’24 class prior to today, Nichols chose Kentucky over Michigan and Penn State. He also held offers from Ohio State and Alabama. Associate head coach Vince Marrow went into familiar recruiting territory and picked up a massive win with Nichols. He is the highest-ranked defensive back to choose UK in the Stoops era.

Elijah Groves (LB) 6-3, 210 | East Robertson (Cross Plains, TN) –> Committed 7/1/23
4-star: No. 369 overall, No. 35 LB

Committing a day before Nichols, Groves was an equally impactful addition. He received a massive bump in the rankings update right before he committed to UK too. Once considered a borderline three-star, Groves is now a bonafide four-star and a top 400 prospect in the country. Doubling as a star basketball and track and field athlete, he chose the ‘Cats over Purdue and NC State. Plucking Groves from the state of Tennessee was significant.

Jiquavious “Quavo” Marshall (ATH) 6-4, 180 | Westside (Macon, GA) –> Committed 6/21/23
3-star: No. 540 overall, No. 24 ATH

Known by his nickname “Quavo”, Marshall was lured to Lexington by defensive backs coach Chris Collins, who has been making a name for himself on the trail this offseason. Marshall, who shocked everyone with a surprise announcement, is listed as an ATH but is expected to play DB at Kentucky. Georgia Tech and Florida State were also after his services.

Tovani Mizell (RB) 6-1, 195 | Western (Fort Lauderdale, FL) –> Committed 6/21/23
3-star: No. 544 overall, No. 41 RB

After announcing his decision live on KSR, Mizell is likely to be a fan-favorite sooner rather than later. He’s already hyping up the future of the program with hopes of a national championship and was the first big add for new running backs coach Jay Boulware. Mizell wasn’t expecting to commit to UK shortly after his official visit in mid-June, but the staff made him right at home, celebrating his birthday and Father’s Day with his family while on the visit. The former Georgia commit chose the ‘Cats over North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Aba Selm (IOL) 6-4, 295 | Simon Kenton (Independence, KY) –> Committed 2/2/23
3-star: No. 617 overall, No. 45 IOL

The second committed player in the class, Selm continues to steadily rise up the rankings as one of the nation’s premier offensive linemen. The northern Kentucky product is one of four homegrown commits and also announced his decision live on KSR. Florida was rumored as a school looking to get him on campus post-commitment, but Selm is all the way locked in with the ‘Cats. He held offers from the likes of Louisville, Penn State, Missouri, and Illinois.

Caleb Redd (EDGE) 6-4, 220 | DeSmet (Saint Louis, MO) –> Committed 6/28/23
3-star: No. 889 overall, No. 64 EDGE

It came down to two different Wildcats for Caleb Redd, but he ultimately went with Kentucky over Kansas State. Safeties coach Frank Buffano led the way in this recruitment, dipping into Missouri for the first big recruiting win from that area in some time for the program. Southern California and Oklahoma were also keeping close tabs on Redd.

Willie Rodriguez (TE) 6-4, 225 | Covington Catholic (Covington, KY) –> Committed 6/23/23
3-star: No. 892 overall, No. 45 TE

Seen by many as an undervalued commitment in terms of his ranking, Rodriguez was a critical TE addition. His connection with Boley played a significant role in his landing with the ‘Cats. Rodriguez was beginning to hear more and more from the rest of the SEC prior to his decision, but Marrow ramped up the contact and was able to keep the northern Kentucky product in-state. Like Selm and Mizell, he also chose the ‘Cats live on KSR.

Antwan Smith (EDGE) 6-3, 195 | Westlake (Atlanta, GA) –> Committed 6/11/23
3-star: No. 1,017 overall, No. 75 EDGE

One of the most athletic EDGE recruits in the entire country, Smith kicked off the slew of commitments over the last few weeks. He picked UK over the likes of Vanderbilt, NC State, and Duke. Following an official visit in early June, Smith wasted no time making his decision. He expects to fill out as an off-ball linebacker once he gets to campus. Smith has recently posted a time of 10.65 in the 100-meter dash.

Hayes Johnson (OT) 6-3, 295 | Taylor County (Campbellsville, KY) –> Committed 1/26/23
3-star: No. 1,069 overall, No. 80 OT

The very first commit for Kentucky’s 2024 class, Johnson was destined to play for the ‘Cats. Growing up in Taylor County, he’s been a member of the Big Blue Nation since birth. His calls into KSR (one of which was his commitment) have already made him a fan favorite. Johnson held additional offers from the likes of Baylor, Tennessee, Louisville, and Michigan State, but it was always going to be hard to pull him away from Lexington.

Jadon Lafontant (IOL) 6-4, 315 | Brunswick School (Old Greenwich, CT) –> Committed 6/19/23
3-star: No. 1,228 overall, No. 100 IOL

The lone commit from the northeast, Lafontant took five official visits in June but fell in love with the Wildcats. He also visited Pittsburgh, Boston College, Duke, and Vanderbilt. Coen and wide receivers coach Scott Woodward are familiar with the area and see something special in the 315-pound lineman out of Connecticut.

Quaysheed “Q” Scott (ATH) 6-0, 185 | Marion (Marion, SC)
Unranked

The newest addition to this group, Scott chose Kentucky on Tuesday over a group of non-Power 5 programs. That being said, he shined during a June camp at UK — clocking a 4.4-second 40-yard dash on the laser — and impressed the coaches enough to be considered a take. Scott will be a project piece once he arrives on campus, but the staff saw enough potential to take a chance.

Jacob Kauwe (K/P) 6-2, 200 | Billings West (Billings, MT) –> Committed 6/20/23
Unranked

Along with coaching the running backs, Boulware was also brought in to aid with special teams. He immediately made his mark with the addition of Montana native Kauwe, who is considered a five-star kicker and punter by the folks over at Kohl’s Kicking. His recruitment began to blow up in the weeks leading up to his commitment as he took visits to the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon State, Duke, and Montana State (which also offered). He’s a self-proclaimed kicker at heart and earned a full-ride scholarship to suit up for the ‘Cats.

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