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How Kentucky Football’s Recruiting Class Ranks Two Weeks Out Of National Signing Day

Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked in the top 25 overall.

Mark Stoops and Kentucky football have built themselves quite the recruiting class for 2025.

Per On3’s Industry Recruiting Rankings, Kentucky has the 23rd ranked 2025 football recruiting class in the country.

This bodes well for the team, as Kentucky is just two weeks out of National Signing Day. The team could still pick up a few more recruits, which would add to a class that is already two slots above last year’s ranking (25th).

While the Wildcats don’t have a single 5-star recruit in On3’s system, they did have a handful of four-star prospects that boosted their ranking: runningback Marquise Davis, safety Martels Carter, cornerback Andrew Purcell, edge rusher Cedric Works, offensive tackle Darrin Strey, and defensive linemen Kalen Edwards and Javeon Campbell.

Related: Kentucky rolls past Murray State

While the ranking bodes well nationally, it does need to be put into perspective.

Kentucky is ranked 23rd overall in the country — but sits at just 12th out of 16 SEC teams. Only Florida (24th), Mississippi State (28th), Arkansas (31st), and Vanderbilt (64th) are behind them.

But that’s the danger of playing in the SEC. The Wildcats would rank 7th in the BIG 10, 4th in the ACC, and 2nd in the BIG 12, only trailing Nebraska (19th).

With two weeks to go until National Signing Day on December 4th, the Wildcats will have a chance to continue bolstering their recruiting class.

Will Levis sets a record for former Kentucky quarterbacks in the NFL

Quarterback Will Levis set a record for the longest pass by a former Kentucky player in the NFL.

Former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, now with the Tennessee Titans, completed the longest touchdown pass by a Wildcat football alumni in NFL history.

Down 16-3 in the third quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Levis found wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine thirty yards downfield. The receiver beat his man, and streaked up the sideline for a touchdown.

The pass ended up going for 98 yards, which was the longest completed by a former Kentucky quarterback in NFL history.

Related: Where SEC football is at in latest US LBM Coaches Poll

Beyond Kentucky, it was important in a few other respects as well. For one, it tied for the longest pass in Titans history — matching Jacky Lee’s 98-yard touchdown throw to Willard Dewveall from Nov. 25, 1962. It is also the longest passing touchdown in the NFL so far this season.

Although the Titans still lost 23-13, the pass still showed some of the promise Levis displayed at Kentucky that got him drafted.

The Titans took Levis with the first pick of the second round (33rd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. Although he hasn’t yet looked like a premium NFL quarterback, Levis has had a few flashes in the pan — like with Sunday’s touchdown.

Levis transferred to Kentucky in 2021 after spending his first two years at Penn State. He appeared in 24 games between 2021-2022 for the Wildcats, throwing for 5,233 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Latest AP Poll reveals much about Kentucky’s bowl chances

Kentucky football remains unranked in the AP poll, and needs two more wins to be bowl eligible.

Kentucky Football is staring down a significant battle for a bowl game following — especially considering the most recent AP Poll.

Nobody should be shocked that Kentucky football wasn’t ranked in week 13’s poll. The Wildcats haven’t been ranked all season, and sit at 4-6 on the year after Saturday’s 48-6 win over Murray State.

The real question surrounds bowl eligibility. With two games left this year, Kentucky has to win out to make a bowl game. For the Wildcats, this might be an uphill battle as they’re set to face off against two tough opponents over these final two weeks.

This upcoming Saturday, November 23, marks a matchup for the Wildcats in Austin. Kentucky is set to travel to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium for a matchup against the third-ranked Texas Longhorns.

Related: Seven SEC teams ranked in latest Coaches Poll

Texas is a national title contender, sitting at 9-1. Their only loss came earlier this year against the eighth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

They’ll follow up that tough matchup with a rivalry week game in Lexington. The Wildcats are set to host Louisville in Lexington on Saturday, November 30.

Although unranked following a 38-25 heartbreaker to Stanford over the weekend, Louisville is still an upper-class college football team. They were ranked l9th last week prior to the loss, and still received fifteen top-25 votes in week 13’s poll.

With Kentucky needing to win out against the two, the Wildcats might need a miracle to make a bowl game this year.

Kentucky rolls over Murray State to break their losing streak

Kentucky football broke a four-game losing streak with a win over Murray State.

Coming into Saturday, Kentucky football had lost four consecutive games, and had mostly not even been competitive. After the bye week, the Wildcats got a little help from the schedule with Football Championship Subdivision opponent Murray State coming to town.

The Wildcats opened the game with a deep touchdown pass by Brock Vandagriff to get out in front, and they never looked back. They would lead 24 – 0 at halftime.

Related: Kentucky loses 2025 wide receiver recruit

In the second half, Cutter Boley would take over at quarterback, and would get the same result. He would throw for two more scores, and Kentucky would wind up winning by a score of 48 – 6.

Jamarion Wilcox had a big day for the Cats with 123 rushing yards and a touchdown. Vandagriff finished with 183 yard passing and two scores.

Up next for Kentucky is a must-win game against the Texas Longhorns. A loss will officially end their chances at making a ninth straight bowl game.

Staff predictions for week 12 matchup between Kentucky and Murray St

Here are the UKWildcatsWire staff predictions for Kentucky’s matchup with Murray State on Saturday.

Kentucky football came into the 2024 season with two bye weeks on the schedule. They went into the first bye week with momentum, having beaten a ranked Ole Miss team. Their second bye came this past weekend. In between, it was all bad, with the Wildcats going 0 – 4.

On Saturday, Kentucky looks to end the losing streak and keep their fading bowl game hopes alive against Murray State. The Racers are the third non-conference opponent for the Cats this year. Kentucky easily won the other two they’ve played so far.

Related: Week eleven SEC football power rankings

Murray St is having a rough season as well. They enter Saturday’s game with only one win and nine losses. Their defense has had an especially troublesome year, as they currently rank dead last in the Football Championship Subdivision in scoring defense, giving up 45 points per game.

So, will Kentucky get the win? Here are the predictions from the UKWildcatsWire staff:

Vance Meek – Lead Writer

Despite the recent losing streak, Kentucky has all the advantages against Murray State. Even with some injuries, they’re the more talented team, and they should win the game. The question is whether or not they’ll look good doing it.

The Racers defense is bad, and though Kentucky has struggled on offense, they did score points in their non-conference games. This should be a nice game to gain some momentum for their game against the Texas Longhorns.

Kentucky 34 – Murray St 13

Connor O’Bryan – Contributor

The Wildcats are having a down year, but they’re still miles past Murray State. Book a comfortable win for Kentucky.

Kentucky 24 – Murray St 14

A 2025 wide receiver has decommitted from Kentucky football

Wide receiver Ja’kayden Ferguson has decommitted from Kentucky football.

It has been a solid recruiting year for Mark Stoops and Kentucky football as they put together their 2025 class. So far, they have a very good class, ranked in the top 25. However, they did recently lose one of their commitments when wide receiver Ja’kayden Ferguson chose to re-open his recruitment.

Ferguson is a 6’1″, 160 lb receiver out of Texas. He is ranked as the number 514 player overall in the class and the number 43 athlete by 247sports. He’s rated three stars as well.

Related: Week eleven SEC football power rankings

The speedy Ferguson originally committed to Kentucky on June 16th, just after a visit with the Wildcats. He recently took a visit with the LSU Tigers, the announced his decommitment from Kentucky a few days later.

Kentucky still has three wide receivers committed for 2025. Quintin Simmons, Preston Bowman, and Montavin Quisenberry are all rated three stars and are set to be Wildcats next season.

Good luck to Ja’kayden Ferguson wherever he ends up.

Kentucky football schedule: Are the Wildcats playing today?

Is TEAM playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come.

Week eleven of the college football season is today, and there are a lot of SEC football teams in action. The headliners are the Georgia Bulldogs taking on Ole Miss and the Alabama Crimson Tide playing the LSU Tigers.

Will Kentucky football be on the field today in Week 11 of the College football schedule?

Related: Maxwell Hairston could return after bye week

Following a 28 – 18 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, the Wildcats are on a bye week and will return to the field on November 16th.

Kentucky’s next opponent is Murray State, and it’s a good chance to break a four game losing streak. The Racers are 1 – 8 on the season, and the Cats will have a clear talent advantage.

Kentucky 2024 schedule

Week 1: vs Southern Miss (W, 31-0)
Week 2: vs. South Carolina (L, 31-6)
Week 3: vs. Georgia (L, 13-12)
Week 4: vs. Ohio (W, 41-6)
Week 5: at Ole Miss (W, 20-17)
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: vs Vanderbilt (L, 20-13)
Week 8: at Florida (L, 48-20)
Week 9: vs Auburn (L, 24-10)
Week 10: at Tennessee (L, 28-18)
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs Murray State
Week 13: at Texas
Week 14: vs Louisville
Record: 3 – 6

Kentucky could get a huge boost with a returning player after the bye

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston appears ready to return to the Kentucky lineup after the bye week.

There’s no doubt that the 2024 season has not been what Kentucky football envisioned, either by fans or the team. It’s also clear that injuries to multiple key players has played a big part in the way things have gone.

However, the Wildcats could be getting some good news in that department after the bye. One key player appears set to return to the lineup.

Head coach Mark Stoops has said that he expects cornerback Maxwell Hairston to be in the lineup against Murray State when the team returns from the bye week. He has missed multiple games with a shoulder injury.

Related: Deone Walker in first round of recent mock drafts

Hairston was one of the stars of the team heading into the season. He was a preseason award nominee, and many thought he could be one of the better cornerbacks, not just in the SEC, but in the country.

A shoulder injury caused him to miss Kentucky’s last five games. His return would be a huge boost to a defense that has struggled in recent weeks without him.

Kentucky’s Deone Walker still a first round pick in two NFL mock drafts

Kentucky’s Deone Walker is a projected first round draft pick in two new NFL mock drafts.

Kentucky football is not having the season they wanted or expected. After their loss to their loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in week ten, they’re 3 – 6 on the year, and have lost four straight.

They do, however, have some players who have performed well, and guys who are legitimate NFL Draft prospects. One of those is massive defensive lineman Deone Walker, who is projected to be an early pick by most analysts.

Related: Kentucky must win three straight to make a bowl game

Walker had a coming out party in 2023, displaying quickness and pass rush ability that don’t normally come with a guy that’s 345 lbs. He’s not having the same statistical season this year, but he’s still a potential first round pick, and two recent mock drafts, still have him there.

CBS Sports

CBS draft anaylist Chris Trapasso projects Walker to be selected 28th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s what he said about the pick:

The Vikings add an enormous and athletic defensive tackle to make life easier for their outside rushers in Brian Flores’ blitz-obsessed scheme.

Bleacher Report

The Bleacher Report scouting team also put together a new mock draft and are a little higher on Walker. They have him being selected 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers.

The Green Bay Packers might be the ideal landing spot for Walker. Kenny Clark, who turns 30 next season, could serve as a mentor for him. Meanwhile, T.J. Slaton is a free agent after this season. Walker could be worked into the rotation as he learns to be a professional.

Meet the teams Kentucky has to beat to make a bowl game

Kentucky football must win each of their remaining three games to make it to a ninth straight bowl game.

There was a lot of promise coming into the 2024 Kentucky football season. The roster had a lot of veteran leadership, a former five-star quarterback, and elite talents on the defensive side of the ball, including Deone Walker, a projected first round draft pick.

However, after beating Ole Miss to get to 3 – 2, things have gone downhill. Injuries have mounted and they haven’t gotten the play they hoped for under center. The Wildcats have lost four straight games, and are barely clinging to hopes of making a ninth straight bowl game.

Related: Week 10 SEC football power rankings

At 3 – 6, Kentucky now has to win each of their last three game, but it is a daunting task. Here are the games they have remaining:

Murray State

After their upcoming bye week, the Cats get an opponent they should beat. Murray State is 1 – 8 on the year, and losers of six straight. Kentucky has played well against non-conference foes this year, and they should win this one.

Texas

The Longhorns are one of the best teams in the country, and are the biggest obstacle remaining. Led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, Texas can put up points in a hurry, and if Kentucky is to have a chance, they’ll need to not only play their best defensively, but they’ll have to score some points, which hasn’t been their strong suit.

Louisville

The Wildcats have won six of the last seven matchups with Louisville, but anything can happen in this in-state rivalry. Louisville stands at 6 – 3 currently, and they just beat a good Clemson Tigers team. This will be a big game, even if Kentucky is out of bowl contention.