5/20/2016 football Edit

2018 Volunteer State defensive lineman exploding in popularity

Justin Rowland • CatsIllustrated

Publisher

Justin Rowland has been CatsIllustrated.com's publisher since 2015. He covered college football recruiting at programs nationwide for 15 years prior to that.

One recent Kentucky offer went to a player just south of the Commonwealth.

Jackson (Tenn.) Northside defensive lineman Greg Emerson is exploding in popularity, with his recent Kentucky offer as only one piece of the evidence.

Emerson with Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio on a visit to East Lansing

Only a sophomore, or a junior-to-be, the Class of 2018 prospect is already far advanced in terms of his physique. That's leading coaches everywhere, and particularly in the SEC, to believe that he can be a big-time player at the college level.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman is also prized for his versatility. He should be able to play a number of positions on the defensive line, and that's something Kentucky's coaches are always looking for.

Emerson also has offers from Tennessee, Texas A&M, Michigan State and Memphis.

His first offer was from the Spartans, and Emerson has visited East Lansing.