2019 Kentucky football recruiting preview: The defensive linemen
Recruiting defensive linemen is never easy but over the last two recruiting classes it seems like the Cats are raising the bar with more success up front.
Cats Illustrated takes a look at the top 2019 defensive linemen who should be hearing from Kentucky starting on September 1st. It's right around the corner.
Part I: Kentucky's top 2019 quarterback targets
Part II: Kentucky's top 2019 running back targets
Expect these Class of 2019 defensive linemen to hear from Kentucky starting on September 1st. All have already landed verbal offers from the Wildcats and Derrick LeBlanc has thoroughly evaluated each.
Since there are so many defensive linemen on the board, we'll break it up into the in-state and out-of-state prospects. First, the in-staters.
No, it's not likely that Kentucky will be able to flip Herron from Michigan or Lacey from Notre Dame. But in the case of in-state Rivals100 and Rivals250 recruits you have to try. Kentucky has rarely given up on in-state players this staff has interest in. In Weaver and Knight-Goff (although he could be an OLB) there are other in-state players worth pursuing. Weaver is originally from South Florida.
Kentucky has recruited South Florida defensive linemen well lately and for Brooks theirs is one of his better offers. Eaford, from Deerfield Beach, Fla., camped at Kentucky this summer. There will be plenty of competition for him.
Braylen Ingraham, from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard, is a Rivals250 prospect and teammates with UK commit Stanley Garner. He visited with Garner for a camp over the summer and participated, looking the part. Khris Bogle, of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons, visited Kentucky this summer as well.
Kentucky was the first Power Five school to offer Hunt and they're doing well with Michigan talent lately.
Sorrells might be committed to Florida but his recruitment has been interesting and he seems willing to visit Kentucky.
Kentucky and Minnesota are the first two Power Five schools to offer Hunter and it's never wise to sleep on Vince Marrow with his top targets in Ohio. That's one reason Carter is on this list. Plus, he goes to Pickerington Central, a school where Marrow has been successful in the past (Jaylin Bannerman). Cats Illustrated spotted Booker on crutches visiting Kentucky during camp season so his interest seems real. Given Kentucky's recent success in Cincinnati (Brendan Bates, Quintin Wilson), expect UK to try its hand with Jalen Thornton from Indian Hill.
Kentucky and Mississippi State are Lucas' first two SEC offers and he seems enamored with both.