BEST IN CLASS: Kentucky's top commitments in the 2017 class
National Signing Day is almost here. We've covered Kentucky's entire class for months.
We've followed high school action, talked to coaches, watched film, monitored at camps, observed at combines.
Rankings aside, here's Cats Illustrated's Best in Class rankings: Our best stab as Kentucky's top 10 commitments from the 2017 class, bearing in mind that Signing Day developments could cause a shakeup.
Rank: 10th (tie). Koback's injury introduces a bit of uncertainty with regard to his first year but nobody produced more when they played - literally, nobody in the entire country. Koback's speed alone earns him a spot on this list, although his work ethic, habits and character increase the likelihood that he'll make it as a contributor in Lexington.
Rank: 10th (tie). Dotson has a ways to go in pass protection but his sheer size, his power, his frame and the overall foundation he has to build off makes him a good choice on this list. He's not an instant impact player but he doesn't need to be. He's going to be massive and incremental improvement should allow him to be a multi-year starter in the SEC eventually.
Rank: 9th. Nesbitt has outstanding length at cornerback and he backpedals very well especially for a player his size. He was very impressive at Sunday Night Lights and he had some other big-time offers to choose from. He should be a starting cornerback at Kentucky one day.
Rank: 8th. It's going to be tough for Johnson to make the overall contribution that the others on this list do, but that's not why he's here. Johnson is among UK's most impressive commitments because, even with only two years of eligibility, he's a receiver with elite athleticism playing in the secondary. It might take him a little while to hit his stride, and once he does he won't have much time remaining at UK, but purely in terms of the athleticism and skill upon arrival - and readiness to play early - Johnson is intriguing.
Rank: 7th. Bohanna was exceptionally disruptive as a pass rushing defensive tackle and he also played the run very well for a dominant Cordova (Tenn.) defense. He can provide the kind of penetration on the interior that Kentucky has sometimes been lacking. He has great size and is just starting to realize his potential.
Rank: 6th. Wright is a great athlete whether he's at defensive end or tight end. He'll play the former at Kentucky where his length and closing speed make him a terror rushing the passer off the edge. His basketball skill set is apparent on the football field and he moves like very few players his size.
Rank: 5th. Epps is one of the biggest sleepers in this class. He's new to football but the game comes so naturally to him. He hails from an outstanding Jenks program in Oklahoma. His blend of size and fluidity, before he catches the ball and after he's got it, make him a potential game breaker at receiver in the SEC.
Rank: 4th. Richardson has a ceiling that's as high as any player's in this class. He has unbelievable size and incredible athleticism and explosiveness for that size.
Rank: 3rd: Corker has more than adequate size in the secondary. He's also physical, can play press coverage and can match up with bigger receivers. He's a big-time defensive back in the making.
Rank: 2nd. Paschal has everything you look for in a defensive lineman. He's got good size for an end, he's strong and plays with a good motor. He's a high character kid and will be a good presence in the locker room. He's very athletic for his size. It's very difficult to imagine him not as a major contributor at Kentucky.
Rank: 1st. Bowden is a do-it-all threat who should have been in the conversation for the best football player in Ohio. He's an early impact guy and a high ceiling prospect simultaneously. He fills a need, he brings a needed swagger, and it's tough to see him not having major success at Kentucky if he stays focused.
