Big visit coming up for Stephens

Jabreel Stephens has a big visit to Kentucky coming up this weekend.

It's his first and probably his only summer visit, and that's significant. Cats Illustrated caught up with the athletic defensive end for a full preview of what's in store.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive end from Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson claims offers from Kentucky, Arizona, Cal, Louisville, Maryland, South Florida and several others, so he's got plenty of Power Five options - and a diverse set of them from all across the country.

Darin Hinshaw, Kentucky's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, visited Jefferson High School earlier this year during an evaluation period. While there he checked up on Stephens, so the Cats have had interest in the 2017 prospect for quite a while.

"He's a good coach," Stephens told Cats Illustrated, referring to Hinshaw. "He's easy to communicate with."

But Hinshaw is just one reason for Stephens' interest in Kentucky.

"It's a big school in a big-time conference," he said.

Kentucky is Stephens' lone SEC offer, even if plenty of others have offered the three-star prospect. That seems to matter to him.

"I did hear about the new facilities they built so I'm excited to see those," Stephens told Cats Illustrated. "I'm just going to be up there and looking around, seeing what it's all about. I'll be going up with my family."

Stephens said he has not visited any other schools this summer.

How much interest would he say that he's got in the Cats?

"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I'll have an opinion about it once I visit," Stephens said.

When asked whether he plans to wait on a decision and take official visits after his senior season begins, Stephens said he wasn't sure yet.