Cats make a big move with defensive end from Tennessee

Kentucky's 5-0 start (and 3-0 in the SEC) is causing a whole new batch of football prospects to take notice.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School defensive end Jay Hardy is one player who hadn't thought about Kentucky a lot before, but now the Wildcats are front and center on his mind.

The three-star prospect, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from the Class of 2020, made a trip to Lexington to watch the Cats take on and beat the Gamecocks on Saturday. Hardy spoke with Cats Illustrated after that visit and the offer that he picked up from Kentucky's coaches.

"I like the campus a lot at UK," Hardy told Cats Illustrated. "The facilities are great. My favorite part (of the visit) was probably the Cat Walk and seeing how much the fans loved the players and the environment was crazy.

"UK is playing great this year. Josh Allen, number 41, is a beast. I love his game," Hardy said.

"Coach Dean Hood recruited me out of Chattanooga. I'm glad he gave me a chance and he showed me to the coaching staff. I also had a great time with Coach (Derrick) LeBlanc and Coach (Brad) White."

Hardy said he has visited Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt so far this football season.

"My favorites are Kentucky and Vanderbilt so far," Hardy told Cats Illustrated.