Daido chooses a football future with Kentucky

It didn't get the publicity that the signed letters of intent did. Daido will be a preferred walk-on. But he picked Kentucky at the invitation of John Schlarman and the staff, so his future coaches believe he can make an impact on the program in the years ahead.

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Daido is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound wide receiver/tight end from Vienna (Va.) Oakton has never actually taken a visit to Kentucky.

"I visit the school in two weeks," Daido told Cats Illustrated this week. "On the 24th and 25th (of February)."

While he's never been to the school, Daido has heard plenty about the state. His father played football at Western Kentucky when he was in college. Because of that history with the Hilltoppers, he's just as excited for Daido's college future as his son is.

"My dad was a middle linebacker back in the 80's for Western Kentucky," Daido said. "He loved it. I was looking at Kentucky and he was happy because he goes up there all the time to visit. He lived there for a little bit and loves the state."

Daido didn't choose the preferred walk-on route at Kentucky until last Wednesday, on National Signing Day.

"I just thought it was the right time for me and for my family so I decided to become a Wildcat," Daido said.

The preferred walk-on offer arose "probably about a week and a half before Signing Day, on the 19th or 20th of January," Daido recalled.

Daido isn't sure when Schlarman and the UK staff first started evaluating him. But he had been in contact with recruiting assistant Josh Estes-Waugh, who had been in touch through e-mail.

"We were talking about my tape and I told him I have a really big interest in Kentucky. One day he told me he'd love to have me and he wanted me to become a Wildcat," Daido said.

Ole Miss, Syracuse and Charlotte were the other schools that had been in the most contact with Daido.

Last year at Oakton High School the Class of 2017 recruit played wide receiver. Oakton's starting quarterback was hurt in the first game and that impacting the program's passing game capability in a big way, but Daido still had around 30 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns.

Daido is expecting to play tight end, not receiver, at Kentucky.

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