In-state defensive end J.J. Weaver reacts to UK visit, offer

Kentucky hosted several official visitors over the weekend and they're still in Lexington hearing what Mark Stoops' staff has to say right before the traditional February signing period.

But there were also a number of underclassmen in Lexington for the football program's first junior day of the 2019 recruiting cycle.

J.J. Weaver was one of the players in attendance and it was a big day for him, not only because of the visit but because he picked up an offer from the Wildcats.

Weaver is already regarded as one of the top players in the Commonwealth from the 2019 class and that means a little more this year because it's a class that's regarded as being stronger than usual.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound weakside defensive end from Louisville (Ky.) Moore is originally from Broward County in Florida, so he's not a Kentucky native but his offer from the Wildcats is a big moment of validation from one of the Power Five schools in his current home state.

"Coach Stoops told me and my parents to come in his office and he just talked to me and gave me the offer," Weaver told Cats Illustrated shortly after the Kentucky-Florida basketball game, the conclusion of which marked the end of a long junior day. "I was excited. The head coach gave me the offer so that's exciting."

While the visiting seniors occupied a lot of the coaches' time, Weaver felt the love while he was in town.

"I talked to the whole coaching staff," he said. ""UK is a beautiful and great place."

Weaver has not released a list of favorites to this point in his recruitment.