Ranking Kentucky's top five recruiting needs between now and February
Kentucky has already filled roughly 80-percent of its 2018 football recruiting class, thanks to the early signing period and some good work on the part of Mark Stoops' coaching staff.
But there are still several spots left to fill.
What are the program's most important need areas between now and the traditional February signing period?
1. Wide Receiver
Need (1-10): 9
Why help is wanted: Kentucky appeared poised to land signatures from Shocky Jacques-Louis and Meechi Harris before the former signed with Pitt and the latter decommitted before signing with Cincinnati. The late addition of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard receiver Bryce Oliver, paired with signatures from Marvin Alexander and Akeem Hayes, certainly helps. But Kentucky will also be losing Kayaune Ross either this offseason or next, Dorian Baker after 2018 and Tavin Richardson after 2019. Beyond that there are very young, largely unproven players on the outside from the '17 and '18 classes and several capable and promising slots. Kentucky would do well to land one or two other outside receivers, which is why it's not a surprise they're still targeting Dominick Watt and now LiAllen Dailey.
2. Running Back
Need: 7
Why help is wanted: Kentucky's numbers at running back were just fine before Bryant Koback's decision to transfer to a school closer to home. Now they're in a position where they almost have to add a second running back to complement Chris Rodriguez, who has already signed, to the 2018 class. Benny Snell will be a junior next season and it's entirely possible he could opt to forego his final season of eligibility next offseason. The Cats are already set to lose Sihiem King after 2018. That would leave only A.J. Rose, who still has three years of eligibility remaining, and Rodriguez. To keep a healthy long-term depth forecast, more than any critical need for next season, the Wildcats should add another. They're fortunate to have a quality option like Kavosiey Smoke reciprocating interest at this late stage in the game.
3. Linebacker
Need: 6
Why help is wanted: Had Xavier Peters signed with Kentucky in the early period (that's a complicated situation) the need would be less here. It's true that Kentucky has a nice young corps of talented backups who should be poised to fill the void left by Jordan Jones, Denzil Ware and Josh Allen after 2018. But those will be big shoes to fill. Jamin Davis, Boogie Watson, Kash Daniel, Eli Brown, DeAndre Square and Ashtan Pierre should make the coaching staff feel pretty good about the unit's future, but if Kentucky keeps Peters on board and adds Chris Oats that would be a fantastic finish and the unit would be poised for more good seasons ahead.
4. Defensive Line
Need: 5
Why help is wanted: For starters, recruiting defensive linemen is a never-ending effort. Not just at Kentucky, but everywhere. You don't turn away good players up front. Kentucky does have a lot of numbers on the defensive line, both for next year and longer-term. If Marquan McCall stick on defense, paired with Davoan Hawkins and Jerquavion Mahone, that's a high-quality core from the 2018 class. But there is a reason Kentucky is still recruiting Arkansas commit John Mincey and would be open to others. You just can't slow down when it comes to recruiting here.
5. Defensive Back
Need: 5
Why help is wanted: It should be noted that there are plenty of young, promising players in the pipeline here: Jordan Griffin and Davonte Robinson, who will play a lot this year, plus younger players like Yusuf Corker, Michael Nesbitt, Tobias Gilliam, Domonique Williams, Stanley Garner and Jamari Brown. But there will be a huge exodus of talent after the 2018 season when Derrick Baity, Chris Westry, Darius West, Mike Edwards and Lonnie Johnson all leave the program. Until the younger players prove it in a game setting, it's hype. And until you can count on the hype to translate to reality and production, you have to keep replenishing the ranks.