Kicker recruits don't often receive nearly as much attention as prospects at other positions, but Chance Poore should not be overlooked.
Cats Illustrated tells you why in our Signing Day Profile series.
Bio in Brief
Kicker Chance Poore
6'3, 198 pounds
Anderson (S.C.) Westside
Rating: Three-stars (5.5 RR)
Other offers: N/A
Recruiting Overview
Much of Poore's time as a recruit was spent under the radar since, aside from Prokicker.com and a few other organizations specializing in the evaluation of kickers and punters, they just aren't in the public eye.
But Poore picked up an offer from Kentucky in late May, when it was already well established that the Wildcats would need to add a scholarship kicker to replace outgoing senior Austin MacGinnis. Poore was not the only kicker Kentucky targeted, but in the way he reciprocated the Cats' interest, and how quickly things moved between the player and the program, he took center stage quickly.
Poore took an unofficial visit to Kentucky early in June and committed to the Cats right around that time. He has not wavered since.
Poore participated in the Shrine Bowl earlier this month, which means he took his official visit the week before most of Kentucky's commitments.
Scouting Report
Poore is rated as one of the top kickers in the nation and it is believed that he has one of the strongest legs in his class. He has the ability to handle placekicking and/or punting duties, though he was primarily recruited for his ability to handle the former. Nonetheless, on punts he's shown strong hang time and distance (a 54-yarder in the Shrine Bowl, which pits the top senior football players from North and South Carolina against one another).
Poore has connected on a 48-yarder in a game for Westside, as a 16-year old in 2016, and in practice he has been able to extend his range much farther.
Poore also has the leg to kick the ball through the end zone on some kickoffs.
Forecast for 2018 & Beyond
Poore is one of the few players in Kentucky's class who will be expected to compete for and win a starting job in his first year with the Wildcats. Kentucky does not have another scholarship kicker on the roster. He has the leg to handle that task, but you never know how a player will fare until they get in a big game situation. Since so much of kicking is mental, building confidence through camp will be especially important. Poore will not be enrolling early.
If things go well, Poore could be a four-year starter. But it's tough to project that far in advance. For a team that should return as many starters as Kentucky will next year, Poore could be one of the most important but least talked about players on the team.
Quotable
"#1 Ranked Kicker in the Nation for 2018 class. An exceptional punter too. He can kick and punt for any college in the country at any level - right now. A very talented athlete who dominates his position and has shown great work ethic. He is already capable of launching NFL caliber kickoffs and punts."
