Visitors Swarming to Kroger Field for Will Stein’s First Big Test Against Alabama
LEXINGTON, KY — One of Kentucky's biggest home game in years doubles as the biggest recruiting weekend of the Will Stein era, and the future Wildcats aren't shy about what they expect to see.
Kentucky opens SEC play Saturday afternoon against #12 Alabama at Kroger Field, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. It's Stein's first conference game as a head coach. The Cats opened the Stein era with a 45-13 win over Youngstown State behind Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.
History is not on Kentucky's side against Alabama. The Tide have won seven straight in the series. But, Stein and his class is confident they can change that. He has been open about what he wants from the crowd, calling for the loudest game in Kentucky football history. The recruits in the stands will be part of that.
Predictions from Recruits/Commits
Four-star offensive tackle Dominic Black is going big: "My score prediction is 42-38 UK. I'm super excited to be back down in Lexington and watch this game. I thought UK played very well last Saturday and excited to see what they can do here soon."
Four-star safety Tristin Hughes kept it to the numbers: "Kentucky 34 - Alabama 28."
Fellow four-star safety Marquis Bryant took the long view: "It will be two SEC teams going at it, and with SEC ball it's any given weekends. Go Cats."
Three-star running back Mason Ball is watching the ground game. "Now that Kentucky has all there weapons on offense on the field I'm ready to see how efficient the run game will be. 35-28 UK Wins." It'll be Ball's first game at Kroger Field, and he said he's ready to see how live it gets.
Three-star offensive lineman Reed Gerken likes the health report: "Yep I'll be there! Feeling really good going into the game this weekend. I thought UK looked really good against YSU. With our defense guys that were out last week back this weekend it'll help a ton. I think uk wins 31-28."
Three-star offensive lineman Brady Hull is all Big Blue, “Cats by 90. 42-28.”
Three-star safety Larron Westmoreland: "I got us by 3. 31-34."
Three-star receiver Austin Coles thinks Joe Sloan's offense is the difference. "Cats gonna upset Bama. The offense gave so many diff looks last week their defense is gonna have to decide where to focus and then when they do Coach Sloan gonna hit them with something else."
The uncommitted visitors are excited too. Four-star EDGE Antonio Thomas Jr.: "Hoping for an upset but can't wait to be there in see what the atmosphere is like."
2028 three-star running back Juelz Chiron-Robinson: "I am very excited heading into this game. I think Kentucky is going to come out hot. I've been getting to see these guy move and they have put in alot of hard work in this summer. I can't wait to see their atmosphere and the energy the players bring. I'm also very excited to connect with the coaches even more."
Visit List:
2027:
Four-Star QB Jake Nawrot (IL) - Kentucky Commit
Four-Star OT Dominic Black (OH) - Kentucky Commit
Four-Star S Tristin Hughes (OH) - Kentucky Commit
Four-Star S Marquis Bryant (NC) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star OL Brady Hull (KY) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star OL Reed Gerken (OH) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star EDGE Griff Galloway (NC) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star S Larron Westmoreland (KY) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star RB Mason Ball (AR) - Kentucky Commit
Three-Star WR Austin Coles (FL) - Kentucky Commit
2028:
Five-Star DL Kellan Hall (KY)
Four-Star EDGE Antonio Thomas Jr (FL)
Four-Star OL Ryan Walls (KY)
Four-Star OT John Paul Carrico (KY)
Four-Star DB Antwaun Adams (TN)
Four-Star S Phoenix Evans (FL)
Four-Star TE Quinn Weber (NJ)
Three-Star CB Ryan Drakeford (MD)
Three-Star RB Juelz Chiron-Robinson (PA)
2029:
Four-Star RB Cartae Ligon (OH)
Four-Star TE Caiden Snow (IN)
Four-Star S Braylen Bedford (TN)
The 2028 group is the headline. Kellan Hall is the top prospect in the state and one of the best defensive linemen in the country, and Kentucky getting him on campus for a game like this is the kind of visit that matters. Walls & Carrico are in the same boat as Hall.
Kentucky doesn't need to win to make the trip worth it. But if the commits' predictions hold up, this becomes a weekend nobody in the building forgets.
