2016 KENTUCKY FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Name
Pos.
Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp.
Jordan Bonner
LB
6-5 220 So.-JC

Jaylin Bannerman
LB
6-5 220 Fr.-HS
T.J. Carter
DE
6-4 245 Fr.-HS
JaQuize Cross
DL
6-3 315 Fr.-HS
Kash Daniel*
LB
6-1 235 Fr.-HS
Luke Fortner
OT
6-6 305 Fr.-HS
Tobias Gilliam
DB
5-11 190 Fr.-HS
Jordan Griffin
DB
6-0 175 Fr.-HS
Gunnar Hoak*
QB
6-4 190 Fr.-HS
Dakota Holtzclaw*
WR
6-7 215 Fr.-HS
ZyAire Hughes
Athlete 6-1 190 Fr.-HS
Drake Jackson*
C
6-2 302 Fr.-HS
Stephen Johnson II* QB
6-3 190 Jr.-JC

Tate Leavitt*

OT

6-6

310

Jr.-JC

Kordell Looney
DT
6-3 285 Fr.-HS
Grant McKinniss
P
6-1 210 Fr.-HS
Naquez Pringle*
DL
6-2 330 Jr.-JC
Justin Rigg
TE
6-6 245 Fr.-HS
Davonte Robinson
CB
6-2 180 Fr.-HS
Asim A.J. Rose
RB
6-1 200 Fr.-HS
Kayaune Ross
WR
6-6 225 So.-JC

Benny Snell
RB
5-11 220 Fr.-HS
Roland Walder
LB
6-3 215 Fr.-HS
Jamar Watson
LB
6-3 225 Fr.-HS
Landon Young
OL
6-7 305 Fr.-HS

Hometown (High School/Previous College)

Lyndhurst, Ohio (Brush/
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College)
Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington Central)
Mableton, Ga. (Whitefield Academy)
New Market, Ala. (Buckhorn)
Paintsville, Ky. (Paintsville)
Sylvania, Ohio (Sylvania Northview)
Dayton, Ohio (Wayne)
Jonesboro, Ga. (Jonesboro)
Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman)
Columbus, Ohio (Worthington Kilbourne)
Paducah, Ky. (McCracken County)
Versailles, Ky. (Woodford County)
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
(Los Osos/Grambling/College of the Desert)

Thornville, Ohio (Sheridan/Hutchinson CC)

Springfield, Ohio (Springfield)
Findlay, Ohio (Findlay)
Georgetown, S.C. (Carvers Bay/Itawamba CC)
Springboro, Ohio (Springboro)
Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay)
Cleveland, Ohio (Garfield Heights)
West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West/
Phoenix College)
Westerville, Ohio (Westerville Central)
Dayton, Ohio (Trotwood-Madison)
Forestville, Md. (Bishop McNamara)
Lexington, Ky. (Lafayette)

* indicates player who enrolled in January and will participate in spring practice
Note: Class is eligibility for the 2016 season

Pronunciation Guide
JaQuize Cross........................... ja-QUEZ
Tobias Gilliam............................. GILL-ee-um
Kayaune Ross............................ KAY-waun

KentuckyFootball2016SigningDayBios

JordanBonner,Linebacker,65,220,So.JC,Lyndhurst,Ohio(Brush/NortheasternOklahomaA&M
College)RatedathreestartrecruitandtheNo.10juniorcollegelinebackernationallyby247sports...
Recorded37tackles,including10tacklesforlossandsevensacksasaredshirtfreshmanin2015forthe
Norsemen...Redshirtedthe2014season...PlayedwidereceiverandlinebackeratBrushHighSchool
underCoachJeffWells...Charted65tackles,including6.5forlossandtwosacksasasenior...Alsohad
twopassbreakups,twofumblerecoveriesandaninterception...EarnedfirstteamAllNortheastOhio...
Alsoastandoutbasketballplayer...Willhavethreeseasonsofeligibilityremaining...ChoseKentucky
overoffersfromLouisville,TennesseeandNebraska.

CoachStoopsonBonner:Jordanisalongexplosiveathletethatcanplayinspaceaswellasrushthe
passer.Hewillhavethreeyearsofeligibilitywhenhearrives,whichgiveshimtheabilitytodevelopin
oursystem.
JaylinBannerman,Linebacker,65,220,Fr.HS,Pickerington,Ohio(PickeringtonCentral)Atalland
speedylinebacker/defensiveendwhoisaconsensusthreestarprospectPHSpostedanimpressive
3410recordandwonfourstraightOhioCapitalConferenceChampionshipsduringhiscareer...
CoachedbyJaySharrett...EarnedfirstteamAllConferenceandsecondteamAllCentralDistricthonors
in2015...Asajuniorhetotaled87tackles,including17tacklesforalossinhelpingPickeringtongo
undefeatedintheregularseasonat100ThreestarprospectbyScout.com,whichrankshimasthe
fourthbestdefensiveendinOhioandthe56thbestdefensiveendinthenationScout.comsays,
Longframedathletewhoisrawbutshowssignsofbeingahighlevelplayerinthecomingyears.Length
willallowKentuckytodoacoupleofthingswithhim.Firsthecanstayatdefensiveendandaddbulk
withoutlosingathleticability.Hecouldalsoaddlessbulkandtakeastepbackandlineupasa
linebackerdependingupontheschemetheWildcatswanttorunRatedby247sportsasathreestar
prospectandasthe37thbestprospectinOhioTabbedbyESPNastheNo.37prospectinthestateof
Ohioandthe96thbestdefensiveendRatedbyRivalsasthe48thbestprospectinOhioAlsostarred
inbasketballandtrack&fieldasahighjumper...HadoffersfromPittsburgh,Illinois,Indiana,Michigan
StateandToledo.

CoachStoopsonBannerman:Jaylinisadynamicathletewhohasgreatsizeandlength.Hewasamulti
sportathleteinhighschoolwhohastheabilitytodevelopasastandupedgeplayer.

T.J.Carter,DefensiveEnd,Fr.HS,64,245,Mableton,Ga.(WhitefieldAcademy)Earnedfirstteam
AllSouthRegion6AandfirstteamAllCobbCountyhonorsasaseniorplayingdefensiveendand
offensivetackleatWhitefieldAcademy...Totaled68tackles,including10forlossasasenior...Also
chartedsixsacksand18quarterbackhurries...WastheWolfpackssackleaderasasophomoreand
junior...NamedDefensivePlayeroftheGamevs.Walkerafterrecordingsixtacklesforlossandasackin
additiontofourpancakeblocksontheoffensivelineasajunior...CoachedbyQuinnGray...ChoseUK
overMemphis,SamfordandWyoming.

CoachStoopsonCarter:T.J.isanexplosiveathletewhowewatchedontapeandlovedthewayhe
madeplays.Heisanaggressiveplayerthathasatremendousupside.
JaQuizeCross,DefensiveLine,63,315,Fr.HS,NewMarket,Ala.(Buckhorn)PronouncedjaQUEZ...
TalenteddefensivetackleisathreestarprospectbyESPN,Scoutand247sportsFinishedhisthree

yearcareerwith84totaltackles,10tacklesforalossandeightsacks,adding14QBhurriesandcausing
afumbleThreestarprospectbyESPN,tabbedasthe37thbestprospectinAlabamaandthe77thbest
defensivetackleTabbedbyScoutasathreestarprospect,thesecondbestdefensivetacklein
Alabamaandthe79thbestdefensivetackleinthenationRatedbyRivals.comasatwostarprospect
Tabbedby247sportsasathreestarprospect,the75thbestdefensivetackleinthenationandthe
40thbestprospectinAlabama...CoachedbyDavidOConner...Hadoffersfromseveralschoolsbut
choseKentuckyoverMinnesotaandPurdue.

CoachStoopsonCross:JaQuizecametoourcamplastsummerandimpresseduswithhisabilityand
technique.Hehasthesizeandworkethicweneedandisagreatadditiontoourteam.

LukeFortner,OffensiveTackle,66,305,Fr.HS,Sylvania,Ohio(SylvaniaNorthview)Athreestar
offensivetacklebyESPN,Rivalsand247sportsRatedasthe69thbestoffensivelinemannationallyand
the36thbestprospectinOhioby247sports...Alsoplayedguardandcenter...CoachedbyDoug
Downing...Scoutsays,"Physicalplayerdoesagreatjobofgettingandmaintainingleverageonce
engagedwithdefender.Majorityofthetimeplaysundercontrolandbalanced,showingtheabilityto
beatadefenderonown.Playedtackleandcenterinhighschool.Wefeelhesgottherawtalenttowork
withbutayearinacollegesystemwillhelphimwithhisfootworkandlearningmoreaboutpass
protection.SolidpickupfortheWildcatsasFortnerisaplayerwhowillbenefitfromaseasonortwoin
thecollegegame"...EarnedthirdteamAllOhioforDivisionII...NamedsecondteamAllNorthwest
Ohioin2014...DualsportathleteashealsowasacenterontheNorthviewbasketballteam...Honor
rollstudent...ChoseUKoverAkron,Cincinnati,Marshall,Maryland,ToledoandWesternMichigan.

CoachStoopsonFortner:Lukehasgreatsize.Hehastheabilitytoplaythreepositionsontheoffensive
lineandhegivesusthephysicalpresencewearelookingforupfront.Wearelookingforwardto
developingLuke.

TobiasGilliam,DefensiveBack,511,190,Fr.HS,Dayton,Ohio(Wayne)PronouncedTobiasGILLee
um...ConsensusthreestarcornerbackScouthashimrankedasthe87thbestcornerbackinthe
nationandthethirdbestcornerinOhioESPNrateshimasthe59thbestcornerbackinthenationand
the36thbestprospectinOhioRatedbyRivalsasthenationsNo.46cornerbackRivals.comsays,
He'stheultimatecompetitor.He'salwaysbringinghisbest.He'salwaysreadytoplayfootball.Hehasa
verygoodskillset.247sportsrateshimasthe68thbestcornerbackinthenationandthe30thbest
prospectinthestateofOhioHad46tacklesandtwointerceptionsasajunior...Recorded77tackles
with1.5sacksasasenior...Notchedaseasonhigh10tacklesina5617routofCenterville...Also
forcedtwofumblesandgrabbedtwointerceptionsin2015...NamedAPFirstTeamAllOhio,the
SouthwestDistrictandtheGWOCCentralDefensivePlayeroftheYear...HelpedleadtheWayne
WarriorstoanundefeatedregularseasonanditssecondstraightregionaltitleandappearanceintheD
1statechampionshipgame...Waspartofastingydefensewhichheldnineofits10opponentsto17
pointsorfewer...CoachedbyJayMinton...Waynefinishedthe2015seasonrankedeighthnationally
andsecondinthestateofOhio...HadrecruitingoffersfromseveralschoolsbutchoseUKoverOhio
State,PennState,Minnesota,PittsburghandWestVirginia.

CoachStoopsonGilliam:WeareveryexcitedaboutTobias.Hecomesfromastronghighschool
programandheknowshowtowin.Wevehadtheopportunitytoworkwithhiminthesummersat
campandwehavebeenveryimpressedwithhisabilityandworkethic.

JordanGriffin,DefensiveBack,60,175,Fr.HS,Jonesboro,Ga.(Jonesboro)Afourstarprospectby
Rivals,whichrateshimasthe15thbestcornerbackinthenationandthe16thbestprospectintalent
ladenGeorgia,191stnationally...ESPNtabshimasthe23rdcornerinthenationandthe34thbest
playerinGeorgiaRankedby247sportsasathreestarrecruit,asthenationsNo.37cornerbackand
the32ndbestprospectinGeorgiaScoutrankshimasathreestarprospectandthe46thbest
cornerbackoverall,thirdbestinGeorgiaNamedFirstteamAllStatebytheAtlantaJournal
Constitution...Atcorner,hetotaled15tacklesandnotchedapairofinterceptions...Alsoforcedone
fumbleandhadonefumblerecoveryAnexcellentwidereceiverashecaught68passesfor1,008
yardsand10touchdownsinhelpedleadtheCardinalstoan112overallrecordasasenior...Accounted
for412receivingyardsandthreetouchdownsasajunior,whilealsointerceptingonepass...Alsoplayed
basketballChoseUKoverAuburn,ClemsonandStanford.

CoachStoopsonGriffin:Jordanisprototypicalcornerback.Hehasthesize,instincts,speedand
techniquewearelookingforinaplayer.Hesagiftedathlete,agreatpersonandweareexcitedabout
hisfutureatKentucky.

ZyAireHughes,Athlete,61,190,Fr.HS,Paducah,Ky.(McCrackenCounty)Athreestarrecruitbyall
themajorrecruitingservices...Canplaymultiplepositionsafterseeingtimeatrunningback,
quarterback,widereceiveranddefensivebackinhighschool...Concludedhisprepcareerwithan
outstanding4,914passingyardswith46touchdowns,2,779rushingyardswith53touchdownsand
1,128receivingyardson89receptionsforanother10scores...Afterplayingquarterbackandreceiver
mostofhishighschoolcareer,hemovedtorunningbackhisseniorseasonandwasnamedthe2015
PurchaseAreaPlayeroftheYearbythePaducahSun...Compiled1,170rushingyards,374receiving
yardsandcombinedfor21touchdownsinhelpingleadtheMustangstoa103recordandaberthinthe
KHSAAClass6Aplayoffs...Earned2015AllStatehonorablementionbytheCourierJournal...Fifth
highestscorerinthestateasasenior,accountingfor128points(17TDruns,fourreceivingandone2
pointconversion)...Completed172of294passesfor2,446yardsand23scoreswithjusteight
interceptionsasasophomorequarterback...Alsoran116timesfor634yardsand16touchdowns...
CoachedbyShawnJacksonatMcCrackenCounty...PlayedhisfreshmanseasonatLoneOakHighSchool
beforetheMcCrackenCountyschoolsconsolidated...ForthePurpleFlash,hewas81of130passingfor
1,253yardsand14scoresinjustfivegames...Inaddition,heran61timesfor390yardsandnineTDs...
ChoseKentuckyoverLouisvilleandPurdue.

CoachStoopsonHughes:ZyAireisanothergreatinstateadditionforus.Heisanexplosivewide
receiverwithagreatabilitytochangedirectionandmakebigplays.Hewillhaveabrightfutureinour
program.

KordellLooney,DefensiveTackle,63,285,Fr.HS,Springfield,Ohio(Springfield)...Athreestarrecruit
whowasratedtheNo.57defensivetacklenationallyandNo.42playerinOhioby247sports...Rated
No.36byRivals...Totaled93tacklesandsevensacksinjusttwoseasonsofvarsityfootball...Didnt
startplayingvarsityfootballuntilhisjunioryearofhighschool...TwotimefirstteamAllGreater
WesternOhioConferencehonoree...SecondteamAPSouthwestAllDistrictasasenior...BlueGrey
AllAmericanBowlWatchList...TwosportathleteatSpringfieldashealsoplayedbasketball...Coached
byMauriceDouglass...ChoseUKoverLouisville,IllinoisandPittsburgh.

CoachStoopsonLooney:Kordellhasgreatsizeandquicknesstobeanimpactinteriordefensive
lineman.HecomesfromahighschoolprogramthatiscoachedbyUKalumMauriceDouglassandhewill
beagreatfitinoursystem.


GrantMcKinniss,Punter,61,210,Fr.HS,Findlay,Ohio(Findlay)...Afourstarrecruitwhoisratedthe
nationsNo.4punteraccordingtoScout...EarnedThreeRiversAthleticConferencefirstteamhonorsas
aplacekickerfourstraightseasonsandwasafirstteamselectionasapunterthreeseasonsinarow...
TwotimefirstteamAllNorthwestOhiohonoree...Converted38of40PATkicksand10of11field
goals,includingaseasonlong52yarderasasenior...Averaged39.4yardsonpuntsandput11of32
kicksinsidethe20yardline...Asajunior,averaged40.8yardson41punts,dropping12puntsinside
the20yardlineConverted40of42PATattemptsandwas5for8infieldgoalattempts,includinga
schoolrecord53yarderWhilekickingoffin2014,had44ofhis60kickoffsdownedfortouchbacks...
EarnedsecondteamAllStatehonorsasajunior,markinghissecondconsecutiveyearhonored
NamedMaxPreps2012FreshmanAllAmericanFirstTeam...AlsoearnedthirdteamAllOhioDivisionI
asafreshman...Forhiscareer,connectedon148of159PATattemptsand29fieldgoals...His235
pointstieshimforthesixthhighesttotalforpointsbyakickerintheOhioprepfootballrecordbooks...
OneoftheElite88highschoolseniorsselectedtocompeteinthe10thannualOffenseDefenseAll
AmericanBowlandthe2016OhioHighFootballCoachesAssociationNorthSouthAllStarClassic.

CoachStoopsonMcKinniss:Granthasanextremelystronglegandisversatilebecausehecankickoff
aswell.Welookforwardtohimsteppinginandcompetingforthestartingjobthisyear.

JustinRigg,TightEnd,66,245,Fr.HS,Springboro,Ohio(Springboro)A3startightendwhoisrated
theNo.47tightendandNo.43playerinOhioby247sports...Votedteamcaptainhisseniorseasonand
hauledin35catchesfor394yardsandatouchdown...AlsokeyinthePanthersperimeterrunand
passinggame...HelpedSpringborofinish113andadvancetothesecondroundoftheDivisionI,Region
2playoffs...NamedGreaterWesternOhioAllConference...Earnedaninvitationtothe2016OhioHigh
FootballCoachesAssociationNorthSouthAllStarClassic...Hauledin23catchesfor256yardsandfour
touchdownsasajunior...CoachedbyRyanWilhite...Alsoaletterwinnerandteamcaptainonthe
basketballteamatSpringboro,averaging9.4pointsand8.0reboundspergameasasenior...PickedUK
overBowlingGreen,Cincinnati,WestVirginia,EasternMichigan,Miami(Ohio),Ohio,Pittsburgh,Toledo
andWakeForest.,

CoachStoopsonRigg:WeareveryexcitedaboutJustin.Hehasthesizewearelookingforinatight
end.Hehastheupsidetobeaphysicalpresenceonthelineofscrimmageandhealsohastheabilityto
stretchthefield.

DavonteRobinson,Cornerback,62,180,Fr.HS,Lexington,Ky.(HenryClay)Ontopofbeingoneof
thebestcornerbacksinthestateasasenior,healsowasarunningback,usinghisspeedtoscoreseven
touchdowns(fourrushing,tworeceivingandone91yardkickoffreturn)...Asajuniorherushedfor492
yardson35carriesandsixtouchdowns,whilerecording32tacklesandtwointerceptions,includingone
foratouchdownondefense...Ledtheteamintacklesthreestraightseasons,includingateamhigh100
tacklesandoneinterceptionin2015...CoachedbySamSimpsonwhosaid,Davontepossessestheon
thefieldinstinctsandoffthefieldworkethicthatbelongtotheelites.Davonteisahardworker.He'sa
selflessindividual.Hedoesn'tcommandalotofattention;hedoesn'trequireallofthat.He'sateam
player...NamedDefensivePlayeroftheYearandfirstteamallcitybytheLexingtonHeraldLeaderasa
senior......A2015HeraldLeaderClassofCommonwealthhonoree...HelpedtheBlueDevilsadvance
tothesecondroundoftheplayoffswitha75recordin2015...Class3Astatetrackchampioninthe
100meters(10.85)asasophomore...Finishedsecondinthestatein2015inthe4x400relay...Winner
ofthe400meterdashandsecondinthe100metersatthe2015FayetteCountyPublicSchoolsTrack
andFieldChampionships...PickedUKoverGeorgia,Louisville,NotreDameandOhioState.


CoachStoopsonRobinson:Davontemaybethemostunderratedprospectinthisentireclass.Heisa
specialfootballplayerandtalent.Hehastheabilitytoplaymanypositionsbutwewillplayhimat
corner.Icantwaittoworkwithhim.

AsimA.J.Rose,RunningBack,61,200,Fr.HS,Cleveland,Ohio(GarfieldHeights)A3star,versatile
athletewhoisratedtheNo.34athleteinOhioby247sports...Steppedinforaninjuredteammateat
quarterbackandpassedfor616yardsand10touchdowns,whilerunning94timesfor770yardsand12
scores...Earnedaninvitationtothe2016OhioHighFootballCoachesAssociationNorthSouthAllStar
Classic...NamedtotheNortheastOhioConferenceAllLakeDivisionfirstteamasajuniorafterleading
histeamtoaconferencechampionshipandaDivisionIIplayoffappearance...CoachedbyChuck
ReislandwhosaidHesgottremendoussizeandhesgoingtogetbigger.Herunstrackandplayed
basketball.Hesjustaverytalentedplayerandagreatathlete...HasbeeninvolvedwiththeBoyScouts
for13years,earninghisEagleScoutin2014...PickedUKoverIndiana,IowaandMinnesota.

CoachStoopsonRose:A.J.isanotherbigtimeathletewiththeabilitytoplaymanypositions.Hewill
competeformajorplayingtimeatrunningbackthisseasonbecausehehasgreatsizeandbreakaway
ability.

KayauneRoss,WideReceiver,66,225,So.JC,WestChester,Ohio(LakotaWest/PhoenixCollege)
PronouncedKAYwaun...Athreestarrecruitoutofhighschool...Caught15passesfor210yardsand
twotouchdownsinfivegamesbeforeinjurysidelinedhimasafreshmanatPhoenixCollege(Ariz.)in
2014...Redshirtedthe2015season...Willhavethreeseasonsofeligibilityremaining...Willbereunited
withformerhighschoolteammatesKyleMeadows,MikelHortonandGeorgeAsafoAdjei...Named
secondteamAllGreaterMiamiConferencein2011forCoachLarryCoxatLakotaWestHighSchool...
Alsoplayedbasketball...PickedUKoveroffersfromArizonaState,IndianaandLouisville.

CoachStoopsonRoss:Kayauneisanotherbigwidereceivertarget.Hes6foot6andhastheabilityto
goupandcatchtheballatitshighpoint.Hewillhavethreeyearsofeligibilitytoplayandwelook
forwardtohimhavingabigimpactonourteam.

BennySnell,RunningBack,511,220,Fr.HS,Westerville,Ohio(WestervilleCentral)Threestar
recruitwhoranksinthetop50runningbacksnationallybyeverymajorrecruitingservice...Ratedas
theNo.41runningbacknationallyandNo.27juniorinOhioby247sports...RivalsrankshimtheNo.38
prospectinOhio...HelpedleadWestervilleCentraltotwoOhioCapitalConferencetitles,threestraight
DivisionIplayoffappearancesandanoverall356recordduringhisprepcareer...Totaled1,826rushing
yards,264yardsreceivingand29touchdownsasasenior...Ranfor241yardson20carrieswiththree
touchdownsinasinglegame...NamedOCCCardinalDivisionPlayeroftheYearandAPAllCentral
DistrictOffensivePlayeroftheYear...TwotimefirstteamAllCentralDistrictandDivisionIAllOhio...
Earnedaninvitationtothe2016OhioHighFootballCoachesAssociationNorthSouthAllStarClassic...
Equallyimpressivehisjuniorseasonwhenhecompiled2,077rushingyards,291receivingyardsand28
touchdowns(26rushingandtworeceiving)...CoachedbyJohnMagistro...ChoseUKoverIowa,
Cincinnati,BostonCollege,ToledoandWestVirginia.

CoachStoopsonSnell:Bennyishardnoseddownhillrunner.BeingtheOhioDivisionIplayerofthe
yearsaysalotabouthisabilities.Hecangetthetoughyardswhenweneedthemandhewillcompete
forplayingtimeaswell.

RolandWalder,Linebacker,63,215,Fr.HS,Dayton,Ohio(TrotwoodMadison)RankedtheNo.29
insidelinebackernationallyandtheNo.32prospectoverallinOhio,accordingtothe247Sports...Rated
theNo.40middlebackernationallybyRivals...Anallaroundathlete,playingwidereceiveraswell...
NamedSouthwestOhioDivisionIIIDefensivePlayeroftheYearandwasafirstteamallstateselection
afteranimpressiveseniorseasonthatsawhimrecord62tackles,includingsevensacks...Offensively,
hehad16receptionsfor280yardsandthreetouchdowns...Hadagreatjuniorseasonwith92tackles
andthreeforcedfumbles...HelpedTrotwoodMadisonadvancetoatleastthestatesemifinalsallfour
yearsofhisprepcareer...ThreeyearstarterforCoachJeffGraham...Reuniteswithhighschool
teammateKeiBeckham...ChoseUKoveroffersfromNebraska,Purdue,Cincinnati,Syracuse,Bowling
Green,PittsburghandToledo.

CoachStoopsonWalder:Rolandisanathleticlinebackerwiththeversatilitywelike.Hecanplayinside
oroutsidelinebackerandheisveryexplosivewithgreatinstincts.

JamarBoogieWatson,Linebacker,63,225,Fr.HS,Forestville,Md.(BishopMcNamara)Athree
starrecruitwhoranksasatop100outsidelinebackerbyScoutdespitenotplayingfootballuntilhis
junioryearofhighschool...Dualsportathleteinbasketballandfootball...Cameontherecruitingscene
afteragreatjuniorseasonwhichsawhimchart74tacklesanda75yardinterceptionreturnfora
touchdown...Asasenior,hehelpedleadtheMustangstotheWashingtonCatholicAthleticConference
playoffberthforthefirsttimeinfiveyearswith59tackles,includingfivesacksandtwointerceptions,
onehereturned68yardsforatouchdown...CoachedbyKeithGoganious...Asstandoutbasketball
player,healsoreceivedseveralcollegescholarshipoffersafteraveraging11.4pointsduringhisjunior
year...EarnedbacktobackMVPhonorsatBishopMcNamarainbasketball...ChoseUKafterreceiving
footballoffersfromOldDominion,Miami(Ohio),BostonCollege,Hampton,VirginiaandRutgers.

CoachStoopsonWatson:Hesanothergreatathletewhowasabasketballplayermostofhiscareerbut
hadagreatimpactonthefootballfieldthelasttwoyears.Hehastheathleticismandexplosivenesswe
arelookingforatoutsidelinebacker.

LandonYoung,OffensiveLineman,67,305,Fr.HS,Lexington,Ky.(Lafayette)
AfivestarrecruitbyRivalsand247Sports...No.1prospectinKentuckyNo.12overallprospectinthe
nationby247sports...NamedtopoffensivelinemanintheU.S.ArmyAllAmericanGamefortheWest
squadwhowon,379...RivalsnationalanalystMikeFarrellsaidHehastremendousfeetandlength.
YounghasalwayslookedthepartofafivestarandhewaseasilythebestoffensivetackleontheWest
teamattheU.S.ArmyAllAmericanBowl...HelpedtheGeneralsaverage36.7pointspergameand
advancetotheClass6Astatetitlegame...TwotimefirstteamallstateselectionbytheCourierJournal
andTheAssociatedPress...A2015HeraldLeaderClassofCommonwealthhonoree...Aphenomenal
athletewhowrestlesandparticipatesintrackandfield...Rankedatthestatestopwrestlerat285after
finishingfourthinthestateasajunior...Wasthe2014Class3Atrackandfieldchampionintheshot
putanddiscus...Namedthe2014GatoradeKentuckyBoysTrackandFieldAthleteoftheYear...2013
USATFNationalJuniorOlympicsTrackandFieldChampionshipsrunnerupinboththeshotputand
discus...CoachedbyEricShaw...OfficerinLafayettesFutureFarmersofAmericachapterandalsoa
memberoftheBetaClubandFellowshipofChristianAthletes...ChoseUKoveroffersfromAlabama,
AuburnandOhioState.

CoachStoopsonYoung:WhatcanyousayaboutLandonYoungexceptwhenyoulookuplefttacklein
thedictionarythereisapictureofhim.Hehasunbelievableathleticismandagilityforsuchabigman.

Heisyourprototypicallefttacklethateveryprogramwouldlovetobuildtheiroffensivelinearound.We
areexcitedtohavehimonourteam.