Justin Edwards recruiting roundtable and predictions

Justin Edwards is at the moment ranked because the No. 3 total participant within the 2023 class in 247 Sports activities’ rankings and is No. 4 total in Rivals’ rankings.

Regardless of the variations from outlet to outlet, Edwards is seen as a top-five participant within the 2023 class, and it’s a battle of SEC rivals to land the 6-foot-7 wing.

The Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers are believed to be in a two-man race for Edwards, with Kentucky being on the correct aspect of the newest momentum swing.

At first, it seemed like Edwards was Tennessee certain with the Vols holding majority of the Crystal Ball and FutureCast predictions. Nonetheless, with Edwards setting an announcement date for Monday, July 25^th, the momentum has swung in Kentucky’s favor.

As of proper now, Kentucky holds 100% of Crystal Ball predictions together with one from Travis Branham with a confidence stage of seven (excessive). As for FutureCast predictions, they’re 100% to Kentucky.

Will Edwards in the end determine to move to Tennessee or take his abilities to Kentucky and be a part of what could possibly be considered one of Calipari’s finest recruiting courses?

Check out A Sea of Blue’s workers predictions beneath, then pontificate within the feedback part!

Adam Haste

This has been an fascinating recruitment to say the least since Tennessee was seen because the heavy favourite for therefore lengthy.

Nonetheless, now that we’re only a few days away from Edwards’ announcement, it seems just like the momentum has swung in Kentucky’s route.

Touchdown Edwards could be huge for Kentucky and teaming him up with Kentucky commit Robert Dillingham, and doubtlessly DJ Wagner, would give the Cats an excellent trio for subsequent season.

Regardless of the Tennessee momentum for almost all of this recruitment, I imagine that Kentucky has swung this recruitment of their favor and can in the end land Edwards as a part of their 2023 class.

Prediction: Kentucky

Jason Marcum

Tennessee has repeatedly been a thorn in John Calipari’s aspect since Rick Barnes arrived in Knoxville, and that was beginning to embrace the recruiting path after the Vols gained out within the recruitment of Kennedy Chandler.

Nonetheless, Kentucky bounced again in an enormous manner by prying Cason Wallace away from Tennessee within the 2022 recruiting class. It’s simple to neglect there was a time Tennessee was the heavy favourite for Wallace earlier than Kentucky turned up the warmth and gained out in the long run.

That seems the identical state of affairs enjoying out with Justin Edwards, who Tennessee was trending closely for till Calipari took the recruitment over. Now, it seems Kentucky would be the selection Monday evening.

This could be a fully colossal win for Kentucky, as Edwards has the potential to complete because the top-ranked recruit within the 2023 cycle. He’s completely a basis piece you possibly can construct the 2023-24 Kentucky basketball workforce round, no matter what DJ Wagner does or every other 2023 recruit does.

And provides Cal credit score. He might lose a bit too usually on the court docket to his good buddy Barnes, however for essentially the most half, it’s the previous who’s nonetheless profitable the largest battles on the recruiting path.

Between how good Edwards is and beating out a heated rival for a man they almost had, this could be a win to essentially have fun, and I believe that’s what the Massive Blue Nation does Monday.

Additionally, it’s fairly uncanny how related Edwards seems in comparison with former Wildcats star Malik Monk.

Wanting forward, my early guess is the 2023-24 roster consists of Edwards, DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, CJ Fredrick, Lance Ware, Adou Thiero and Ugonna Kingsley. Whereas not fairly full, that’s a roster able to a Ultimate 4 run.

Prediction: Kentucky

Vinny Hardy

Can Kentucky have a fantastic class with out DJ Wagner?

Sure. However everyone knows what the influence of him selecting Kentucky could be. It will put to relaxation all the remainder of the close to misses with Cade Cunningham, James Wiseman, Shaedon Sharpe to a level, and so forth., and ease among the panic in followers’ minds.

Are issues as difficult for DJ as they seem from the skin trying in? Perhaps issues are crystal clear for him so far as his choice is anxious. Who is aware of.

I believe when the mud lastly settles, he in the end chooses Kentucky.

Prediction: Kentucky

Ethan DeWitt

This recruitment has been an fascinating one to comply with over the course of the final a number of months.

It appeared to nearly be a lock that Edwards would find yourself in Tennessee’s class, however then in swooped John Calipari to revive the connection with the gifted ahead. Ever since that second, the Cats have been gaining increasingly more momentum. That hasn’t stopped along with his announcement now solely days away.

Edwards could be one other glorious addition to the category of 2023 and continues to push UK again to the highest of the recruiting rankings. With Edwards within the fold alongside Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, and doubtlessly DJ Wagner, it might be laborious to discover a higher 1-3 place group.

Coach Calipari took over this recruitment with the intention of securing a dedication from one of many prime gamers within the class. And he’ll just do that when Edwards pronounces on Monday.

Prediction: Kentucky

Tristan Pharis

Selfishly, Justin Edwards often is the remaining 2023 Kentucky goal that I would like essentially the most. In fact, I say this with Kentucky already securing the commitments of Robert Dillingham and Reed Sheppard — two 5-star guards — however Edwards often is the most full participant the 2023 class has to supply.

Standing 6-foot-7, 180 kilos Edwards has nice athleticism and dimension. He’s proficient in most areas, with room for enchancment. On prime of all that, he’s aggressive, however not often performs uncontrolled and has good basketball IQ.

Speaking to him at EYBL, Edwards talked about Kentucky’s pitch and the way the workers thinks he could possibly be the following nice Kentucky participant. I believe that turns into a actuality.

Prediction: Kentucky