Kentucky
Kentucky football has one commitment for its 2026 class. What’s behind the struggles?
Kentucky football: Mark Stoops addresses the team’s need for consistency
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops addresses the Wildcats’ need for consistency and is excited to see continuity with his players.
LEXINGTON — Following Kentucky football’s final practice of the spring April 12, longtime coach Mark Stoops acknowledged the harmony required in modern-day roster construction, a reality in which the transfer portal now rivals — and at some schools surpasses — high school recruiting in importance.
“As you move forward, I think you look at the strategy of it, and how many you’re actually going to take, you know what I mean?” said Stoops, referring to his program’s high school recruiting. “And what the balance is going to be between the portal and between high school guys. The high school recruiting for us is very good. We love the freshmen that we have on this team, and the guys that are going into their second year, we really feel good about.”
No two rosters are ever the same, of course.
“It’s what your needs are,” Stoops said. “Obviously, after last season, we needed to get some guys with some experience, with some playing time.”
To Stoops’ point, the Wildcats loaded up in the transfer portal during the winter window.
They added 20 transfers — just one fewer than their 2025 high school signing class, which featured 21 players.
The emphasis on the transfer portal as opposed to the high school ranks has lasted into this year, with teams having turned their attention to the 2026 recruiting cycle.
It’s been a struggle to this point for UK.
As of May 1, it has just one player committed: Jarvis Strickland, a four-star in-state offensive lineman from Paducah, got the ball rolling March 30.
Not only is that meager figure stunning juxtaposed against Stoops’ 12-year tenure. But the date is noteworthy as well.
The Courier Journal dove into the numbers to provide context for Kentucky’s issues it’s had in the 2026 class so far — and what it might mean for the future.
Strickland’s pledge was significant on two fronts.
One, removing the 2013 class, when Stoops had been on the job barely two months (he was hired in November 2012), March 30 marks the latest it had ever taken for Kentucky to earn its first commitment in a Stoops-led cycle.
Second, it puts UK on an incredibly short list of Power Four programs with one (or fewer) commitments in the 2026 high school class. Florida is the only other SEC school with just one commit. The other Power Four schools in the Lone-or-None Club (as of May 8): Colorado (one) and Wake Forest (zero).
It’s not as if Kentucky has entirely ignored next year’s group of high school graduates.
It’s just that the Wildcats have whiffed on multiple 2026 targets already.
UK was the first SEC school to offer Ohio offensive lineman Adam Guthrie and had made him a priority. In a decision that caught recruiting experts by surprise, Guthrie committed to Clemson on March 7. UK hosted linebacker Terry Wiggins for an official visit in April; in-state power Penn State didn’t even need an OV to earn Wiggins’ commitment May 2. Perhaps the most frustrating misses, given the school the recruits cast their lot with: St. Xavier linebacker Karsten Busch committed to Louisville on March 7; one day later, offensive lineman Joel Ervin did the same.
Though Ervin later decommitted and flipped to Miami, the fact the Cardinals beat the Wildcats on back-to-back days for prospects both were actively recruiting highlights the gap between the Bluegrass State’s two most prominent football programs in 2026.
U of L has 13 commitments, a dozen clear of UK.
Just how far off are the Wildcats’ 2026 efforts compared with previous years?
Using May 1 as the cut-off date for the following year’s class — for example, May 1, 2024, for the 2025 cycle — UK’s one pledge to this point is its fewest ever under Stoops. The previous low-water mark was two years ago, when it had two commitments for 2024 when the calendar flipped to May 2023.
Here’s the full breakdown:
- 2025: Six (As of May 1, 2024)
- 2024: Two (As of May 1, 2023)
- 2023: Five (As of May 1, 2022)
- 2022: Nine (As of May 1, 2021)
- 2021: Five (As of May 1, 2020)
- 2020: Three (As of May 1, 2019)
- 2019: Three (As of May 1, 2018)
- 2018: Seven (As of May 1, 2017)
- 2017: 12 (As of May 1, 2016)
- 2016: 16 (As of May 1, 2015)
- 2015: Six (As of May 1, 2014)
- 2014: Five (As of May 1, 2013)
It goes without saying Strickland won’t be Kentucky’s only 2026 commitment. Despite their misses elsewhere, there still are countless prospects the Wildcats could land.
The good news: The summer commitment window, when many college programs pick up pledges rapidly, is on the horizon. As Kentucky Sports Radio’s Adam Luckett noted after Wiggins’ commitment to Penn State, the Wildcats have 17 official visits slated in June alone. Perhaps one of those recruits will commit during — or shortly after — their visit.
One factor that can’t be downplayed about UK’s 2026 class, however, is the specter of the 2024 season. At 4-8 overall (1-7 SEC), it was Stoops’ worst record since his first season, when the Wildcats lost 10 of their 12 contests, including all eight in conference play. Few, if any, high school prospects are eager to jump on board after a display as desultory as Kentucky’s 2024 season was.
Putting last year’s record aside, here’s another hard truth: While high school signees traditionally have been the backbone of every program in college football, the transfer portal isn’t going anywhere.
“The normal team these days (is) going to turn over 35, 40, over 40 (players each offseason),” Stoops said after a 41-14 loss to Louisville in the 2024 season finale. “That is different. … I didn’t think or ever say that (the transfer portal) was perfect or the end-all, be-all. I said that last time: It’s not ‘end-all, be-all.’ You have to have a strong nucleus of some good players and then supplement it.”
Yet hope forever springs eternal in college football: Kentucky’s 2027 class already has matched the 2026 edition in terms of commitments.
Quarterback DJ Hunter was first in the fold for the Wildcats’ 2027 recruiting class, committing April 7.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Summer practice is full underway for the 2026-27 Kentucky men’s basketball squad. And while the on-court teaching is critical to the offseason, what’s happening off the floor is equally as important.
Earlier this week, head coach Mark Pope and the entire team made a trip to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, where they helped put together Father’s Day goodie bags, built toys, played board games with the kids, and shared laughs all around. Watching Franck Kepnang, Mason Williams, and Jerone Morton smile ear-to-ear while losing in a board game will make your heart full.
This was more than just a quick stop, though. This was about building real relationships and putting smiles on the faces of kids who deserve it. Returning center Malachi Moreno even reconnected with one of his new friends.
“There was a kid I’ve actually kept in touch with for a while. His name’s Jackson,” Moreno said Thursday. “Took some of my teammates in to meet him. I met him at Dance Blue. We’ve been playing Fortnite together. Got his PSN (PlayStation Network) tag and we’re going to play some Fortnite. Me, him, Kam (Williams), and Trent (Noah), we’re gonna play some Fortnite together.
“He’s such a cool kid. I think the guys really took in what it means to be at this brand. We walk in any room, we’re gonna brighten someone’s day. They might not be as fortunate as us but we’re taking time out of our day to go see them, and we’re having fun with it. I just wanted them to realize how much fun these kids are having with us.”
Judging by the video that UK put out on Thursday (which you can watch below) , it sure looks like everyone was having a blast. Some things are bigger than basketball.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Severe weather across the Commonwealth has led to downed trees, traffic impacts and thousands of power outages.
Extensive coverage will be available on air and on WKYT+, where people can stay updated on the latest storm threats and impacts.
Franklin County Damage
A house fire was caused by lightning striking the attic space above two bedrooms, the Franklin County Fire Department reports.
A child was reportedly awakened by smoke, and alerted the residents to danger. Everyone was able to get out of the home safely before fire crews arrived.
Crews say they were able to contain the fire to the attic, which reduced further damage to the home.
Grant County damage
The Grant County Judge Executive Chuck Dills declared a state of emergency for Grant County due to severe weather damage.
Mason County damage
The Washington Fire Department says crews have been busy with storm damage reports from early morning storms.
The Mason County Judge Executive Owen McNeill says most of the damage seems to be west of US 68 within or near the Maysville city limits. McNeill says trees and debris are in roads county wide, with several power lines down.
Jessamine County damage
Jessamine County Emergency Management posted on social media that multiple weather-related incidents and power outages Thursday morning have taxed their Emergency service teams
Officials say crews have responded to multiple flooded out roads, downed trees and at least four damaged structures including some commercial occupancies that had collapse of roof or structures.
If you experienced any damage, you are asked to message Jessamine County Emergency Management or submit a damage assessment report.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7 said KY 1267 at Cushingberry Lane in Jessamine County is closed due to a downed tree on a phone line.
Following severe weather, Ollie’s bargain outlet’s roof partially collapsed in Jessamine County according to emergency management. Emergency management is on the scene handling the situation.
The whole strip mall is closed due to a water leak and potential gas leak.
Show us your photos
Viewers are encouraged to submit any photos and videos of storm damage and impacts to WKYT. People can submit entries below.
Power outages
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, over 4,000 customers in Fayette County are without power, and over 57,000 customers are without power throughout Kentucky, according to Kentucky Power Outages.
In a social media post, Woodford County said it was monitoring outages and was in coordination with utility partners to work to restore power.
The main transmission line that provides power to Falmouth was damaged, leading the city to be without power according to Pendleton County Emergency Management. An LG&E crew is reportedly enroute to fix the problem, but Falmouth will have no power until the damage is repaired.
Road Conditions
Garrard County Emergency Management says several state and county roads are being covered in water due to the weather conditions. They advise for anyone travelling to use extreme caution and be aware of flooded areas.
If encountering a water covered road, turn around and don’t drive through it, Garrard County Emergency Management says. An alternate route is the safest option.
Rolling Acres is closed between Bender Drive and Rancho Drive in Frankfort due to storm damage according to the Frankfort-Franklin County Office of Emergency Management. Utility crews are making preparations for repair onsite.
U.S. 127 Business at mile point 1.4 in Anderson County was closed due to a downed tree, according to KYTC, and Midway Road is closed between Old Frankfort Pike and US 60 in Woodford County.
KYTC reports a downed tree at mile point 3.1 on Bryan Station Road in Fayette County. The road is currently blocked. Information will be provided as updates become available.
Old Frankfort Pike is also closed between Pisgah Pike and the Fayette County line due to a tree on utility lines, KYTC said.
The Harrodsburg Police Department says that the road at Moberly Road and Scooter Avenue is not drivable due to high water, and barricades are in place to prevent drivers from attempting to cross.
KYTC encouraged drivers to use caution while traveling and watch for roadway hazard, including downed trees, debris and powerlines.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jun. 17, 2026 | 10:25 PM
| PADUCAH
A drug trafficking investigation landed a Paducah man behind bars.
The weeks-long investigation by Paducah Police led them to 54-year-old Byrone K. Burns. Burnes was believed to be involved in moving illegal drugs through the area.
An undercover purchase was arranged, and detectives reportedly came away with more than ten grams of methamphetamine. Burns was arrested at his job just before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Following his arrest, detectives searched two locations in Paducah connected to Burns. They reportedly seized more than two pounds of marijuana, a hydrocodone pill, several thousand dollars in cash, and items consistent with trafficking.
Burns, who is said to have an extensive criminal history related to drugs and weapons, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and marijuana, and possession of hydrocodone. He was booked into the McCracken County Regional Jail.
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